Roxanne's Little Explorers Childminding

Roxanne's Little Explorers Childminding Bespoke childcare carefully crafted to cater for families and children 9 months to 3 years. Ofsted Registered garden setting.

29/09/2026

We’ve been reading this gorgeous story with the most beautiful pictures of a fox this autumn… and today was the day we turned into them! FOXES! 🦊🍂

I took some cardboard templates and glue to the woods and we searched for leaves. I did have visions of lots of beautiful reds and oranges, but sadly there weren’t many in the spot we’d chosen to do our craft 😂 It didn’t matter in the slightest though!

We counted how many green, brown, yellow, dark and light variations we could find, talked about all the different colours and textures, then spread glue ALL over our cardboard and patted our leaves on.

We chatted about the story, about foxes and what they get up to in autumn, where they live and what they eat… then attached some string and prowled around the woods pretending to be foxes, much to everyone’s delight 🥰🦊

Such a simple activity, but sooo much learning tucked into it without it feeling like “learning” at all… counting, colour recognition, language, fine motor skills, creativity, understanding the world and lots of imaginative play.

And I have to say… the tails were pretty cute too 😂🍁

ChildminderLife EarlyYears AutumnCrafts ForestSchoolInspired

Every year I find myself searching for a simple guide I can share with parents and caregivers about layering children pr...
28/09/2026

Every year I find myself searching for a simple guide I can share with parents and caregivers about layering children properly for outdoor play 🍂🌿

Because there really is a bit of an art to keeping little ones warm enough, without ending up hot, sweaty and uncomfortable once they start running, climbing and exploring!

So I’ve made one myself this year 🙌

It’s a simple guide to what children might need at different temperatures, from base layers and fleeces to waterproofs, hats and wellies. Of course every child is different, but hopefully it gives you a really useful starting point for getting dressed for a day outdoors.

Please feel free to save it, share it, screenshot it or send it to anyone who might find it helpful ❤️

Here’s to muddy knees, rosy cheeks and lots more time outside 🍁🥾🌧️

This is exactly what we hoped would happen when we made them. 🤎Same set of blocks.A house.A bus.A ramp.A castle.A road.A...
27/09/2026

This is exactly what we hoped would happen when we made them. 🤎

Same set of blocks.

A house.
A bus.
A ramp.
A castle.
A road.
A small-world scene.
A huge collaborative build.

And apparently something interesting enough that even an 11 year old wanted in on the action. 😂

There is no single way to play with them and that’s really the whole point.

We wanted to create something simple, beautiful and sturdy that could sit in a garden, nursery, childminding setting or playroom and become whatever the children needed it to become that day.

No fixed outcome.
No elaborate set-up needed.
Just open-ended play with BIG possibilities. 🌿

Seeing our blocks now being used in completely different settings by children of different ages is probably my favourite part of making them. And the messages and reviews people have sent us have been so lovely to read. 🥹

Swipe through to see some of the incredible things children have already created with them ➡️

Our handmade wooden block sets are suitable for indoor and outdoor use and are available with an optional handmade storage crate.

If you’d like more information or would like to order a set, just send me a message. 🤎

Less stuff. Less instruction. More imagination.

23/09/2026

🍂 AUTUMN LANTERNS 🍁✨

Caring for children of different ages, I’ve found that while open-ended play is so important, sometimes my older children will actively seek out an adult-led craft with a fixed outcome… and honestly, it really excites them! 🤎

There’s something lovely about having an idea to work towards, choosing where everything will go, concentrating on the tiny details and then getting that “LOOK WHAT I MADE!” moment at the end.

