Tarnitots Childminding

17/08/2026

Keeping cool during our 5th heatwave.

It’s officially another scorcher, so we’ve been finding lots of fun ways to keep cool while still learning through play 💦

Last week we made our very own frozen animal blocks and the children absolutely LOVED it.

They spent hours investigating how they could free the animals, using different tools and experimenting with different ways to melt and break through the ice.
And of course, there was lots of communication and language happening along the way.
We made animal noises, named the animals, copied words and talked about what was happening as the ice slowly melted.

What looked like a simple bit of icy fun was actually packed full of learning problem solving, curiosity, fine motor skills, communication, vocabulary, turn taking and lots of independent thinking.

Most importantly they were having SO much fun.
Who knew keeping cool could create hours of learning and entertainment.

17/08/2026

🌞🌑 Exploring the Solar Eclipse Through Creativity.

Last week we were getting creative while learning all about the solar eclipse 🌞🌑

The children had so much fun mixing sand with paint to create their own textured artwork. They loved feeling the different textures, experimenting with mark making and seeing what happened when they mixed the materials together.

But it wasn’t just about creating something beautiful there was so much learning happening along the way

🗣️ Communication & Language copying and repeating new words as we painted and talked about the sun, moon and eclipse.
🎶 Literacy singing songs with the sun in them, learning new words and developing listening and speaking skills.
🔢 Maths talking about shapes, sizes, counting and comparing as we created our eclipse pictures.
🌱 Understanding the World exploring the idea of the sun, moon and what happens during an eclipse.
🎨 Expressive Arts & Design experimenting with colour, texture and different ways of making marks.

The best kind of learning is when the children don’t even realise they’re learning.
Lots of messy hands, happy faces, singing, talking and creative little minds at work

07/08/2026

🌿 Just another beautiful day in the life of a childminder.🌿

Some of the best learning doesn't happen sitting at a table. It happens with muddy shoes, giggles, and curious little minds exploring the world around them. 💚

Today we headed to the park where imaginations ran wild, little legs climbed, balanced, swung and raced, building confidence and developing those all important gross motor skills.

We wandered on a little nature walk, stopping to admire the buttercups and daisies growing in the grass, chatting about the colours we could see, the insects we spotted, and the changing seasons. The children loved collecting treasures from nature and sharing their discoveries with one another.

Watching friendships blossom is one of my favourite parts of childminding. Whether they're taking turns, helping each other, creating games together or simply holding hands as we explore, these everyday moments help build kindness, confidence and social skills that will stay with them for years to come. ❤️

Days like today naturally weave through all 7 areas of the EYFS. From communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development, to understanding the world, expressive arts and design, mathematics and literacy through counting, conversations, storytelling and exploring the environment around us.

Learning through play really is magical and today was full of smiles, laughter, fresh air and memories made.
These ordinary park days are often the ones that create the biggest learning opportunities

06/08/2026

Today we enjoyed a lovely trip to our local lakes and I think the ducks and geese knew we were coming! 🦆😂

Within seconds we were completely outnumbered, with lots of excited feathered friends waddling over for their lunch.

The children loved feeding them, watching them splash about, listening to all the different sounds they made, and chatting about what they could see.

Days like this are about so much more than feeding the ducks.

They support
🦆 Building confidence and communication through conversations and asking questions. 🦆 Developing physical skills by walking, balancing and exploring different terrains.
🦆 Learning about the world by observing wildlife, habitats and nature.
🦆 Inspiring imagination and creativity through play and storytelling.
🦆 Supporting personal, social and emotional development by showing kindness, taking turns and respecting living creatures.
🦆 Encouraging early literacy with new vocabulary, discussions and sharing stories about animals.
🦆 Exploring early maths by counting ducks, comparing sizes and noticing patterns.

The best classroom doesn't always have four walls. Sometimes it's a peaceful lakeside, surrounded by nature, fresh air and a few very enthusiastic geese.

06/08/2026

🌻 A beautiful day making memories in the sunflower fields🌻

Today we swapped our usual adventures for a sea of sunshine, and what a magical day it was.

The children had the freedom to run through the towering sunflowers, laughing, exploring and simply enjoying being outdoors.

We watched busy little bees pollinating the flowers, chatting about how important they are for nature, before everyone chose a beautiful sunflower to take home. 🌻🐝

There was plenty more fun too, climbing on the hay bales, digging in the giant sandpit, and enjoying lots of imaginative play together.

It's amazing how the simplest days, filled with fresh air, nature and freedom, often create the biggest smiles.

These are the moments childhood is all about, muddy shoes, rosy cheeks, curious minds and memories that will last a lifetime. 💛
Harestreet Holiday Barns

29/07/2026

28/07/2026

You're a childminder and open the freezer for your dinner... only to get the fright of your life because a bag of frozen farm animals is staring back at you! 🤣

Then you remember they're for tomorrow's water play! 💦

The things we do to keep little minds learning! 😂

17/07/2026

June. Father's Day

June's topic was all about Father's Day, and the children had so much fun creating little gifts for their special person.

I absolutely love watching how proud they are when they've made something all by themselves.

As dinosaurs are a big favourite at the moment, I followed their interests and we used some cute baby dinosaur pictures for our mark making.

There was lots of colouring, chatting about dinosaurs, and practising our pencil control without them even realising they were learning.

The playroom was full of laughter, stomping feet and the loudest "ROARRRR" you can imagine as everyone showed me their best dinosaur impressions. It was impossible not to smile.

I love planning activities around the children's interests because that's when the magic really happens. They are engaged, excited, using their imaginations and learning through play and that's exactly what childhood should be all about. ❤️

16/07/2026

Saying goodbye is never the easiest part of childminding.

One of the greatest privileges of this job is being a small part of a child's journey

Watching them grow in confidence, learn new skills, make friendships, and blossom into the amazing little people they become.

Today we say goodbye to another of our little ones as he's ready for his next big adventure.

Good luck at nursery, little T
You've grown so much, and I know you're going to absolutely smash this next chapter.

Keep being your kind, curious, funny self and go shine like the star that you are.

Thank you for letting me be part of your journey. It's been an honour to watch you learn, laugh, and grow.

We will all miss you very much, but we can't wait to hear about all the wonderful adventures that lie ahead.

Good luck, little T. You've got this! 💙✨

15/06/2026

Just having a short break to be on duty for my own child who has needed surgery this week. I will still be available to answer any messages it may just take me.longer to reply. Thankyou to all my families who have checked in on us and for your understanding. Im very grateful.