Michelle

About Me

Hello. My name is Michelle Sarjeant . I have been a childminder for 28 years, and so have lots of experience with babies and children of all ages. I am a mother of four grown up children, a grandmother and I live in Cowplain with my husband , Richard, who is a retired toolmaker and now works part time.
I aim to provide a relaxed family environment incorporating high quality learning opportunities focusing on good mental heath, happiness and wellbeing as well as academic learning at the child's pace, all play and experiences based. A typical weeks routine sees us going out most days for fresh air and outdoor experiences as well as enjoying time in the home. I am covid aware ,and do my utmost to keep everyone safe, having set drop off and pick up times one family at a time. I have an air purifyer in the home , and open windows weather permitting.
Outdoor fun is often at places such as nature reserves ,Billy's Lake, Queen Elizabeth and Alice Holt country parks ,Butser Hill ,Portchester Castle ,Creech Wood, Hayling or Southsea beach or local parks observing nature with binoculars or magnifying glasses , smelling flowers, feeling the texture of bark or moss on trees ,going for walks and playing football, blowing and chasing bubbles , flying kites and having picnics. We usually attend a toddler group session on Tuesdays. I drive a minibus ( Postman Pat 3 ) which is equipped with a simple toilet facility and surface for serving picnics, meaning we can have totally self sufficient days out away from crowds where possible.
At home we learn through playing together ( social skills) drawing and water painting (mark making, motor skills, imagination) using playdoh,( creativity, motor skills, strengthening fingers ) building with duplo ,experimenting with magnets, weighing and measuring, pouring and estimating ( maths) ,dressing up,( imagination, role play) making dens and tents, talking and reading together. ( English) From the conservatory or in the garden we observe birds and squirrels that visit the garden, rain on the roof, clouds in the sky, shadows, spiders webs and the changing seasons. Babies explore with sensory play using items in a treasure basket, and we regularly enjoy natural play items, allowing children to experiment. T.V use is for very short and occasional periods for education only, such as The Water cycle, or maybe a Joe Wicks or yoga workout , or wonderful stories such as The Snail and the Whale, Superworm or Room on the Broom. Outdoors, I have made a fairy sensory garden, providing opportunities for children of all ages to explore their 5 senses, as well as experiencing numbers and letters in the outdoor environment ,role play in the garden playhouse, maths with old fashioned scales and weights, numbers on stones and balls , nature and science ,planting and watering looking at the seasons, clouds, the moon ,physical play on slide and trikes with opportunities to develop their motor skills and imagination. I am committed to helping all families to support their child to reach their full potential, which I believe is every child's right .