Question 1

What ages do you cover?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 2

Do you offer trial days, visits and settling in days?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Do you offer flexible days and hours?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

What sort of activities can I expect my child to do?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

What does an average day look like?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

Do you discipline and praise children?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

Do you offer funded spaces?

Accepted Answer

Yes and tax free payments

Question 8

How do you communicate with parents and want parents to communicate with you?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

Do you offer bank holidays?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

Do you charge for your holidays / our holidays?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

Do you help potty train?

Accepted Answer

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.

Frequently Asked Questions