These little autumn lanterns were perfect for that. 🍁

They’re brilliant for fine motor practice too: carefully picking up delicate leaves and flowers, positioning them, smoothing them down and working slowly and precisely. And because it’s something they can largely manage independently, there’s such a lovely sense of ownership when that lantern finally lights up ✨

We used pressed leaves and flowers that we’d saved from last autumn, but you could easily make the activity part of a longer seasonal project. Head out for a walk, collect fallen leaves and flowers together, talk about what you notice changing around you, press your treasures… then come back to them a week or so later to make your lantern. 🍂🌼

So much learning tucked quietly inside one beautiful little craft…

EYFS links 🌿
🍁 Physical Development: developing fine motor control, hand-eye coordination and precision
🍁 Understanding the World: noticing seasonal change, exploring natural materials and talking about autumn
🍁 Expressive Arts & Design: choosing, arranging and combining materials to create something meaningful
🍁 Communication & Language: new vocabulary, conversation about colour, texture, plants and the seasons
🍁 PSED: independence, concentration, perseverance and pride in completing something themselves

And then, of course, you get to turn the lights down and watch their little creation glow. 🕯️🍁✨

22/09/2026

Today, we saw a glimmer. ✨
That glimmer we wait for so desperately as caregivers, as nurturers, as the people holding tiny humans through their biggest feelings.
The moment when you look around and suddenly, just for a second, you can see how it’s going to be.
Settled. Happy. Curious little people investigating the world through nature’s lens.
That unplugged, romanticised childhood we’re trying so hard to give them.
Tiny toes wiggling in wet grass. The absolute awe of discovering a ladybird. Autumn sunshine bouncing off shiny little heads. Chubby hands reaching out to explore. A giggle when their eyes meet yours.
Today, I saw it.
Only for a moment. Just a glimmer.
But goodness, I needed it. ❤️
Because those settling-in days can be HARD.
The crying. The aching arms. The moments when you desperately need a drink of water and a wee at exactly the same time, but you can’t bear to put anyone down.
The moments when you question everything.
Is this really right? Am I doing enough? Will we ever get there?
And then...
A glimmer. ✨
A tiny glimpse of the childhood we’re trying so hard to give them. The freedom, the wonder, the connection. That beautiful passion for simply being alive.
And suddenly, I have a little more in the tank. More patience for the tears, more strength in my aching arms, a little more faith in the process.
Because I can see it now.
It’s coming.
Today was only a moment, but what a gift that moment was.
I am so, so thankful. I really needed it. ❤️
And if you’re a mummy, daddy, teacher, nursery practitioner, childminder, grandparent or anyone else pouring yourself into helping a little person feel safe enough to explore...
Hold on to those glimmers.
Sometimes they’re fleeting. Sometimes you wait longer than you’d hoped.
But when they come, my goodness, they’re worth holding on to.
Here’s to the little people finding their feet, and the grown-ups finding the strength to keep holding their hands. 🌿❤

Thankyou so much to for forest school today, it was glorious ❤️🙏🙌

20/09/2026

LET THEM PLAY! 🪵🤎

I LOVE setting up beautiful invitations to play. Gathering resources, creating interesting environments and thinking about all the wonderful experiences I can offer.

But here’s the thing…

You don’t always NEED to.

Sometimes, a pile of blocks and the freedom to explore is enough.

No elaborate setup. No predetermined outcome. Just children, materials and possibilities.

And look at the learning happening beneath the surface! 👇

🪵 Motor planning: Coordinating movement, judging distances and adjusting actions.

🪵 Spatial reasoning: Exploring shape, size and position. Foundations for mathematical thinking.

🪵 Executive function: Planning, organising, remembering ideas and adapting when things don’t work.

🪵 Scientific thinking: Experimenting with balance, stability and cause and effect.

🪵 Symbolic thinking: A block becomes a bridge, a house, a road or an entirely imaginary world.

The beauty of open-ended resources? The same 22 pieces can offer completely different experiences every single day.

Being intentional doesn’t mean deciding the outcome.

Sometimes our role is to provide thoughtful resources, observe, support when needed and give children the freedom to lead.

That’s exactly why we created our handmade wooden blocks. Made by my husband, John, for endless opportunities to play, explore and discover. 🤎

Less adult direction. More room for discovery.

