Quality Childminding

Provide a warm, caring, loving and trusting environment for children where they can develop friendships and feel protected and secure

Plan a routine, activities and experiences around the children’s interests and individual needs to ensure you are promoting all aspects of their development in an informal manner

Follow an approach to childcare that enables each child to reach their full potential in an holistic way

Provide an outdoor environment which provides as many learning opportunities as the indoor environment. Let children play in the wind, rain and snow!

Provide a range of age and stage appropriate activities and experiences to promote children’s learning and development; Encourage children to participate in planning so they can come up with ideas and suggestions and view their opinions

Put children’s needs first at all times and encourage children to be confident and assertive

Provide a safe learning environment where children can talk and are listened to and where their confidence and self-esteem is promoted

Support children in making good choices about a safe and healthy lifestyle and encourage them to discuss any concerns they have about their health and emotional well-being

Keep all children safe which includes minimising the risk of harm and accidents and taking action to tackle health and safety concerns; Follow health & safety procedures at all times, including carrying out regular risk/fire risk assessments

Provide healthy and nutritious meals/snacks for all children

Promote positive behaviour at all times

Build relationships with parents and keep the lines of communication open to encourage working in partnership

Have all required policies in place that will be shared with parents. Sharing policies with parents gives added protection to a childminding arrangement. When the childminder and parents sign and date the documentation both parties have agreed on all procedures listed. This gives less of a chance of both parties having conflicting views and opinions on any aspects the childminding arrangement and avoids a breakdown of the childminder/parent relationship.