About Me
Since I was young, I’ve had a passion for education and childcare. I’ve been gaining valuable experience throughout the years as an Early Years Teacher, and now I provide care in my home. I am ready, willing, and able to provide your children with the care they need.
My Experience
I’ve worked with children in different capacities for years. I understand how difficult it is to go to work and leave your children with someone else, which is why I treat your children as though they were my own. I’m kind, patient, and loving, so contact me today to find out how I can help you and your child.
Early Years Teacher
May 2009 - July 2017
Every mother knows that one of the hardest, if not the hardest, jobs in the world is being a full time mum. As an Early Years Teacher I’ve had my share of experience taking care of children, all with very different personalities and whims. Teaching them important life values while they’re under my care is what I’m most praised for.
I worked as both a Reception and Nursery Teacher, looking after and educating children aged 3-5. Therefore I have a working knowledge of EYFS and the level that children need to begin their school life.
I have taught children with different abilities from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. I have delivered speech therapy sessions and worked with families to provide care for children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).
Qualifications
I have completed the following courses:
BA (Hons) Teaching
Level 3 Forest School Leader
Pacey HBCA (Home Based Childcare Award)
Safeguarding
Paediatric First Aid
Food Hygiene
Muddy Puddle teacher
I am most proud to be Hygge accreditated where I bring different strands of my experience together to deliver child led learning
I am always continuing professional development.
My file is available to see all courses completed.
Childminder
I became a childminder in 2017 while on mat leave with my youngest daughter Piper. I completed all OFSTED checks while I was still teaching and left to become my own boss. I had free reign finally to do what I felt was right for the children.
I did drive my husband crazy as I changed cupboards and resources often weekly, sometimes daily (ooops!!). However, I felt i was doing the best I could for the children and within 9 months I think I proved that when I got THE CALL (argh!!!!). I had a 4 hour inspection and the outcome was OUTSTANDING YAY! I must have been doing something right as I definitely did not expect that outcome on my first inspection, especially after only 9 months of learning the ropes.
Here is my report...
http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report
Since then I have continued my journey to improve my practice which led me to become a Muddy Puddle Teacher and Hygge accredited. I have vastly changed my resources along the way too. It all started with a Grimm’s rainbow which inspired me in more ways than I can express.
Muddy Puddle Teacher
I was looking for other Forest School type courses to complete and found Muddy Puddle Teacher.....
https://themuddypuddleteacher.co.uk/
I was intrigued by the eco side of this approach as I felt being a forest School leader I was taking things into the forest such as strings, feathers and other items such as white boards etc. I loved not necessarily having to take anything with me and simply using the nature around us.
The eco ness and the slower pace then led me on to stumbling upon hygge.......
Hygge in the Early Years
Hygge in the Early Years has become a way of life as well as part of my practice. I could not stop completing the course whenever I could, which should have taken 12 months ( it actually took me 4 months!). I loved everything about this approach and since have brought it into my home life too. I felt I had found my place with very like minded people and have since made some very good friends through the love of hygge.
Strangely there has been some Danish background to me all of my life without me really understanding it. My biological father lived there from me being about 18 months old where he lived until he died in 2010. I visited Denmark myself in 2015 to see where he lived and met some of his friends and family.
I have since become an ambassador for Hygge in the Early Years and spread the love where I can.....
https://www.hyggeintheearlyyears.co.uk/
Hygge to me Is that feeling of calm and cosiness. Once i completed the course I set out to change my childminding practice more than I could imagine. I built a cabin in my garden where I have a purpose built space that brought all elements of hygge to my childminding practice. This then allowed me to create hygglig spaces in my home too. Happy places!
THE SETTING
I have a dedicated cabin in the garden that is set up for children to freely choose toys and activities. I also have a large garden which includes a water tray, tuff tray, mud kitchen, climbing frame, swings and slide as well as a large area for bikes and ride on toys.
The Cabin
The cabin was built by myself, my husband Bill, my Dad and good friend Ant (who also happens to be mindee Dad too). It took WAY longer than the sales guy said it would! We started in February 2020 and finished pretty much on my birthday in March. I moved everything in and BAM covid-19 and lockdown before we had a chance to use it.
I loved every minute of building it myself, well almost, (there were many tears along the way!). But I have stories and memories of the complications and fun we had. My parents were on board with everything and the children love it too. I was able to Bring my dream to life.