Jane B

About Me

I am an Ofsted registered childminder (graded Outstanding) and mum of three. I provide a gentle, nurturing, safe and happy space in which children can play and feel completely at home in my home.

We are based out in our natural play area in the garden which has a playhouse, large sandpit, firepit, mud kitchen, dens and 'forest' area, greenhouse for all our planting, bug hotel, bird cafe and bird boxes, butterfly house and lots of wood. We have a heated shelter with many toys and resources and opportunities for play and discovery. We do lots of activities according to the seasons, such as apple pressing, conker/leaf collecting and investigating pumpkins in the autumn, making bird cakes in the winter, planting seeds and caterpillar/butterfly rearing in the spring, and investigating tadpoles in our pond in the summer. The children also have lots of time for their own uninterrupted free play.

We take full advantage of our local park for feeding the ducks, playing in the playground, flying kites and splashing in puddles. We also visit our local library regularly to read and borrow books and have visits to Reddish Vale to throw stones in the river, Hulme Garden Centre for play and picnics and a fruit/veg picking farm.

We follow the forest school principles which aim to promote holistic development; fostering resilience, confidence, independence and creativity. The environment allows children to take supported risks and also supports the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which sets standards for the learning, development and care of all early years settings. Time spent outdoors promotes independence and self-awareness, motivation, social skills, communication and language, self-esteem and confidence, fine and gross motor physical skills and also encourages knowledge, respect and understanding of the natural world.