Charlotte Bacon Childminding

So that's it. The end of an era.

After 20 plus years of childminding, and over 30years in childcare, I am no longer a childminder or in the childcare industry.

I have had the pleasure of caring for so many children, too many to count. I have been very fortunate to have had wonderful families, and lovely children.

I have made some very special childminding friends who I hope will be friends for life.

It's been a blast. I have loved it. But now it feels the right time for new things. To have my home back. To concentrate on other things (mainly crazy long running events).

Thank you to every mum and dad for trusting me with their babies. Thank you to all the childminders in the area who have helped make the job easier over the years. Childminding can be very lonely. So without childminding friends it's a very difficult job.

Onto new things now 😀

https://www.facebook.com/139782679378764/posts/4771722216184764/

Did you know that a 3-year old (top left image) and a 6-year old (top right image) have significantly different skeletal structure in their hands?! Notice the bones in the wrist of the 3-year old -- many of them are still mostly cartilage! Look at all the spaces in between the bones where muscles and tendons will change through the years. Even the difference between a 6-year old and a 14-year old (lower right) is huge!
Preschoolers have SO much development to do before they can write the way school-aged children or adults can!
Please do NOT stress if your preschooler does not want to write or draw. Some love it and some don't.
While they are growing, strengthen those little bones and muscles! Here are some great pre-writing, muscle-strengthening activities:
* painting, drawing, coloring
* playdough
* tearing and cutting
* gluing
* poking holes in things (try toothpicks and paper!)
* digging in dirt
* building with LEGOS, marble runs, or other blocks
* beading (try beads, cut straws, or even bobbins!)
* puzzles
* squeezing (try stress balls, squeezing water in a sponge, or using a pipette)
* picking up and throwing balls (use different sizes!)
* playing with toys (watch what their little fingers do when they pick up and move little cars, marbles, action figures, etc!)

These all strengthen and help develop little hands, muscles, and bones. When they are physically ready to write, it will be so much easier than if they were pushed when they didn't want to and weren't ready! ❤

Credit to Preschool Powol Packets - Preschool Activities & Ideas
https://www.facebook.com/PreschoolPowolPackets/

Please can i remind all my parents the difference between LFT and PCR.

If you have no symptoms, then you take a Lateral Flow Test.

If you have symptoms, then you MUST take a PCR, either by going to a test centre or having one sent through the post.

Since the schools have reopened in September, the cases are on the rise. All the local schools in the area are rife with children being tested positive with Covid.

Please get a PCR test if you have symptoms.

This morning i had my Food Hygiene inspection. Pleased to announce i have been given a 5 rating 😀

We are having a jigsaw morning 😀 🧩

February

A few photos from February

A few photos from January

There's a dog somewhere under the blankets 😂

I think 1 pot of black paint is better than 5 pots of different colours 😂