Frequently Asked Questions

From 10 months to reception ready/4yrs. Dependant on ratios and current age groups to meet regulation and ensure a safe environment.

Initially parents/families are invited to visit the setting outside of childcare hours for safeguarding purposes. This is an opportunity to meet my family, ask additional questions and get a feel for my approach and vibe before deciding if Awesome Minds home setting is the right fit for your family. before starting if there is a period beforehand parents will be invited to join us for a play, lunches or meet ups outside of the setting. When beginning a first week which may involve more days than planned will be a settling in week. Contracts for 6 or 12 months aren't completed until a month to allow for a trial period essentially.

I don't offer single days a week, this is to allow for relationships, routine and bonds to be built. There is some flexibility but all dependant on current ratios.

Activities targeting your child's age vs the EYFS prime areas of learning. A combination of guided and child led. Through observations I track children's current schemas, aware that every child develops at different paces and stages and every child's personality is unique. I've created a series of 'schema sacks' enabling me to include tools that specifically motivate your child and encourage a deeper level of learning and development. Most of all we have fun doing it..from messy investigative tuff tray set ups encouraging curiosity, puzzles, baking, crafts to circle time including yoga, song and stories. Play is learning.

No day is the same, I encourage children to bring their interests and ideas when we begin our day with a little circle time chat about the day ahead.

A loose structure allowing themes to change if children have a focus.

Free play until everybody arrives approx 9am then a planned activity craft, baking, outdoors adventure followed by circle time before morning snack.

Continued planned activity before lunch when smaller ones go for their sleep. This provides and opportunity to focus with older ones on basic phonics and numbers using puzzles, flash cards, beads to support our learning. Follow me on Facebook for the best view of typical days through the seasons.

Working closely with parents and communicating about patterns of behaviour enables me to support you as a family and get through various stages of development some more challenging than others. Through observations regular behaviours can be highlighted, I then look for possible reasons behaviours to support messages and boundaries within the setting and encouraging positive behavioural choices and responses.

We have kindness rules, and positive behaviour is recognised to reinforce sometimes adopting a 'star in the jar' reward system. The behaviour is always recognised as opposed to attaching any judgement on children and children are never singled out.

Yes and tax free payments

I use a childcare database 'Kinderly' which provides every child with a daily update, records any accidents, and medication requests. Parents also have a WhatsApp group for communication for all parents and a regular newsletter. Parents are welcome to arrange phone calls or a meeting if they would like to discuss something in more detail, 1:1.

Bank holidays are included in my annual leave; however, there is flexibility, and it can be discussed in individual circumstances.

As much as is possible, I support families, aware of the rising costs of living, and therefore do not charge for either holidays provided the 14-day notice is given.

I look for the windows of opportunity and will highlight to parents the signals in setting to see if you are also seeing the same at home. I support getting to this stage through conversation and familiarisation of the potty and loo as others go to and from, encouraging self-regulation and understanding. When parents see a window, we can chat about how we can work together to support your child through the transition. See also the Potty Training and Toilet Policy.