Claire's Childcare - Hygge in the Early Years Accredited Setting

06/09/2025

Who doesn't love unwrapping new resources?

These brilliant new mirror stones from TTS did not disappoint 👏

So many play possibilities ❤️

23/08/2025

We have ventured to beautiful places these summer holidays!

Now it's time for some much needed family fun and autumn preparations 🍂✨️

September is almost here!

See you on the 1st!

12/08/2025

10/08/2025

Some great visuals to share with parents. Especially with tweens and teens.

07/08/2025

Why outdoor adventures like this are gold dust for under 3s 🪵🌿

Physical development gets supercharged

Climbing, balancing, crawling and jumping over logs builds strength, coordination and core stability all essential for walking, running and future writing skills!
Intent: To develop gross motor control through natural challenges
Implementation: Providing varied outdoor terrain
Impact: Stronger muscles, better balance, and a huge confidence boost

It sparks deep curiosity and learning
A log is never just a log — it becomes a dragon, a train, a mountain! Nature fuels imagination and encourages early problem-solving (“Can I reach that branch?” “What happens if I jump?”).
Intent: To foster exploration and imaginative thinking
Implementation: Open-ended natural resources
Impact: Builds resilience, creativity and a love of learning

It supports emotional wellbeing
Being outdoors helps regulate the nervous system fresh air, open space, and the sensory feedback of wood, mud, and leaves all help children feel calm, safe and grounded.
Intent: To promote emotional regulation
Implementation: Regular outdoor sessions in nature-rich spaces
Impact: Happier, more settled children (and a more peaceful setting!)

It strengthens communication and social skills
Climbing together means learning to wait, take turns, help others, and share ideas. It’s a natural way to practise social interaction in a meaningful, unforced way.
Intent: To develop early language and social understanding
Implementation: Group nature play with shared goals
Impact: More confident communicators who feel part of a group

It’s real-life risk and real-life learning
Logs wobble, bark is rough, and jumping off takes guts — this is healthy risk. Children learn how to assess situations, trust their bodies, and build self-awareness.
Intent: To support safe risk-taking and decision-making
Implementation: Supervised opportunities for physical challenge
Impact: Braver, more capable children who know their limits

If you’re a childminder wondering “Can I really do this?” YES you can. It starts with finding a space (even a fallen log in a local field) and saying yes to the adventure 🌈 The learning that unfolds is more powerful than anything you could plan indoors!

05/08/2025

Early Years Funding
Are you claiming all that your entitled too?
There are many different ways to get support for your childcare. Make sure you know them all

Check it out and claim - https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

03/08/2025

Such a brilliant visual.
W sitting is so very common in under 5's these explain wonderfully why we need to adjust position.

28/07/2025

Why We Adventure Outside Every Day 🌳

Every single day, we step outside and explore the world together - and here's why it's so magical for our little ones!

When we head to our local park or even just into the garden, I watch these amazing tiny humans come alive. There's something incredible about giving them SPACE - room to run as fast as their little legs can carry them, to jump with pure joy, and yes, to roll around and get beautifully muddy!

But it's so much more than just burning energy (though that definitely helps with naptime! 😴). I love watching them learn to navigate uneven surfaces - wobbling on tree roots, carefully stepping over puddles, building their confidence step by step. No hand-holding needed - just gentle encouragement and lots of "You've got this!"

Their spatial awareness blossoms when they're figuring out how to squeeze through gaps, climb over logs, or judge whether that stick is too big to fit through the gate. And the way they stop to really LOOK at everything - a ladybug crawling, leaves dancing in the wind, clouds changing shape - it reminds me to slow down and see the world through their wonder-filled eyes.

Simple outings to our local park aren't just outings - they're building blocks for confident, capable, curious little people. Every puddle splash, every hill climb, every discovery of a new flower is helping their bodies and minds grow stronger.
Fresh air, natural learning, and endless possibilities - that's why we're outside adventurers, rain or shine! ☀️🌧️
What's your favourite outdoor discovery with little ones? I'd love to hear! 💚

19/07/2025

SNACK ATTACK SURVIVAL SHEET – SUMMER EDITION! ☀️

The school holidays are officially here... and so is that magical, mysterious tummy that only seems to exist when children are at home 24/7 😅

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or childminder — you’ll know the “I’m huuuungry” chorus well.
That’s why I created this one-page printable packed with snack ideas that are:

✅ Quick
✅ Simple
✅ Tasty
✅ Budget-ish
✅ And actually eaten by real-life children 🙌

📌 Pop it on the fridge.
🧺 Take it shopping with you.
📩 Send it to your families if you're a fellow childminder — you’ll be their hero this summer!

👇 Download it, share it, tag a snack-saviour who needs this today!

15/07/2025

Just enough time for some CPD