About my home

My Home

My home is a clean, safe, smoke and pet free environment. I have a good sized enclosed garden which has lots of activities for children to enjoy. The garden is always open to the children and we will enjoy playing outside often exploring the different weather types! Our house is within walking distance of three parks, a large library, a number of children's centres and a parade of shops.

Equal Opportunities

All children in my care will be treated equally and with respect to meet their individual needs; this is regardless of their age, gender, social background, ethnic origin, ability and religion. I will ensure children understand each others differences and celebrate their uniqueness. I will help children to feel good about themselves and they will be taught to help others feel good about themselves too!

Food

I do not provide meals. I kindly ask that parents provide their child with a labelled lunch box containing their meals for the day. I will store the necessary food in the fridge correctly. I am happy to provide fruit for snacks but I am happy for you to provide them if you would rather. In fairness to all children in my home, I respectfully ask that no sweets or chocolates are included - this because children do not understand why one child has sweets but they do not. Also, when the weather is nice we will enjoy lots of picnics!

All food and drink will be eaten at the table whilst we all sit together to allow meal times to be a pleasant and social event, it will also promote routine which is vital in a child's development. I will sit with the children and start conversations and encourage them to understand each other's views, opinions, likes and dislikes. By sitting with the children, I will ensure they learn to take turns when talking, as well as teach them to use their table manners and 'please' and 'thank you's.

I do have sterilising equipment should your baby bottles need sterilising, although I do require them to come to the setting ready to use with the correct amount of water and powdered milk already measured out. I am happy to make the bottles the correct temperature and to add the milk as and when needed.

Activities/Places

• Mother and Toddler groups
• Parks
• Children’s Centres
• Library visits
• Walking – nature trails, local shops
• Garden play
• Cooking
• Arts & Crafts
• Soft Play

I will also put on a few special trips throughout the year, one in the summer and one before Christmas. We will either go to a Zoo, Sealife Centre or a Farm for example.

Toys/Activities

• Books for the correct age ranges
• Baby dolls and accessories
• Teddies and fluffy animals
• Jigsaws for the correct ages
• Jumperoo for non-movers
• Walker for little ones
• Cause and effect toys - light and sound toys
• Colouring pencils, crayons and books
• Dressing up
• Sign Language DVD and books
• Messy play - paints, glue etc
• Play Kitchen and accessories
• Cars and car mat
• Play tent
• Lots of films
• Sensory bottles, bins and bags

Garden toys

• Paddling pool
• Mud kitchen
• Scooters and push alongs
• Water toys
• Blackboard

Plus many many more!

All toys are checked and cleaned regularly. Broken ones are thrown away and replaced. Babies' toys are cleaned weekly as they tend to put everything in their mouths. I tend to rotate the toys that we use to not over-stimulate the children by having far too much out!