TidiBears Childcare

And… I’m officially on holiday!

It’s been a long summer so far, juggling running TidiBears, caring for our little ones, and being a mum with my own children at home too! 😅 plenty of fun had but It’s definitely time to switch off, slow down and enjoy some precious family time.

A huge thank you to all of our wonderful TidiBears families for your continued support — it really does mean so much.

I hope you all have a joyful, sunny and memory-filled rest of the summer, whatever you’re getting up to.

For now, I’m putting my out-of-office firmly ON!

See you all in September, rested, refreshed and ready for a lovely fresh start and a brand-new term at TidiBears.

Happy summer everyone! 💛

Our day looked a little like this… 💚

Splashing through the stream, running freely across the fields, and chasing bubbles in the fresh air.

While it may look like simple fun, every moment was packed with learning. The children developed their gross motor skills as they ran and balanced over uneven ground, explored the natural world through sensory play, and built confidence, curiosity, and resilience by taking managed risks in a safe environment.

We truly believe that some of the best learning happens outdoors, where children have the freedom to explore, imagine, and simply be children.

We’re Growing… Come and Join the TidiBears Team

Level 3 Early Years Practitioner
Part-time/Full-time (to be discussed)

Do you believe the best classrooms have muddy puddles, story corners, belly laughs and endless opportunities for children to explore?

If so, we’d love to hear from you!

At TidiBears Childcare, we’re more than just a childcare setting—we’re a home-from-home where children feel safe, loved, inspired and excited to learn every single day. We’re looking for a passionate, experienced Level 3 Early Years Practitioner to become part of our friendly, supportive team.

What we’re looking for:

✨ A full and relevant Level 3 Early Years qualification
✨ Previous experience working in an Early Years setting
✨ A warm, caring and enthusiastic personality
✨ Someone who enjoys getting messy, being creative and embracing outdoor adventures
✨ A team player with excellent communication skills
✨ A genuine passion for helping every child thrive

What you’ll be doing:

🌈 Creating magical learning experiences through play
📚 Supporting children’s development in line with the EYFS
🧩 Building positive relationships with children and families
🌳 Making the most of outdoor learning and exploration
🎨 Singing, dancing, reading stories, painting, building dens… and probably drinking the occasional cold cup of tea!

What you’ll get:

💚 A welcoming, supportive and friendly team
💚 A beautiful home-from-home environment
💚 Opportunities to develop your skills and grow professionally
💚 The chance to make a real difference in children’s lives every single day
💚 Plenty of smiles, cuddles (when appropriate!), giggles and proud moments

If you’re the kind of practitioner who gets just as excited about discovering a ladybird as the children do, we’d love to meet you.

Come and help us create magical childhood memories at TidiBears Childcare.

To apply, please send your CV along with a short introduction telling us why you’d be a great fit.

We can’t wait to hear from you! 🌟

A big shout out to my lovely assistants this week… they kept the place ticking along despite it being hotter than hell. It’s been just a small bit harder but still a great week with the little people 💖

During Hot Weather

We are doing our very best to remain open during the current hot weather, unlike some local childcare providers and schools that have had to close. However, we have noticed that many of the children have found the heat challenging this week, and emotions have understandably been running a little higher than usual.

To help us continue operating safely and comfortably for all children, we kindly ask for your cooperation with the following:

Sun Cream

* Please apply sun cream to your child before they arrive each day. This allows us to make the most of the cooler part of the morning and access the garden as soon as children arrive.
* Sun cream needs at least 20 minutes to become effective before sun exposure.
* We aim to provide outdoor play, including water play, during the morning to help keep children cool.
* We will top up sun cream at 10:00am using Childs Farm SPF 50 and bring the children indoors by approximately 11:00am, when the garden becomes significantly hotter.
* Unless informed otherwise, we will assume that all children have had sun cream applied before arrival.

What to Bring
Please ensure your child brings:

* Swimwear
* A towel
* A sun hat

These items are essential for keeping children comfortable and safe in the warm weather.

Lunches
Please provide a cold lunch for your child. So far this week, the children have shown very little interest in hot meals due to the heat.

Sleep and Rest Times
To help children remain happy, comfortable and regulated, we will not be limiting naps during this period. Hot weather can be very tiring for toddlers, often leading to increased emotions and fatigue.

Our priority is to keep everyone happy and ensure the setting continues to run smoothly.

If you would prefer your child not to nap for as long, you are welcome to collect them after lunch at 12:30pm. Unfortunately, collections after this time will not be possible, as children will be sleeping and we do not wish to disturb their rest.

In the afternoons, the playroom is reaching temperatures of around 30°C, even with air conditioning and shaded windows. Resting during the hottest part of the day is therefore the most appropriate activity for the children.

Hydration
As always, children have regular access to drinking water throughout the day, and each child is provided with their own drinking cup.

Early Collection
If your schedule allows, you are very welcome to collect your child earlier than usual during this hot weather period.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Kind regards,

Donna and Team

🌞 A REMINDER FOR FAMILIES WITH BABIES JOINING TIDIBEARS CHILDCARE

Starting childcare is a huge transition for little ones (and their parents too!). To help your child settle in comfortably, we would love it if you could begin practising some of the following at home:

😴 Encourage independent sleep habits
If possible, help your baby become familiar with settling themselves to sleep in a cot or travel cot. We follow current safer sleep guidance, so babies under 12 months cannot sleep with comfort toys. Babies who are already used to sleeping this way often find the transition to childcare much easier than those who mainly nap in pushchairs, car seats, or on a grown-up.

🍉 Introduce finger foods during weaning
As your baby begins weaning, offering finger foods can help them develop self-feeding skills and confidence at mealtimes. It also supports safer eating habits and helps children become familiar with a wide variety of healthy foods, making the transition to our meals and snacks much smoother.

👋🏻 Practise short separations
Where possible, allow your child to spend time with other trusted family members or caregivers, even for short periods. This helps them learn that although parents leave, they always come back.

😢 Every child settles differently
While many children adapt quickly to childcare, others may need a little more time. We will always communicate openly and honestly about how your child is settling. It can be helpful to have a flexible plan in place, as some children benefit from gradually increasing their attendance hours.

👕 Dress for messy adventures
At TidiBears Childcare, we love exploring, creating, and learning through play—which can sometimes be messy! Please send your child in clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty or stained.

🤒 Expect the occasional illness
As children mix with new friends, it is normal for them to pick up common childhood illnesses. Please familiarise yourself with our illness policy and have a backup plan for childcare when your child is unwell. A busy childcare environment is not the best place for a poorly child, and we all play a role in preventing the spread of illness.

💛 As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are here to support you every step of the way and can’t wait to welcome your family to the TidiBears Childcare community!

Rainy Thursdays are best spent spotting the planes at RAF museum ☔️ ✈️

Not my words but as a setting, we fully agree. We are all about a good time here and fully accept mess and mistakes will happen and we all grow and learn from it. 💚💚💚