THE EYFS
The EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) is a document that applies to all children from birth to the 31st August following their 5th birthday. Childminders like ourselves are required to follow the statutory requirements and guidance of the EYFS just as nurseries, pre-schools etc. do. The EYFS sets the standards that all early years providers must meet to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe.
Here at Toni Hope Childminding, we follow the Children’s interests, planning enjoyable and challenging play experiences based on the individual needs, interests and development of each child in our care.
We care for children aged between 3 months (approx) and 12 years. This can take some juggling! However, we ensure all children are given individual attention and we respect their play choices. There is always a wide selection of activities and toys for the children to explore and time to engage with an adult. As a slightly larger Childminder setting, children always mix with other children and friendships blossom.
We like to take the children out regularly. Trips to local playgroups (when back after covid) and to ‘song and story time’ at the library are well liked whilst enhancing their social skills. We love visiting our local parks, play centres or walking in the woods. These foster their physical development, understanding of the world, and perhaps most importantly in todays present climate, have a positive effect on their mental health. We find that if we spend time outdoors, perhaps a session collecting sticks or conkers, jumping in muddy puddles etc, that the children seem to radiate a different type of contentment. Of course, even when not on trips out, there is the garden which is available to play in every day, no matter the weather, along with a mud kitchen area. We have a large collection of waterproof/windproof all-in-one suits covering all sizes from 6-12 months to 4 years.
PLANNING FOR PLAY
- We look at what is happening in the world around us, the seasons, weather, clothes we wear through the year, food we eat for special occasions etc.
- Children get messy with paint, learn about the properties of water, pour sand through sieves, make mud pies and poke their fingers into playdough. Whatever they enjoy, we provide resources for them to explore.
- We focus on important times in the children’s lives such as a new baby, a birthday or a family celebration.
- We find out what children are doing in other parts of their lives, such as in nursery or when with their parents or extended families.
Inclusive for all
All activities are available to all children and are just adapted to accommodate the age and needs of each child wishing to have a go.
For our pre-school children
Again, we follow each child’s own interests. We look at any learning styles or schemas and use these to link into our plans.
- We include planning for multicultural and diverse festivals and celebrations from around the world, starting with those which mean something to the children.
- We offer the children access to a mixture of carefully planned themed activities that we know will interest them such as ‘people who help us’, ‘healthy eating’ etc.
- We consider what children are doing elsewhere and link in where possible.
- We incorporate lots of practice in everyday activities to promote school readiness such as putting on our own shoes or coat, being able to sit nicely for a short story etc.
