Every season brings new adventures. Children take ownership of their learning and play supported by myself and two highly experienced practitioners, with teaching degrees in Early Years, Art and Design, and Primary School Education. Our excursions to the local seaside and the woods are wonderful worlds for exploring, where children can immerse themselves in nature. Children are part of a family with full use of my home and garden, that
I have designed with little people in mind. The terraced house, is set off the road and is a safe and stimulating environment for play. Found objects and handmade resources inspire curiosity and creative thinking. Resources are add to and adapted according to children's ever changing interests. Our small ratios and devoted time help each and every child to develop holistically growing into happy, confident individuals, ready for school and beyond. Qualifications and Experience
I have a postgraduate, teaching status in Early Years (NVQ6). I am fine art trained with a degree specialising in sculpture. Additionally, I have a CACHE level 3 award in Home Based Child Care and I lead the new art school ‘Little Nest Events’ in North Somerset. I have 13 years’ experience working in childcare in both educational and home-based settings, including, Holiday Clubs, Children’s Centres, Nursery School, Pre School and Nannying. I have worked as the manager of a baby and preschool room, as the Safeguarding Lead and as a Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator. I have worked in management as a Reflective Practice Lead ensuring and developing quality care and teaching. I have worked closely and professionally with a huge range of families, parents and children and am a mother to a little girl myself. Little Green Home has two assistants, an experienced primary school teacher with a degree in primary education, and an experienced Early Years practitioner with an NVQ3 in childcare and a mother of one. We are all trained in Safeguarding, Paediatric First aid and Food Hygiene. We all hold enhanced DBS disclosures. Our additional training/experience includes:
Makaton (baby signing)
Speech and Language development
Management and Leadership
Special Educational Needs, including Portage
Hearing Impairment
Children’s mental wellbeing
Leadership in safeguarding
The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum
Primary Education and The National Curriculum
The curriculum
Learning is based in play and teaching is child focused and tailored to individual needs and learning styles. The Early Years Foundation Stage is taught through a varied, diverse, and flexible curriculum that encourages hands-on, real-world opportunities, inspired by the changing weathers and seasons. "Play is the medium through which children learn and develop. Despite its fun and enjoyable nature, children’s play is extremely complex and fundamentally builds the neuro connections of the brain. Children who are encouraged to play, in an environment where play is valued and used a medium to teach, will be intrinsically motivated to learn." The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) underpins everything we do, including our planning, observation and assessment. Additionally, we follow a planning system called “Planning In The Moment”, which was pioneered by Anna Ephgrave.
“Babies and young children are experiencing and learning in the here and now, not storing up their questions until tomorrow or next week. It is in that moment of curiosity, puzzlement, effort or interest- the ‘teachable moment’- that the skilful adult makes a difference." We draw strongly on influences from Chris Athey, Schemas in the Early Years, and outdoor schools, such as Forest School. Good Food
Little Green Home encourages healthy eating for our children. We know the benefits of better food include advanced concentration & ability to learn, better social skills, improved physical health & increased well-being. Our children plant and grow herbs, fruits and vegetables in the garden that we use within our home cooked meals. The seasonal menu rotates every two weeks ensuring children gain familiarity when trying new foods whilst balancing nutrition and variety. Outings and visits
We take the children on trips out in the community so that they broaden their understanding of the real world and provide new, exciting opportunities for learning such as visiting shops and cafes, libraries, attractions, animal farms and playgrounds. We also hugely promote the importance of children learning within the natural world. Our curriculum involves excursions to the local beach, wood and riverside. Parents and Careers
At Little Green Home we work in partnership with parents and aim to develop close, professional relationships with children and their families. We are always available to speak to about any concerns or queries you may have and ensure detailed handovers at the beginning and end of a child’s day. Handovers will be tailored to those things that are really important to the individual child and parent. Parents are encouraged to contribute to children’s learning experience and written journals, as we appreciate you know your child better than anyone else. We hugely value the incredible and sometimes challenging role of being a parent and strive to work in a way that’s benefits everyone. Safety and Security
All staff hold enhanced DBS disclosures. The house and garden are fully enclosed, and baby/child proofed as far as possible. We adhere to a strict visitor’s policy and collection from named parent/carers only. We have full Safeguarding and Health and Safety polices that include daily risk assessment and outings risk assessments. All of our policies are available at request. Equal Opportunities
We take care to ensure that each individual is treated as a person in their own right, whether they are an adult or a child. It is essential to make sure that no-one is disadvantaged or discriminated against for any reason. We are committed to creating an environment in which individual differences and everyone’s contributions are recognised and valued and we believe in promoting dignity and respect to all. Please contact me for any further information or to enquire about hours, places and fees.
