Guiding The Young Ones

Category: The Poetry Corner

A collection of heartfelt poems, inspired by the wonder, challenges and everyday beauty of early years. These verses are written to uplift, reflect and connect – with the hearts of educators, families and all those who nurture little lives.

  • Beyond the Snapshot 

    Beyond the Snapshot 

    How we long for you to see,
    The futures grown with love, so free.
    In settings big, in settings small,
    We nurture, guide, and give our all.

    How we wish you saw the joy,
    Shaped by patience, love, and toil.
    The endless hours, the years of play,
    The care poured in, day after day.

    But you arrive and only view,
    A fleeting snapshot — an hour or two.
    A single moment, a passing glance,
    And yet from this, you cast your stance.

    How we wish you understood,
    The sleepless nights, the endless ‘shoulds’.
    The shadow cast, the constant weight,
    Of knowing one grade can seal our fate.

    You’ll never see the whispered song,
    The gentle hand when days feel long.
    The battles fought, the fears made small,
    The love that underpins it all.

    This work is heart, it’s sweat, it’s tears,
    It’s hope invested through the years.
    And yet reduced, unfairly guessed,
    By one short visit, one-day test.

    Yes — hold us to account with care,
    But meet us with respect that’s fair.
    A system shaped to guide, not take,
    To honour all that is at stake.

    So, together we raise this hopeful plea:
    There’s so much more than what you see.
    See children thriving, futures bright,
    Held in our hands, our hearts, our light.

    ©️ – Poem by The Young Ones Childminding 

    *A poem for the Early Years and Education sector, on the unseen weight of inspection, for those who promote, protect and inspire play — written by Georgina Young (The Young Ones Childminding) 

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    • The Unfair Rule 

      The Unfair Rule 

      Being a great childminder,

      Is the most rewarding job.

      But there is an unfair ruling,

      That makes us all want to sob. 

      Anyone in our family,

      Cannot use us for childcare.

      Because they can’t claim funding,

      It’s incredibly unfair! 

      The parents have the added stress,

      They need to find a new setting.

      But the fact that it can’t be us,

      Leads to anxiety and fretting! 

      The little ones they suffer,

      They don’t get our love and care.

      They miss out on our teachings,

      Because they simply can’t be there.

      Or we have to give a free place,

      Yet we have a set ratio.

      So we struggle financially,

      It feels like quite a blow!

      We still have all our bills to pay,

      How will we make ends meet?!!

      Do I not take on my family,

      Or do I simply not eat?! 

      Now we don’t want to cheat the system,

      So when will the government see?!

      We just want fair childcare choices,

      And to help our family! 

      ©️ – Poem by Georgina Young – Guiding The Young Ones

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      Pages: 1 2

    • Spring hygge 

      Spring hygge 

      A change in the weather,

      As spring comes along,

      Buds blooming on trees,

      As the birds sing their song. 

      The sun is shining,

      High up in the sky,

      The insects reappearing,

      And catching our eye. 

      Back out come the microscopes,

      As we search for more bugs,

      Laughter fills the air, 

      Fun and happiness hugs. 

      The array of bright colours,

      As flowers start to bloom,

      Exploring lifecycles,

      Watch metamorphosis resume. 

      There is so much to learn,

      As spring fills the air,

      But most importantly with nature ,

      It’s important we care. 

      ©️ – Poem by Georgina Young – Guiding The Young Ones 

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    • Forever My Child

      Forever My Child

      I prayed every bedtime,

      For a special child like you.

      And when I saw your sweet face,

      No one else’s would do.

      Your skin was all wrinkled,

      Your lip all tucked in.

      Just seeing you was,

      The happiest I’ve been. 

      You’ve cried and you yelled

      You’ve pooped and been sick.

      Youve thrown the odd tantrum,

      And thrown the odd fit.

      But if you ask if I love you, 

      Of course I always do.

      There is nobody on earth,

      Quite as special as you.

      I love every freckle,

      I love every curl.

      I love every giggle,

      You are my whole world.

      I love every second with you,

      I treasure each smile,

      You’re my reason for living,

      You make life worthwhile.

      But you’re growing up quickly,

      And soon you’ll take flight.

      And I’ll be alone,

      With my memories each night.

      But no matter how far,

      Or how big you may be.

      You’ll always be little,

      When you’re safe here with me.

      ©️ – Poem by Georgina Young – Guiding The Young Ones

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    • A Poem for My First Child

      A Poem for My First Child

      Before there was you,

      Life had less stress.

      No constant worries,

      No cleaning your mess.

      Before there was you,

      I could have a lie in.

      Not up at dawn,

      Taking nappies to the bin.

      Before there was you,

      I could shower alone.

      Stay out til late,

      Spend hours on the phone.

      Before there was you,

      I could choose my tv.

      Instead I watch Mr tumble,

      Each day on repeat.

      Before there was you,

      I could get ready at leisure.

      But my love for you now-

      I simply can’t measure.

      My life has changed completely,

      But this much is true.

      I never knew pure love,

      Until I had you.

      Suddenly you’re not a baby,

      And I’m sat asking why.

      And how we take for granted,

      How fast years go by.

      So I will treasure each second,

      Each sweet memory,

      Because always in my heart,

      You’ll be my baby.

      ©️ – Poem by Georgina Young – Guiding The Young Ones

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    • The Essential Sector – a Poem to the DFE

      The Essential Sector – a Poem to the DFE

      They once called us key workers,

      And they said our roles were vital.

      But suddenly our voice doesn’t matter, 

      They were quick to take our title. 

      They say “join teaching early years, 

      It’s a meaningful, rewarding career”.

      But they take away with the other hand, 

      And for the future, we all fear. 

      At the moment early years,  

      Is getting pushed right off the rails.

