Gemma's Childminding

Another week of fun!!

We have enjoyed exploring the chalk making our marks on the tuff tray, chalkboard, patio and our bodies 😂

We got a new slide - very exciting!!

We have enjoyed going the allotment - everything is growing - our french beans have sprouted, the strawberries are turning red, i noticed over the weekend there are some pea pods and our giant pumpkin is growing a new leaf everyday!!

We even got up close with the chickens (one day by accident) even though a tad chaotic the children and the chickens survived so we did it again on Friday and all was much calmer!!

There has also been water play, fun with shaving foam and my BSL animal signs have been put to the test (so far we have done things found in the garden and colours in our sessions but I think i did quite well with the help of the BSL app!!)

There is always so much going on, sometimes its hard to keep up with the children!! xx

Today we had our 2nd session of TinyTalk Lincoln Baby Signing and Toddler Talking.

Its something I know some of my current cohort did when they were babies and I thought it would be nice for them to continue now that Emmalee has started doing the toddler signing sessions.

There are not many photos from the session bcause not only are the children learning the signs - I am too!!

I find it fascinating that its possible to communicate without the complete use of spoken language. With a few simple signs a child's needs can be understood and met without much upset to both parties.

Today we learnt colours and the weather (a staple in English conversation) 🌧🌩❄️🌪🌈

Only just remembered I had created these collages of last weeks shenanigans!! Xx

I have had some new signs made for the gate at the house and for the gate at the allotment by GS Bespoke Woodwork - both look amazing!! Xx

This photo sums up our day!! (wellies, raincoat, sun hat and sunglasses - all potential weathers covered!!)

We left for the allotment this morning with blue skies and white fluffy clouds. No sooner had we got there the clouds turned black and there was the biggest downpour - mad dash to shelter in our neightbouring allotments polytunnel (luckily belonging to my husband).

Back to the garden after a quick tidy and the blue sky is back.

Eating out lunch alfresco and the rain starts again - inside we go for a picnic on the rug!!

Now we have just had a hailstone shower - children were unphased they just went and got their coats and carried on playing!!

You can tell we live in England multiple seasons in a day!! Xx

Just popped down to the allotment to check on th chickens.

Looking around at everything that is growing makes feel so proud of what the children have done.
They are so good at the watering and the planting.

They need to work on their weeding skills but its not my favourite task either and also the worry is they will pull up what is supposed to be growing!

They love going down to see the chickens and occasionally collect the eggs if we come late enough (these hens dont like laying early like the textbook says they should!!)

All in all its a lovely experience for everyone.

Hopefully as the summer term progress we will do some more forest school type activities down there as there isnt too much to as nature takes it course (growing is a slow process!!)

We have had to net the lettuces, tomatoes, strawberries and fence off the sunflowers as we have been getting visits from the bunnies!! 🐰 Xx

Our week in photos! Xx

I saw this and its very true!!

We speak about children who have left my setting quite regularly - we remember what they did when they were here and are always surprised when we think about how old they are now. They are in my setting for such a small amount of time but very much leave their marks!! Xx