🪵 Our 22-piece wooden block sets are available through our shop. Message me for details!

Save this little reminder: you don’t always have to create the play. Sometimes, you just have to make room for it.

19/09/2026

Settling in is never just settling in, is it? 🤍

Goodness me, what a few weeks it’s been! 🥹
There have been tears, endless cuddles, a few sleepless nights thinking about it all, and plenty of moments where I’ve wondered whether I’m doing enough or getting everything quite right.
Because every baby is SO different. Every family is different. And there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.

Especially here, where our days can take us anywhere! Different places, different weather, different sounds and experiences. It’s an enormous amount for such tiny people to take in.

Behind the scenes, there’s been a lot going on too. New cot beds, special blankets, extra seats and car seats, bottles made just right, routines tweaked and plenty of late-night chats with parents as we figure it all out together.

And some days? They’ve been really hard. For the babies, their families and me too.
But then come those little moments. ❤️
The first time a baby reaches their arms out to you.
The first proper giggle.
The moment they begin to understand that their grown-up will come back, and that I’ll be right here when they need a cuddle.
And slowly, the world starts opening up.
Tiny hands reaching for leaves, flowers, puddles and absolutely EVERYTHING. The giggles getting louder, the exploring getting braver and those beautiful little personalities beginning to shine.

These babies are somebody’s entire world. And I’m being trusted to become a little part of theirs.
To my lovely families, thank you for trusting me, for working alongside me and for sharing all the wobbles and tiny victories. I never take that trust for granted.
And to my newest little explorers, there’s no rush. We’ll get there together, one cuddle, one adventure and one tiny step at a time.

Because settling isn’t about how quickly the crying stops. It’s about building the trust that helps a little person feel safe enough to explore the world.
What a lovely, messy, exhausting, wonderful privilege.

GIVEAWAY CLOSED🤎 Follow 🤎 Like this post🤎 Tag 2 friends who would love these blocks🌿 BONUS ENTRY: Share this post to you...
23/08/2026

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

🤎 Follow
🤎 Like this post
🤎 Tag 2 friends who would love these blocks

🌿 BONUS ENTRY: Share this post to your Story and tag me so I can see it.

Want another entry? Tag 2 different people in a new comment.

🇬🇧 UK entries only.

Entries close Sunday 6 September 2026.

The winner will be announced on our social media Stories after the giveaway closes.

Please be aware of scam accounts. I will never ask the winner for payment or bank details to claim their prize.

This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram or Meta. No purchase necessary.

🌿 FREE MINDFULNESS CARDS 🌿A little something lovely for your calm corners, woodland walks, circle times and those moment...
21/08/2026

🌿 FREE MINDFULNESS CARDS 🌿

A little something lovely for your calm corners, woodland walks, circle times and those moments when little bodies just need to pause, breathe and reset. 💚

These nature-inspired mindfulness cards are designed especially for the early years, with gentle breathing, listening, grounding, movement and yoga-style activities to support emotional regulation, body awareness, concentration, confidence, connection and wellbeing.

Use one card, follow a few together, pop them on a ring and take them outdoors, or simply let the children choose the one they need that day. 🌲✨

Because mindfulness with tiny humans doesn’t need to mean sitting perfectly still. Sometimes it’s stretching like a tree, listening for birds, noticing a pebble or simply taking one lovely deep breath together. 🥹🌿

And this set is completely FREE. 💚

✨ To get yours: tap the link in my bio, head to the shop and find the FREE Mindfulness Cards. Add them to your basket, checkout for £0, and your printable pack will be ready to download.

Save it, share it with another early-years educator, and enjoy some little pockets of calm with your explorers. 🌱

Address

The Orchard
Sheffield
S61FW

Opening Hours

Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 7:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+447791266082

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Roxanne's Little Explorers Childminding posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to Roxanne's Little Explorers Childminding:

Shortcuts

Share

Category