Step by Step Early Years Consultancy

05/11/2023

NEW OFSTED POSTER!!!

Don't forget to print and display!

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/poster-for-parents-childcare?fbclid=IwAR3UNeTzQNd4PPDnAb6GejzgnB_PJIxWvbfdA8l2c2jG9SefyfeAJa78sHs

Childcare services can display this poster. It has information about our responsibilities and how parents can contact us.

10/07/2023

Childminder Appreciation Week 😍🥰
Thank you to all childminders for the hard work and love you do every day!

🌟 ❤️ Childminder Appreciation Week ❤️🌟
I didnt even know this was even a week!!
But while it is...
Thank you to all those childminders who have cared and loved little ones over the years.
Thank you to every single childminder I have had the joy to meet.
Thank you to those childminders who have become my friends.
Not forgetting every assistant I have had the pleasure to employ here your work and care never went unnoticed!
Thank you to my own sons childminder Mel who used to run mels mini treasures who became a very important, loved, part of the family ❤️❤️
For all that we all do. In hard times. Always supporting. Not just a childminder but a friend, sometimes a therapist 🙃🤣 for doing everything possible to make sure the children grow in to bright loved and cared for little humans ready for the big bad world. And sometimes (not all) for very little recognition for all we do.

04/07/2023

Free support for childminders working with 0-5

https://www.hempsalls.com/covid-recovery-childminders

Childminder by day. Area lead for the childminder mentor programme by night.
Lovely walsall childminder network meeting with Thrive stronger practice hub. Something amazing hearing people finally wanting to support and help childminders! People who want to make a difference to early years!!!!!
Thankful for the opportunity to talk about the support available for childminders for free until end of summer term 2024!!

01/07/2023

It may be a Saturday...but it is the first webinar of my EARLY YEARS SENCO LEVEL 3 training with Best Practice Network.
Always looking at courses, training and documents to enhance my setting and ensure that all children through our doors have the best quality of childcare ❤️

19/06/2023

Last week the children were interested in the shadows left by items in the sunshine.

From their interests we are exploring this further this week and really enjoying the experience.

Curriculums and activities dont need to be difficult. They can cover so much. Follow your children ❤️

06/06/2023

Thrive stronger practice hub for childminders!

You are invited to our Childminder Pop-Up Event!
What's Involved:

Local event especially for childminders
You can attend with or without your children
Chance to network with other childminders
Free professional development
Suitable for babies to pre-school
Activities for your children to take part in

Event Dates:

Nurturing through Nature
Caldmore Community Gardens
Wednesday 21st June 10-11.30am
Join with fun outdoor activities including planting, pond dipping, sensory walk & story time

Music Sessions
Musical Minis 0-2 years
Musical Maestros 2-4 years
Join in with a music specialist to pick up lots of new ideas to use in your home setting

Streetly Library
Thursday 6th July
10-11.30pm

Brownhills Library
Thursday 6th July
1.00 - 2.30pm

Willenhall Library
Musical Session
Friday 7th July
10-11.30am

Due to limited spaces for the musical sessions. please only book onto one.

To book your place on one of these events, please scan the QR codes below and fill in the form to register your place.

04/06/2023

New!‼️important!‼️
Changes being made to the eyfs. This link you will find the survey and the draft version. Go and have your say!!

Find and participate in consultations run by the Department for Education

04/06/2023

Finding that work life balance is the biggest challenge I have found over the almost 11 years of childminding. Needing to find ways to prioritise, ways to bring my home back to a home again but also not giving up on all I offer as a childminder. I have been trying to find ways since 2015/2016 and today I feel I have found what suits me....

If you want support to find your balance get in touch today 🥰

It has been a while!!!!
With germs over the last 2 to 3 weeks along side some other things taking up time. Posting has been one of the items on the bottom of the list.
I will be sharing some of our favourite moments over the next few days!
Current moment: enjoying a very hygge summery breakfast with my family and the garden is so near to being complete with the grass I am so excited for us to have more space to play!! I have also mastered a way to have a pack away childcare garden!! Work life balance!
Any messages on here I will catch up with over the next few days too!

03/05/2023

Before my smalls arrived this morning I dived in to some self study as part of my own Professional Development for my NPQEYL

Just because I have been in the sector for 18 years and almost 10 of those alone being a self employed childminder and employer, doesn't mean I can't learn new things, broaden my knowledge, explore new ideas and methods, grow my own mind which will have a positive outcome on my own setting.

Professional development is important for your setting and staff. Training, courses and opportunities where everyone can see the vision for the setting and staff feel the opportunity is relevant and in alignment to them and their learning to get the best overall experience and inspiration is key for setting success and staff morale to have the most positive impact on your provision.

Let me know if I can help with in house training for you, a group (childminders) or your setting today

[email protected]

19/04/2023

What have you done this week to Work with Parents?

Last week I had development meetings with parents.
Just an informal chat where they came in, children played, I offered them a hot drink (when do we as parents get offered a drink we can have while still warm?) And we talked about all their children's strengths. Where they are in their learning and what their next steps are.
It isn't a "must" but it works for me and my setting.
This is key. Finding what paperwork works for YOU, YOUR STAFF AND YOUR SETTING.
No setting is the same, we all need things that another may not. All settings are individual and what works for one, may not work for another.
For me, this works and I love to do mini reports as a keepsake which makes it more personal. I dont HAVE to, I CHOOSE to. It works for me and helps me build on the work I already do with my parents.

If you are looking for someone outside of the box to support you and your setting from childminders, preschools and nurseries drop me an email [email protected]

15/04/2023

Simple, enjoyable activity using nature where the children are fully engaged in the activity.

Using all of their skills covering all of the areas of learning.

Following a hygge approach and having the good feeling of making foods. Seeing, smelling and touching the natural world around them. Sharing the moment of tasting them with the people they love. Gifting to parents. All of the wonderful things.

Planning your own curriculum for your individual setting doesn't need to be difficult. It doesn't need to be complicated for you or for your staff. It doesn't need to make YOU feel like a failure.

Let me show you how.

[email protected]

11/04/2023

I have just signed up!!!!

Take a look!