A Love Letter to the Parents on the Hard and Beautiful Days
Whether you have a newborn curled into your chest, a toddler exploring the world with determined little footsteps, an older child who seems to grow and change by the hour, or even one who…
Holding On to Hope: The Reality and Resilience of Early Years Today
There is no denying it anymore: the early years sector is standing in the middle of a storm. Childminder numbers continue to fall at an alarming rate. Nurseries are closing their doors. Practitioners —…
Suspended, but Silenced: The Hidden Weight of Childminding
Recently, I received a heartfelt message from a fellow childminder. Their words have stayed with me, not only because of the pain behind them, but because they shine a light on something rarely spoken…
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,…
The Hidden Weight We Carry in Early Years
Every morning, I open my door with a smile. No matter how little I’ve slept, no matter if my head is heavy with worry, no matter if I’m feeling run down — that first…
Simple Forest School Activities for Little Explorers
There’s something magical about the forest — the way the light dances through the trees, the crunch of leaves under little feet, and the freedom children feel when they’re surrounded by nature. Forest School…
From My Heart to Yours — On Letting Go
This week, I say goodbye to a very special little person — a child who has been with me for over three years. Since they were tiny. Since the early wobbly steps and sleepy…
Not Built to Sit Still: Defending Childhood in an Age of Pressure
A Barefoot Conversation Why play, presence, and connection matter more than the DFE’s version of “school readiness” A barefoot conversation with a ladybird.That’s what stopped me in my tracks. Tiny toes curled against the…
What Inspires You?
Inspiration is everywhere — sometimes loud and life-changing, sometimes quiet and steady. Often, we don’t even realise we’ve been inspired until we look back and see how far we’ve come, guided by the encouragement,…
The Words We Choose: Language, Connection and Childhood
Not long ago, one of the children in my care was having a quietly difficult morning. There hadn’t been a dramatic outburst or any obvious signs of upset — just a certain stillness in…
The Things They Teach Me
Lessons from little ones — and how they’ve helped me grow, too. When I began my journey in early years education, I stepped into it with open arms — ready to nurture, guide, and…
Filling Their Banks: How Tiny Moments Build a Kinder World
here’s a beautiful analogy I heard recently that’s stayed with me ever since. It came from Gable House Nursery, and it goes like this:Every child has a bank.As early years educators, we are responsible…
Dandelion Sensory Playdough – Simple Play to Spark Big Magic
This nature-inspired sensory activity is perfect for spring and celebrates the simple joy of playing with what the season offers. Using dandelions collected by the children, we create homemade playdough together — combining fine…
Top Tips for Treasure Baskets: Inspiring Curious Minds Through Sensory Play
What is a Treasure Basket? A treasure basket is a simple yet powerful play resource designed for babies and young children, particularly those in the sensory-motor stage of development. It’s essentially a shallow basket…
The Power of Child-Led Play: Why Following Children’s Interests Matters
This week in our setting, we’ve journeyed through all kinds of learning adventures. Our Young Ones discussed worms and, before long, the children had sparked a full-on nature investigation adventure and helped create their…
This is More Than a Job – This is My Passion.
Halfway through my tidy-down and reset for the next day, I was suddenly hit by a wave of emotion – an overwhelming feeling of contentment and gratitude. I paused and looked around our garden…
Magical Mirrors: Enhancing Play and Learning Through Reflection
Some people have been asking why mirrors are often used in play and learning invitations, so I thought I’d share a few reasons why they can be such powerful additions to your provocations -…
Let There Be Light: Illuminating Play for Young Explorers
Light has a magical way of capturing children’s attention – and their imagination. Whether you’re an educator setting up a provocation or a parent looking to spark curiosity at home, incorporating light into play…
The Importance of Continual Professional Development (CPD) in Early Years Education
In the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of early years education, there is one thing I always strive for: continual growth. As an educator, I believe that we should never stop learning, evolving or reflecting on…
Building Strong Relationships with Young Children: The Importance of Attachment
As early years educators, whether you’re a childminder or a nursery practitioner, one of the most important aspects of your role is to create a safe, nurturing and supportive environment for the children in…
Let’s Talk About – Domestic Violence and Abuse: Support, Information and Reassurance
Domestic violence or abuse can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. If you’re worried that someone might notice or check on the pages you’ve visited, the Women’s Aid website offers guidance on…
Let’s Talk About – Car Seat Safety
Cold Weather and Car Seat Safety Winter means we need to keep our little ones warm, but did you know that babies and children should not wear coats or snowsuits in the car? ❌…
Calm Down Box/Basket
What is a Calm Down Basket/Box? We all experience moments when we feel stressed, overwhelmed or dysregulated – these feelings are completely normal, all be them unpleasant! A calm down box is a wonderful…
A Message of Love for All the Tired Mums, Dads, Carers and Guardians Out There…
Parenting is tough. There’s no denying it. Yes, there are so many beautiful, joyful moments, but let’s be honest – there are also some really hard ones. Our little ones don’t come with a…
Let’s Talk About Food, Food Aversions, and Picky Eaters
Some children eat everything put in front of them, while others require a bit more encouragement. It’s completely normal for children to go through phases of being picky about what they eat but I…
Let’s Talk About – Schematic Play
Understanding Schematic Play: Supporting Children’s Development Through Repeated Actions Watching children at play is truly fascinating! Some children seem to have a clear vision of what they want to achieve, while others may appear…
How Long Should You Keep Out Learning Invitations and Provocations?
The answer to this question isn’t set in stone, as there is no “one-size-fits-all” timeline. How long you choose to keep specific resources or materials available will depend on several factors, such as the…
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…
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…
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…
Guiding The Young Ones 