Over the past two weeks J and I have been doing quite a few different Autumnal activities which have either consisted of things we have done previously, or have been similar to things that we have done previously. I like to try new things with the children, and generally they enjoy doing new activities too, so with that in mind I decided that we would have a go at making wax crayon sun catchers.
J and I chose some crayons in Autumnal colours and then after a brief explanation as to why we have to be careful, J set about grating the crayons onto a sheet of greaseproof paper. This took a while!
Once we had enough grated wax I put a second sheet of greaseproof paper over the wax and with the iron on the lowest setting (and with J removed from the very immediate vicinity) I ironed the wax gratings until they melted. J was amazed at the blob that we created! I however wasn't - I had hoped for something pretty, but we had used far too much dark coloured wax and it just looked horrid! So we tried again with much brighter colours which produced a much nicer melted blob!
We covered the wax to clear contact paper on both sides, I punched two holes and J helped me to thread a ribbon through the holes so that he could hang his sun catcher up - all we need now is some sun!
It is lovely to welcome new children into my home, and into the group of children already here. Whenever I am approached by parents to care for their children I am mindful of how the new child will fit in, and being completely honest, I will not take on a child that I feel will not fit in well, or who could potentially upset the children already in my care; neither will I take on a child if I feel I will not get along with his or her parents - I have to be able to build a good relationship with these people so feel that us all getting along is very important.
Yesterday was J's first full day with me, and his first time with me on his own without Mummy being with him. During the previous two weeks I have spent as much time as possible with J in order that we got to know each other, we have been on days out together, J has come to play at my house, and I have visited him at his house. And I really think that us getting to know one another has helped a lot, J has spent a lovely 2 full days with me now and I am confident that he will continue to be settled and happy here.
I am a very happy childminder right now!
Last week a lady from 'Rhythm Time' came to run a session for the children, this was a first for all of us. Usually the sessions are aimed at a specific age group, but as a childminder group we have lots of different aged children, so the session was aimed mid range.
We were all invited to sit on mats on the floor, and clap, tap and bang along to different songs. We shared out various musical instruments to play along to the songs, and swapped and shared the instruments after each song. At the end of the session bubbles were blown and the children had lots of fun popping them.
The session was so enjoyable, it was something really different and provided many learning opportunities for the children.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a framework that applies to all childminders, schools and nurseries that provide care and education for children from birth until the end of the Reception year.
From 1st September 2012, the revised EYFS came into force. The new version is available online for you to view using the link below.
The revised EYFS contains the legal requirements and guidance information which I have to use to make sure I meet your child’s needs. There are a number of changes, to summarise;
There will be 7 Areas of Learning and Development divided into Prime and Specific areas.
When working with the youngest children I will be focusing mainly on the 3 PRIME areas.
These are:· Personal, social and emotional development· Physical development· Communication and Language
These form the basis for successful learning in the other 4 SPECIFIC areas. These are:
· Literacy
· Mathematics
· Understanding of the world
· Expressive Arts and Design
As they grow in confidence and ability in the 3 prime areas the balance will shift to a more equal focus on all 7.
A child’s learning and development will continue to be implemented through planned, purposeful play which is individually tailored to each child’s needs and interests. This will be both child and adult led. Activities will become more adult led as a child gets older to prepare them for school.
One of the main changes for parents is the amount of input you will be asked to give into your child’s learning experiences while they are with me. At the moment I involve you in many different ways; but the new EYFS is asking childcare practitioners to think of new things to share with parents and carers and come up with new ways of asking you for information about what your child is doing and saying at home. I will encourage and support parents in guiding development at home to ensure your child receives the best possible start.
Another new legal requirement of the revised EYFS is for childcare practitioners to write up a ‘2 year progress check’ for your child. A summary of your child’s development in the 3 PRIME areas must be carried out when your child is aged between 24-36 months. This will then inform and support the assessment made by your child’s Health Visitor at their '2 year check' so that they have an accurate insight into how your child is developing at home and in other settings and not just in a room in the doctors surgery where your child may be unwilling to co-operate!
I request that parents inform me when their child has an appointment for their check so that we can work together to prepare his/her report.
I look forward to sharing more information about the revised EYFS with you over the coming months. In the meantime, if you have any questions please let me know.
Revised Statutory Framework for the EYFS
