Little Explorers Heighington - Amy Smith Childminder

The week that includes Earth day, we took the opportunity to gain some sustainability skills, reduce our carbon footprint a little, we learned to bake bread, planted an apple tree, and have begun to grow our potato’s and peas, we’ve also planted out our kale and shallots, lots of vegetable produce for us to enjoy for the rest of the year x

To all of my fellow childminders, nursery workers, early years teachers, I think you’re amazing ❤️ , enjoy the long weekend xx

Let me just say this… childcare isn’t just physically exhausting.

It’s mentally exhausting in a way that people on the outside will never fully understand.

You are “on” all day long.

Watching.
Listening.
Anticipating.
Preventing.
Redirecting.
Comforting.
Teaching.

Your brain never shuts off.

You’re thinking:
Who needs a diaper?
Who’s about to climb that shelf?
Who looks like they’re about to bite?
Who’s too quiet?
Who’s crying?
Who didn’t eat?
Who needs logged?
Who needs comforted?

All. Day. Long.

And while you’re juggling all of that… you’re also trying to stay patient, stay calm, and make it look easy.

But inside?

You’re overstimulated.
You’re touched out.
You’re mentally drained.

And then at the end of the day, when the room finally quiets down… your brain doesn’t.

You replay the day.

“I should’ve handled that better.”
“I wish I had more patience in that moment.”
“Did I give them enough attention?”

And instead of feeling proud that you kept a whole group of children safe, cared for, and loved…

You feel guilty.

That’s the mental toll of childcare.

It’s carrying the weight of every child, every moment, every decision… even after the day is over.

So if you’re feeling exhausted in a way you can’t quite explain…

It’s not just you.

It’s the job.

And you’re doing better than you think.

We are currently full until September 2027 ❤️

As part of the funded childcare that has been expanded we are required to be transparent about fees, I try to be fair with my charges and provide an affordable, good value service which is child focused, nurturing and friendly.

A full days childcare which starts at 7.30 and ends at 5.30 costs just £50, apart from a £3 charge for lunch everything else is included, this means nappies, wipes, suncream, snacks, breakfast (before 8.30), and a larger snack at teatime, outings all come with no additional fee.
Lunch is charged at £3 a child and is usually a hot home cooked meal followed by a desert of fruit, yoghurt, milky pudding or a home baked treat. There is no requirement to stay for lunch, this is offered as an opt in or opt out basis and you have the option to send a healthy balanced ready to eat lunch box. Please find attached photos of some of our meals :)

I charge in arrears, you will receive an invoice in the 3rd week of the month and will expect payment in full by the last week day of the month. I offer complete funded places, the only condition is I offer full days care only, no short sessions.

Send a message to learn more

As part of the funded childcare that has been expanded we are required to be transparent about fees, I try to be fair with my charges and provide an affordable, good value service which is child focused, nurturing and friendly.
A full days childcare which starts at 7.30 and ends at 5.30 costs just £50, apart from a £3 charge for lunch everything else is included, this means nappies, wipes, suncream, snacks, breakfast (before 8.30), and a larger snack at teatime, outings all come with no additional fee.
Lunch is charged at £3 a child and is usually a hot home cooked meal followed by a desert of fruit, yoghurt, milky pudding or a home baked treat. There is no requirement to stay for lunch, this is offered as an opt in or opt out basis and you have the option to send a healthy balanced ready to eat lunch box. Please find attached photos of some of our meals 🙂
I charge in arrears, you will receive an invoice in the 3rd week of the month and will expect payment in full by the last week day of the month. I offer complete funded places, the only condition is I offer full days care only, no short sessions.

All about February! X

My favourite artists making a colourful curtain for our window 🥰

Nothing is quite as much fun as a box 🥰

January so far…❤️

A 3 hour power cut almost ruined our Christmas party but Santa saved the day, luckily he arrived by sleigh and not by EV. Thank you Santa for finding time to visit us xx