Chloe

About Me

My little bird home nursery is twice rated “Outstanding” by an Ofsted-registered childminder agency, and I care for children from newborn to 3 years. I am a small, one person setting, and care for a maximum of three mindees each day. I currently have limited space available from September, with a waiting list for care from 2027.

I provide high-quality childcare in a warm, nurturing home-from-home environment. I want every child who comes through my door to feel safe, comfortable, valued and excited for the day ahead. One of the things I love most about childminding is being able to get to know each child as an individual and build a close, trusting relationship with them.

I am located just a few minutes from Wood Green tube station and have multiple parks within a short distance, giving us plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures and play. Weather permitting, I like the children to have lots of opportunities to explore outside and experience the many benefits of being in nature. I also have a garden and an open-door approach, so children are welcome to play outside whenever they wish.

I am breastfeeding and formula friendly, supportive of families using cloth nappies, and happy to work alongside parents with toilet training. I provide healthy, balanced vegetarian meals and snacks, all included in my fees, and I am happy to cater for a range of dietary requirements.

My setting has a small and friendly dog, giving children the opportunity to learn how to interact safely and respectfully with a pet. Books and stories are a big part of our day, alongside a wide range of open-ended toys and materials which I regularly rotate to keep things interesting and give children new opportunities to explore, create and use their imaginations.

My approach to learning and development:

My setting is child-led, with play at the heart of my practice. I believe play is the highest form of learning for young children: through play they explore, experiment, communicate, problem-solve, develop relationships and make sense of the world around them. I take inspiration from Reggio Emilia, Montessori and Forest School philosophies, incorporating elements of each into my practice while remaining guided by the individual child in my care.

I don't believe that one curriculum or approach can work equally well for every child. Instead, I observe, listen and respond to each child's interests, developmental needs, personality and passions, using these to shape our activities and experiences. This means that the curriculum is different for every child, with their interests providing the starting point while I use my knowledge of child development to gently extend their learning and support their next steps.

Although each child's journey is individual, there are some foundations I consider important for all children. I support children to develop the skills to make friends, ask for help, manage frustration, build resilience and begin to understand and regulate their emotions. I also place a strong emphasis on independence, giving children plenty of opportunities to play independently, make choices, solve problems and have a go for themselves.

Everyday routines provide opportunities to develop practical independence too, including toilet learning, dressing themselves, feeding themselves, using an open cup and learning how to use cutlery safely, including knives. I follow each child's readiness rather than imposing a timetable.

I also intentionally nurture a love of books and stories, supporting children to listen, engage, talk about what they see and hear, and enjoy books as a source of curiosity and connection. Through hands on play and everyday experiences, they develop a tactile understanding of number too, counting, sharing, cooking, building, pouring and exploring quantity in meaningful ways.

Supporting emotional wellbeing:

I have completed advanced-level training in Play Therapy at the University of Roehampton, which has deepened my understanding of children's emotional development and how they communicate through play.

I use play-based approaches to support children through big transitions such as moving house, becoming a sibling or starting schools, as well as helping them navigate behavioural challenges, frustration and emotional regulation. My background in sociology, with a focus on families and mental health, and my interest in conscious and respectful parenting strongly influence the way I work. I aim to treat children with respect, acknowledge their feelings and needs, and provide the security and support they need to develop confidence and independence.

Settling in:

Each child settles differently, so I tailor the settling-in process to their individual needs and circumstances. I offer free settling sessions and begin with tine together with a parent before gradually building up the child's time with me. I have a broad settling-in plan as a starting point, but the pace is always guided by the child.

Our environment:

Resources at my setting include a play house, sand tray, play kitchen, Yoto player, Pikler triangle, puzzles, practical-life activities, small world set ups, wooden blocks and trains, dolls, painting, drawing, messy and water play, play dough, oobleck, baking and musical instruments.

I care deeply about sustainability. I minimise plastic use, use plastic-free and biodegradable wipes, and source toys and equipment sustainably, often from small businesses or secondhand. Children are introduced to caring for the environment through everyday experience such as composting, recycling, reducing waste and looking after nature.

I work within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Development Matters guidance, ensuring that children's development is thoughtfully supported while keeping their individual interests, wellbeing and enjoyment at the centre of what I do.

Most importantly, little bird home nursery is a place where children can play, explore, get messy, be curious, develop confidence and feel completely at home.