We are also registered to accept child tax credits and childcare vouchers. Drop off/pick-up from Halfway The setting consists of myself and my husband Andy, and we are both qualified in Childcare Level 3. We have two assistants, Allesse, and Olivia (Lulu) who have both completed their Level 2 in Childcare. Our business celebrates our 12-year anniversary this year and we have cared for over 100 chi
ldren during that time. Our day usually consists of free play, while Andy is on the school run and then an hour of singing and dancing where we encourage all children to join in. We then have a snack and structured learning and activities until lunchtime. After lunch we try and get into the garden for some fresh air, weather permitting and then more activities followed by quiet time (story time, looking at books, television for short time) while Andy is on the school run. We then serve dinner and more free play until all the darlings are collected. Any darlings who need a nap can do so in peace and quiet away from the main playroom. We try and stick to any set routines that you may have as much as possible. We are a busy setting and would usually have between 8 and 12 children on various days. The beauty of Dawnies Darlings is we offer 1-1 childcare in a home environment, but also offer a lot of social interaction with other children of different ages. Dawnies Darlings is run from our 4-bedroom home in Minster-on-Sea and has its own separate entrance, cloakroom area, and toilet which leads into our main playroom. This area was converted from our double tandem garage, and every year we have looked at ways to improve our setting, to enable us to give our darlings the best start in life. The entrance hall displays my Ofsted certificate, along with all our qualifications, training, and Public Liability Insurance certificates. We were inspected by Ofsted in February 2022 and maintained our Outstanding grading. Most of our indoor activities take place in the main playroom, including an area for craft and baking and structured learning. We have recently added a new toilet and sink within the playroom for the darlings to use and they have a potty and step to assist them with their toileting needs and to encourage their independence. We have tried to create an environment that promotes the Characteristics of Effective Learning, giving the children the essential knowledge they need to prepare them for future success and giving them the best possible start to their early education (cultural capital). We have tried to offer a more curious approach to our setting, introducing more natural resources for the children to explore and offer them a place they can feel at home, safe and relaxed whilst creating a fun atmosphere. We have a good balance between children making purposeful choices about their learning activities (child-initiated) and adult-led activities. We also have a smaller baby room which we use for the younger children, with age-appropriate toys and resources. We find this room especially useful when settling in new darlings. We have a large kitchen to prepare all meals and snacks, including a hot meal when the after-school children join us from Halfway Houses Primary School. All our darlings sit at a table or in a highchair during mealtimes where we encourage good table manners. We use 3 bedrooms upstairs with travel cots for nap times, along with various buggies for children who prefer to nap this way. All rooms have monitors, and the children are checked at regular intervals and the time recorded in our baby sleeping log. Children under the age of 2 will be given a Childcare Daily Diary which is used to record the activities of the day as well as nappy changes, any bottles given, naps taken, and all meals and snacks they have eaten. All children will have a Learning Journey which is completed by their keyworker. This Learning Journey documents observations and photographic evidence of your child, showing significant learning in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and links the 7 areas of learning. It will be shared with parents and carers every few months, and we welcome and encourage feedback. Once your child reaches school age, we will ensure they are school ready making this transition easier for both parents and children. Our setting is in a residential area which is incredibly quiet and is on a circular road with no through access meaning little traffic. This also helps promote a safe and secure environment for the children. We have access to our garden all year round due to our artificial grass. We have a large garden that is fully enclosed and secure, with immediate access from the main playroom, which is also our closest fire exit. We have an awning area to provide lots of shelter in the summer months and pots for the children to grow flowers and vegetables. We also have a very wide range of outdoor resources, including a trampoline, playhouse, pirate ship, climbing frame, slide, sensory wall, mud kitchen, chalk board and an area for reading and writing. We also have a sandpit, water play, ball pit and a variety of sit on cars and toys. We are eligible to receive funding for 2,3 and 4-year-olds. Pattern of Delivery:
I offer 15 universal hours between the following hours:
9.00am – 2.00pm, or 10.30am – 3.30pm, 3 days a week or between the hours of 8.00am until 3.30pm, 2 days a week. I offer 30 universal and extended hours between the hours of 8.00am – 3.30pm, or 8.30am – 4.00pm, 4 days a week or 7.30am until 5.30pm, 3 days a week. Other hours may be discussed, and we also offer stretched funding if required.
`Entitlement to a Free Early Education place does not offer a guarantee of a place at any one provider or a particular pattern of delivery’. Please contact me for more information or to arrange to visit the setting.
