Karen's Childminding

07/11/2025

Is your child starting primary school next year?

If they were born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, you need to apply for their school place.

Closing date is Thursday 15 January 2026, to give your child the best shot at their chosen school, make sure to:

📅 Apply on time
🏫 Name three preferred schools
📍 Include your catchment area school

Late applications will only be considered after national offer day, so don’t miss out!

For more information and to apply click here➡️ https://f.mtr.cool/xirztopkyt

04/11/2025

We have a few spaces remaining on the sleep tight course running in Dinnington, starting on 6th November Please message the page to book on.

09/05/2024

Calling all future firefighters… Get yourself down to our 999 fun day on The Moor Sheffield this Sunday! From big red trucks to specialist rescue services, we’ve got it all. Find out more at: moorsheffield.com

16/04/2024

Aston All Saints C of E School

I have some limited places for afterschool care available now. I am also taking place reservations for September.

24/03/2024

School readiness?
Is my child ready for school?

We understand the pressure parents and carers might feel as the thought of children starting school looms ever closer. It may feel daunting, with a societal push to get them ready quicker, faster sooner. To formally write their names. But what does ‘school readiness mean?’

Did you know focusing on ‘handwriting’ and getting children to formally practice writing their name, is not necessary in preparation for school!

It won’t matter if a child can recite the alphabet, count to 100 or write their name on the first day of school.

It won’t matter if they know all their letters and you have primed children to sound them out !

Consider instead …..

▪️Ability to make friends, confident to separate from you, the main carer will make their first day much easier. Focus on Happiness not handwriting 🙏🏼

▪️Can your child communicate their needs.

▪️Can they open their lunch box independently ? Get their shoes and coat on and off independently ?

▪️Get into their snacks, access their drink bottle without asking for help?

Let’s remember, your child won’t know their new teacher ( maybe they’ve only met them on a couple of brief occasions )

So a child maybe nervous or reluctant to ask for help!

So forming letters on a page and having the ability to write their name isn’t going to assist them as they navigate through the school day .

Readiness for school is not academics, it’s a competence, confidence and independence within a child.

Let’s empower children with the skills they WILL need! To be as independent as possible and have the ability to make FRIENDS ! ❤️

If your child already goes to a nursery or a childminder this is what the educator Is helping with all this time. 🙌🏼

Maybe as a parent you’ve secretly thought “They are just playing, why aren’t they formally teaching my child anything ?”

Omg! This is the best thing they could of ever done for your child 🙌🏼

Play is the brains favourite way of learning, and Early Years actually goes on until the END of reception year !

So actually your child needs to KEEP on PLAYING. ( even after reception year)

Your child’s Early Childhood setting is doing an incredible job to prepare your child for school ! 🙌🏼🏆

Children don’t need ‘school readiness’

Schools need ‘new children readiness.’

Finally, Did you know starting school in other countries doesn’t begin until a child is 7 and is actually far more beneficial! 🙌🏼

So let’s relax, enjoy the Easter break and the upcoming Summer term ahead.

Share this post to anyone who might need to hear these reassuring words ♥️

Here’s some blogs you might like ⬇️ and scroll back on this weeks posts all about readiness for school

* GREAT NEWS 5 part ‘school readiness’ PDF magazine series will be available to download after EASTER 🙌🏼🎉 FOLLOW * LIKE * SHARE ❤️

09/01/2024

If your child was born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 then you can now apply for their school place to start Reception.

You still need to apply if your child attends a nursery as children do not automatically transfer from nursery to school.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 15 January 2024.

Apply online at: https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/school-admissions-3/starting-primary-school

05/08/2023

I have some after school spaces available from September for collection from Aston All Saints Church of England School.

Please contact me on 07919155075 for further information.

24/03/2023

Our Encore group is open to all parents / carers of children with any sort of additional needs (no diagnosis required).

Come along for a coffee and a chat with our Inclusion Manager Janet and our Community Outreach Worker Sam - children are welcome to attend or you can come alone.

Nothing to pay and no need to book - Wednesday 29th March 1-2pm at Aston Parish Hall.

20/06/2022

This week all the little ones are taking part in the Barnardo’s Big Toddle event.
Please donate on the just giving page or I have some paper sponsor forms too 😊
Thank you!

Help Karen Hancock raise money to support Barnardo's

19/04/2022

I have some after school spaces available from September for Aston All Saints C of E Primary School. I also have a very limited amount of spaces available now.

I currently have a one day a week space for a 0-5 year old, with additional spaces/days becoming available from the end of July.