      Please know our country will crumble,

      If our essential sector fails!

      So what do we do when there’s nothing left,

      So many are running on empty…

      Trying to keep our settings alive, 

      Yet your advertising campaign’s got plenty.

      Retention crisis, settings closing down,

      How will we stop from sinking?!

      Yet they reduce our ways to make ends meet,

      We all scream “what were they thinking”?!

      Changing goalposts, more admin, 

      Yet no increase in pay.

      Soon new-borns will be forced in schools,

      If they keep getting their way. 

      Despite the fact that research shows,

      Through play, young children thrive. 

      Child-led, freedom, love and nature, 

      No – the classroom is the DFE drive. 

      “Self employed, well not anymore”,

      The childminders all cry!

      But no holiday pay, no benefits,

      And no pension, we all sigh. 

      The nurseries need to pay their staff,

      Funding is not enough!

      “We are becoming unsustainable”,

      But the government says it’s ‘tough’. 

      The parents need more childcare, 

      “Our jobs require us in”.

      But settings are all closing down, 

      “No one can fit us in”.

      Every single child needs quality,

      Education, nurture and care.

      But so many practitioners are leaving,

      There will soon be no one there. 

      No, our job is not a 9-5, 

      We work more than a 10hr day.

      We’ve built our provisions with time and love,

      Yet now we have no say.

      Despite love and passion, 

      These choices are stealing that drive, 

      Without change our essential sector,  

      Will never be able to survive. 

      ©️ – Poem by Georgina Young – Guiding The Young Ones

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    • Just a Childminder… 

      Just a Childminder… 

      I wear many hats,

      within my busy day,

      As I help each child,

      Learn through their play. 

      I follow their lead,

      As we go off exploring,

      One thing is for certain,

      Our day’s never boring. 

      I am often a gardener,

      A chef and a baker,

      An artist at work,

      A creative play maker. 

      I am a planner, a preparer,

      For spontaneous days,

      I am a nurse for,

      those accident prone days. 

      I provide opportunities,

      For a role play adventures,

      I pack forest school bags,

      For when we go off and venture. 

      I am a nature lover,

      And encourage outdoor fun,

      I am a story teller,

      But we can’t just read one.

      I change many nappies,

      Do a hundred toilet trips,

      But I am also a pirate,

      That sails on their ships.

      I am a feelings trainer,

      To support big emotions,

      And I’m also a scientist,

      Who helps to make potions. 

      I am a mathematician, 

      A confidant and a friend,

      I scaffold their learning,

      Then with that I extend.

      I prepare for the future,

      And with teaching I’m prudent,

      But they also teach me,

      So furthermore I’m their student. 

      I love and I care for them,

      Right from the start,

      For each special child,

      No, they won’t leave my heart.

      So really I do many jobs,

      And one thing is for sure,

      I’m not “just a childminder”,

      I am so much more…

      ©️ – Poem by Georgina Young – Guiding The Young Ones

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    • What Did They Learn? 

      What Did They Learn? 

      You know you love your children 

      And want them to have fun and play, 

      But in your thoughts you’re wondering 

      What they have learnt today?

      They said they found a butterfly 

      And it flew up to the sky,

      But they gained a curiosity 

      And got them asking why? 

      They said they drew a picture 

      You saw some scribbles on a page,

      But they were developing their muscles 

      For that later writing stage. 

      They said they climbed a tricky tree 

      Though they then got a high five,

      But they really learnt to keep going 

      And continue giving it a try. 

      They said they played dressing up 

      And became a dragon big and red,

      But they were building imagination 

      And creativity in their head. 

      They said they played hide and seek

      And it was so much fun to play,

      But it taught them many social skills 

      And they made a friend today. 

      They said they read a story

      And it had a funny rhyme, 

      But they gained a special love for books 

      To last ‘til the end of time. 

      So when you’re worried they’re just playing 

      And they might fall way behind,

      Know they’re busy learning oh so much 

      In their body, soul and mind. 

      ©️ – Poem by Georgina Young – Guiding The Young Ones

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    • Whatever The Weather 

      Whatever The Weather 

      Playing outside, 

      In snow, rain or sun.

      Whatever the weather,

      We have lots of fun. 

      Chasing the leaves, 

      And searching for bugs.

      Exciting natures walks,

      And happiness hugs. 

      Splashing in puddles, 

      Dancing in the rain.

      Rolling down big hills, 

      We don’t care about stains. 

      Because wherever we go,

      And whatever we do.

      We do so much learning, 

      We’re taught something new.

      So when we take home,

      Clothes to be washed and hung.

      Know we’ve enjoyed every second, 

      Of just being young. 

      🍁 🦋 🌱 🌧️ ☀️ ❤️

      ©️ – Poem by Georgina Young – Guiding The Young Ones Ones

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    • Autumn Hygge 

      Autumn Hygge 

      Cosy evenings are coming,

      Mornings start feeling cool,

      The children are returning,

      All back to their school. 

      The seasons are changing,

      A chill starts in the air,

      Rain drops start falling,

      And wetting our hair.

      The trees change their colours,

      Leaves tumble to the floor, 

      We start closing the windows,

      And shutting the door. 

      The heating flicks on,

      Dark nights drawing in,

      Lamps and fluffy blankets,

      Let the Hygge feeling in.

      Because it’s life’s simple pleasures, 

      It’s those moments in time, 

      Were we feel oh so grateful, 

      And our souls feel sublime. 

      So light up those candles,

      Grab a hot cuppa tea,

      Bake a warm apple pie,

      (Then please share it with me).

      Slow down, enjoy presence,

      And snuggle together,

      Spend time with your loved ones,

      Make memories that last forever. 

      ©️ – Poem by Georgina Young – Guiding The Young Ones

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