JennyPenworthamChildminder
Activities...
An example of a typical week:
Monday
am: Visit the library in search of books to support our current theme plus for the children to choose a couple of books to take home with them.
pm: Water play - hiding objects and 'fishing' them out using various tools and containers... plus an opportunity for free play
Tuesday
am: Soft play centre
pm: Messy play, for example searching for hidden shapes in a tray of shaving foam... plus an opportunity for free play
Wednesday
am: Toddler group
pm: Baking biscuits in the shape of animals and discuss each animal - count their legs, etc... plus an opportunity for free play
Thursday
am: Trip to the park to find sticks, leaves, etc - a chance to play and explore in the woods.
pm: Use the items we collected in the woods to discuss shape, size, texture, etc and then make a collage... plus an opportunity for free play
As a childminder I follow the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) to ensure your child receives the best possible care and early education. The EYFS is followed by all Early Years providers, including Primary Schools, until a child reaches five years of age. All the activities and resources on offer to the children aim to meet the requirements of the EYFS and I will provide you with further information regarding these requirements when your child starts in my setting.
We have a huge range of resources available, ranging from dolls to small word play, craft items, jigsaws... the list goes on! I tend to follow a different theme which I change every few weeks - for example we may be looking at 'under the sea' so will will visit the Sea Life Centre and then take a trip to the library to find some books about the sea plus do some messy play using toy sea creatures, and craft activities etc - other toys are always available which don't follow the theme to allow your child to explore other things.
We do LOTS of messy play, whether that's hunting for hidden shapes in a tray of jelly, unearthing hidden treasures in sand or sailing boats we've made in a large tray of water!
We spend as much time as possible outdoors, whether that's at the park, beach, in the woods or exploring nature reserves so I do ask parents to provide wellies, a waterproof onesie and suitable coat.
A typical day consists of spending the morning out and about, for example exploring the woods in the park, collecting leaves, talking about the environment, what sounds we can hear, which colours we can spot, etc. We meet up with a couple of other childminders each morning and the children in their care, so on average there are 9 children... they form wonderful bonds and friendships and love spending time together! the afternoon is generally spent back at the setting and consists of a mixture of planned activities (crafts, baking, numeracy activities, etc) and free, unstructured play. this means the children receive lots of one to one time with me and take part in activities within a small group - a fantastic opportunity to develop their skills, creativity and imagination!
