As an Ofsted registered child minder I provide a safe and healthy environment for children to grow and learn and my property has been inspected to ensure that it is as safe as is reasonably possible.

Establishing Routines for the Child Minding Day
Establishing routines is important as it helps children to feel safe and secure as things become familiar.

Providing Basic Play and Other Activities for Children
In a loving home-based setting children feel safe and comfortable. With good play equipment children can learn providing an excellent start pre-school. By helping with simple tasks such as washing up, making cakes or hanging out the washing they will improve on all kinds of skills ie. counting pegs, learning the different colours of the clothing, etc. In a home environment with other children to play and share toys with, they can comfortably practice many other skills ie. Inter-personal, negotiation and patience. These are all important abilities to learn.

Helping Children to Settle in
The most difficult thing a parent returning to work will ever have to do is entrust their most precious ‘possession’ with another. I am always happy to see the children and the parent is then happy and confident when handing them over. Having activities waiting on arrival so that they have something to take their minds away from the departing parent also helps! Sometimes the child may be tired and may cry prior to the parent leaving. Please rest assured, this will probably upset you far longer than your child, they are usually playing within 10 minutes of the parent leaving! I do encourage parents to phone whenever they feel necessary, just one call could make the difference between them having a good day or not.

Managing Children’s Behaviour
Rules are important in any household. A child must learn to accept that rules are made for good reasons, most importantly for safety.

Children feel more comfortable and confident when they are given boundaries, although they will often try to stretch them, let's face it, they wouldn't be normal if they didn't! If a child does push the boundary, I find by denying them access to their favourite programme or not letting them choose the story that day helps them to take a step back and often improves their behaviour … until the next time!

Treating Children With Equal Concern
It is important that all children are treated fairly as individuals whilst still responding to their individual needs. Each child must have an equal opportunity to develop their own potential regardless of their racial origins, cultural or social background, gender or disability.

Initiating Relationships With Parents
Parents and child minders must have a good relationship. The parents should be happy in the knowledge that their child is in safe hands and is receiving a high level of care. If the parent is unhappy with any aspect of the service being offered they must raise their concerns immediately so that any issues can be resolved. Happy parent and happy child minder = happy child!

Child Protection
Children are vulnerable and we must be vigilant to protect those in our care from pain and distress. Child minders have a legal obligation to report anything they deem suspicious.

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Contact me
If you would like further information please email karen.smith1@tiscali.co.uk or telephone 01293 784219.