The Nourished Child

Tonight we travelled a little through Turkey… and a little through Italy too! 🤣🇹🇷🇮🇹

🍞 Homemade rosemary focaccia
🥙 Turkish Adana kebabs
🍚 Turkish rice
🥗 Fresh salad
🌿 Mint yoghurt

Different flavours, fresh ingredients and lots of happy little tummies around the table.

❤️ Good food. Little hearts. Big love.

🌿✨🍞🥙🍚

Settling in sessions are such an important part of the journey, not just for children, but for parents and practitioners too.

Today, I welcomed a little one for a settling-in visit before he starts his adventures with us. If I’m honest, I’d spent a little time wondering how he might find being away from Mum for the first time.

Well… he proved me completely wrong! 😊

Not a single tear. No pining for Mum. Instead, he happily explored, discovered treasures in our basket, enjoyed some fruit bread, and spent time alongside the other children as they chatted and played.

It was a lovely reminder that successful settling begins long before a child’s first official day.

Over the last few years, I’ve introduced home visits before children start with me. Sitting in a child’s own environment, sharing a cup of coffee and a chat with parents, and spending time getting to know one another helps build those early relationships and gives children the opportunity to see me in a place where they already feel safe and secure.

I also provide families with a settling-in guide filled with simple ideas to help prepare children for childcare. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Spending short periods with grandparents, a trusted friend or family member, popping out for a coffee, encouraging independent sleep routines, or helping children learn to self-soothe can all help build confidence before they begin their childcare journey.

Taking time to build relationships, share information and create trust gives everyone the confidence they need. Children begin to feel familiar with their surroundings, parents can see the care, play and experiences on offer, and practitioners gain a deeper understanding of what makes each child unique.

When children, parents and practitioners all feel safe, valued, listened to and supported, those first steps become so much easier.

Today was a gentle reminder of the importance of connection and partnership. What started as a settling session quickly became a lovely morning of play, exploration and new friendships.

I have a feeling this little one is going to have some wonderful adventures ahead with us. 🌿✨

Sometimes people see childminding as simply looking after children. Those of us who do it know it’s so much more.

It’s relationships, trust, partnership and becoming part of a family’s village.

We may be small settings, but the impact we have on children and families can be enormous. 💛

This weekend reminded me how much I love being in the kitchen. ❤️

There’s something so satisfying about spending time creating food for the week ahead and seeing it all come together.

Over the weekend I made homemade wraps, soft rolls, brioche, fruit bread, quiche, chicken meatloaf, roasted chicken, homemade butter and even buttermilk ready for banana pancakes.

I love opening the fridge and freezer and knowing they're stocked with homemade goodness. It makes busy weeks that little bit easier and mealtimes that little bit more special.

Cooking has always been one of the ways I switch off. Give me a recipe, some music, a cup of tea and a few hours in the kitchen and I'm happy.

The best part? Knowing the people I care about will enjoy it all over the coming days.

Now I just need to stop finding new things to make from scratch... although I can't promise anything! 😂🧈🍞

🌿 Hello June 🌿

A new month, a fresh season and endless opportunities for curiosity, connection and adventure.

From muddy toes and garden discoveries to homemade food, woodland walks and time spent with our Grandfriends, June is all about slowing down and noticing the magic in the everyday.

Here’s to a month of wonder, laughter, learning and making beautiful memories together. ☀️💚

Beach day 💙

It’s a beach day 💙

A morning like this is exactly why I reopened the back garden space again 🌿☀️

Today we welcomed our lovely friends from Lulabelle's Childcare, and honestly… it was one of those mornings that fills your cup right up.

Mud pies were being carefully created, “hot chocolates” were poured from the mud kitchen, potions were mixed with great importance, crates became a stage, and the children burst into song with huge smiles on their faces. Even Louise treated us to a little sing song 🎶🤎

The beauty of mornings like this is watching what happens when children are simply given the freedom, resources, and time to truly play. Loose parts became whatever they needed them to be, imaginations took over, and the children completely immersed themselves in their own little worlds.

Watching them all together today, so engrossed, so connected, so happy… it reminded me why this garden matters so much. After everything the back area has been through over the last few months, seeing it full of laughter, friendship, creativity, and muddy little hands again honestly feels a bit magical.

The children led the morning entirely themselves. They negotiated, created, performed, explored, problem solved, and welcomed each other into play so beautifully. Those are the moments that matter. The real childhood moments. ❤️

Thank you so much to our lovely friends at Lulabelle’s for spending the morning with us. We absolutely loved having you here and can’t wait to do it again 🌿

Homemade fruit bread on the menu today 🍞🤎

Toasted, buttered and proudly prepared by the children themselves.

One little one collected the plates afterwards, scraped the leftovers into the food bin and carefully carried everything to the sink. Chairs pushed in too, without even being asked.

These tiny everyday moments matter so much.
Building confidence, independence, good manners and a sense of belonging within our little community.

Never just snack time at The Nourished Child ✨

Sunday kitchen prep at The Nourished Child 🤍

I’ve spent the day baking homemade bread rolls for the week ahead, preparing fresh quiche for lunches and making two lovely loaf cakes in the kitchen 🍞

For the children, I made an almond and raspberry loaf with oats, oat flour, local honey and juicy raspberries baked through the middle 🍓

And for me? A blueberry, banana and lemon drizzle loaf for a quiet cuppa once the week slows down a little 🍋☕️

There’s something so comforting about preparing homemade food ready for busy childminding days, little conversations around the table and cosy moments together.

Now excuse me while I “quality check” another warm bread roll straight from the board 😅