Butterflies Childminding Services

Monday morning invitations to play set up following the children's currrent interests 🌳🤎🍄☀️🫖🌙

A few from this weeks set ups ✨🤎🍄🌳🌙

Banning children from Technology... Sir Keir Starmer Announcements

I’ve been thinking a lot about the discussions around banning social media platforms, including YouTube, for children, and I’d genuinely love to hear other people’s views.

As a parent and an Early Years practitioner, I’ve seen both sides of this debate.

I’ve watched one of my children grow up before social media and technology became such a huge part of everyday life, and another grow up in a world where the internet, social media and devices are everywhere. I’ve seen the positives and the negatives.

I’ve seen children fall out online, experience bullying, harassment and friendship issues that simply didn’t exist when we were younger. But I’ve also seen technology bring children together, connect young people from different countries and cultures, and create opportunities for learning that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.

As a Curiosity Approach accredited setting, my own view is that young children don’t need endless access to technology. They need nature. They need fresh air. They need to climb trees, build dens, explore habitats, notice the changing seasons, discover insects, collect sticks and stones, and develop a real connection with the world around them.

However, I also believe technology has a place when it’s used purposefully and under adult guidance.

For example, in our setting we might watch footage of London’s New Year fireworks because the children weren’t awake to see them at midnight. We might look at Chinese dragon dances during Lunar New Year celebrations or explore animals and habitats from around the world that we simply couldn’t experience firsthand. Used in this way, technology can extend learning and spark curiosity.

What concerns me more is unrestricted access to social media and the way many children now expect everything instantly. So much content is designed to grab attention immediately that children can struggle with patience, perseverance and delayed gratification. Real life doesn’t work that way. Growing plants takes time. Building friendships takes time. Learning new skills takes time.

I also think we need to talk about the role adults play. Many parents spend hours on social media themselves, often while their children are sitting beside them. Sometimes tablets and devices have become the modern babysitter, and that’s something we should reflect on honestly.

So my view is this:

✅ Technology can be a fantastic educational tool when used with purpose and supervision.

✅ Young children benefit most from real-world experiences, play, nature and human interaction.

❌ I don’t believe very young children need social media.

❌ I don’t think unrestricted access to platforms and algorithms is healthy.

The question isn’t whether technology is good or bad. It’s about how, when and why it’s being used.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you agree with restrictions for children? What age do you think is appropriate for social media, smartphones and independent internet access?

Please keep the discussion respectful – it’s a complex issue and there are valid perspectives on both sides.

✨ Meet the Team – Jazmine (aka Jaja!) ✨

Hi, I’m Jazmine, but most of the children know me as Jaja! 💛

I’m the brains behind a lot of what happens here. I have a Law degree, a passion for policy, and enough random qualifications to fill an entire school! (Need an eyelash technician? I’ve got that covered too! 😂)

If you’ve read one of our policies, contracts, procedures, or official documents, there’s a good chance it was written by me. I love making sure everything is fair, clear, and compliant, and I’m always looking for ways to improve the experience for children, families, and childcare professionals alike.

I’m also a passionate advocate for fairness within the childcare sector. I’ll happily debate anyone (or anything!) when it comes to standing up for childminders and ensuring they are treated fairly and valued for the incredible work they do.

Childminding has always been part of my life. I grew up surrounded by it, with Ellie being my mum and Stefan being my dad, and I started my own childminding journey at just 16 years old. Since then, I’ve loved being part of children’s learning, development, and everyday adventures.

When I’m not working, I’m completely cat mad! 🐾 In fact, my pride and joy is my Bengal cat, Simba, who I affectionately refer to as my child. If there’s an opportunity to talk about cats, there’s a very good chance I’ll take it!

Whether I’m writing policies, supporting families, campaigning for change, cuddling Simba, or getting involved in messy play, you’ll usually find me with plenty to say and a determination to make a difference! 🌟

Yes I will insert a photo of my cat Simba he truly is the love of my life

Can we talk honestly about childminding for a moment?

Because I'm tired of hearing that childcare providers are charging too much, or that childminders are somehow making a fortune from looking after children.

The reality couldn't be further from the truth.

Being a childminder isn't just playing with children all day.

It's opening your home before most people start work and often finishing long after they've gone home.

It's providing a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn, explore, grow in confidence, make friends, and feel secure.

It's planning activities, preparing meals, cleaning, risk assessing, completing training, keeping up with regulations, writing observations, tracking development, supporting school readiness, communicating with parents, and being a consistent, trusted adult in a child's life.

It's a profession.

And like any profession, it comes with costs.

Food costs more.

Utilities cost more.

Fuel costs more.

Resources cost more.

Insurance costs more.

Training costs more.

Everything costs more.

Yet somehow childcare providers are expected to absorb these increases year after year while being criticised for charging sustainable fees.

The introduction of funded childcare has helped many families access childcare, which is fantastic.

But what many people don't realise is that "funded" doesn't always mean fully funded.

There is often a significant gap between what it actually costs to deliver quality childcare and what providers receive.

And that gap has to be managed somehow.

Many childminders are not becoming wealthy.

Many are working incredibly long hours, using evenings and weekends to complete paperwork, prepare activities, clean equipment, update learning records, and keep their businesses running.

Some are questioning whether they can afford to stay in the profession at all.

And that's heartbreaking.

Because when a childminder leaves, it's not just a business that disappears.

Families lose flexibility.

Children lose familiar faces and trusted relationships.

Communities lose experienced early years professionals.

Parents lose valuable childcare places.

The biggest concern shouldn't be whether childminders charge for meals, outings, resources, or additional services.

The biggest concern should be why so many dedicated childcare professionals are finding it increasingly difficult to remain in the sector.

I love what I do.

I love watching children learn new skills, build confidence, make friendships, and reach milestones.

I love being part of their journey.

But loving what we do shouldn't mean we're expected to do it at a loss.

Childminders deserve respect.

Childminders deserve recognition.

And childminders deserve to earn a fair living for the vital role they play in supporting children and families every single day.

Because without childminders, many families simply couldn't work.

And that's a conversation worth having.

♻️ ♻️ ♻️♻️♻️♻️♻️♻️♻️♻️♻️♻️
Do you know we have won lots of awards for our sustainability programme? 💚

We are the Curiosity Approaches Sustainabilty Champion 🥇🪴

What is your setting doing to help combat climate change? 🌾🌼🌻♻️