Learn N' Play Childminding

Feeling so honoured today — our photo has been shared by Play Scotland for Playday 2026! 🥹🌿
Play is such a big part of everything we do at Learn N’ Play Childminding, so seeing our wee ones included in a post celebrating children’s right to play feels very special.
Muddy puddles, outdoor adventures, curiosity, friendships and freedom to explore — this is childhood. 💦🌈
So proud to be part of something that celebrates the importance of play for every child.

Scottish Childminding Association
Care Inspectorate

Play - Here, There, Everywhere!

It's time to get ready for ! Join us on Wednesday 5th August in creating opportunities for children to play wherever they are!

This year, we're asking community leaders, play providers, childcare settings, families, and everyone working with children and young adults to champion better spaces and opportunities for play!

Register via the link below if you'd like to participate so we can shout about all the wonderful community organisations helping to celebrate the importance of every child's right to play 😍✨



https://www.playscotland.org/playday-2026/

☀️Summer Reading Challenge completed 📚☀️
A big well done to our Learn N’ Play children for taking part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge at the library! 🌈✨
I love encouraging a love of books, stories and early literacy. Visiting the library, choosing books and sharing stories together supports children’s imagination, listening skills, language development and confidence.
So proud of our little book lovers! 📖💛👏


Scottish Childminding Association

As we step into the last week of term for many, let's take a moment to appreciate the incredible work of childminders everywhere. This season can be a whirlwind of emotions as you prepare to send off the little ones you've nurtured with love and dedication. 🎓👶

Don't forget to enjoy this proud moment. You've played a vital role in shaping young minds, celebrating many milestones, and creating cherished memories... and many of you will continue to play a part in the lives of your mindees for many years to come - through primary school and beyond!

👉 Are any little ones graduating from your setting this week? We'd love to hear your stories in the comments below!

🏷️ Tag a childminder: Know someone who deserves recognition for their amazing work? Tag them and let them know how much they are appreciated!

We want to take this moment to celebrate the incredible journey childminders have shared with the children and the safe space you have created in their lives. Your dedication provides a solid foundation for children to continue growing and learning. Thank you for all that you do! 💖

Happy Father’s Day for Sunday to all our wonderful Learn N’ Play Childminding daddies! 💙

The children have been busy creating special cards, gifts and treats made with lots of love, little hands and big smiles.

We hope all the dads, grandads and special father figures have a lovely day and feel very appreciated.

Happy Father’s Day! 💙

⚽ We Teamed Up for Football! ⚽

With Scotland playing against Morocco in the World Cup today, it felt like the perfect morning to team up with another childminder for our own little football session in the park!

The children had a brilliant time running, kicking, chasing the ball, taking turns and cheering each other on. Some children were confident straight away, while others watched first, copied their friends and joined in at their own pace — such a lovely example of mixed-age learning in action.

Football may look simple, but it supports so much development: gross motor skills, balance, coordination, turn-taking, teamwork, listening, communication, confidence and learning how to share space safely.

A morning full of fresh air, movement, friendship and football spirit.
Come on Scotland! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚽🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿


Scottish Childminding Association
Learn N' Play Childminding

My P1s-to-be have been making a little wish list of things they would love to do before they leave for school.

Today we ticked off a very special one — a park adventure, picnic, and using their school lunch boxes. ✅

We are getting closer and closer to the time when they move on, and honestly, it is breaking my heart a little… but at the same time I am so incredibly proud of them. They are ready for their next big adventure. 💛

And our wee ones are learning right alongside them — watching, copying, joining in and being inspired. This is one of the massive advantages of childminding: mixed ages, real-life learning, and children naturally learning from each other every single day. 🌱

Big hearts, big friendships and big next steps. 🥹✨

Every nursery and every childminder is different, and every family will find the setting that feels right for them. 💛

There is no one “right” or “wrong” way — it is about finding the perfect match between the child, the family and the setting.

I feel so grateful that at Learn N’ Play, we have always built such lovely matches with our children and families. When that connection is there, it creates trust, understanding and a wonderful partnership where children can truly feel safe, happy and ready to thrive. 🌿

At the end of the day, it is all about what children need: connection, consistency, guidance, play and people who care.

Today was one of those last-minute childminding decisions that turned into something really lovely.

After snack, we looked at the weather and decided that the farm would be the best plan for today — and it was absolutely the right choice! The girls had a brilliant time in soft play, had a lovely walk around to see the animals, and enjoyed all the different little adventures the farm had to offer.

We also met some new childminders, which was sooo lovely. It is always such a nice feeling to connect with others who understand this wonderful, busy and unpredictable childminding life.

The bravest moment of the day was definitely touching the snake! The girls showed so much curiosity and courage, while Lucie observed from a very safe distance with a very convincing fake “I am not scared at all” smile. 😄🐍

A spontaneous, fun and very special day. 💚

Hello everyone,

I recently saw a childminding networking group in Moray and thought it was such an amazing idea. It really inspired me.

I messaged my lovely colleague Shannon to ask what she thought, and she was just as excited as I was. We both feel there is a real need for something like this in Aberdeenshire.

Childminding can be such a rewarding job, but it can also feel lonely at times, as many of us work on our own every day. We would love to create a welcoming community where childminders can meet face-to-face, chat, share ideas, support each other with paperwork, ask questions, or have a cuppa and talk about our day.

Our hope is to build something positive, friendly and supportive — a place where we can all thrive together, learn from each other and feel less alone in our work.

Everyone is very welcome to come along.

To help us plan numbers, please let us know if you would like to attend either by email or by commenting under the poster in the group.

We would love to see as many childminders as possible there and start building a friendly, supportive community together.

Lucie & Shannon


Scottish Childminding Association