EYFS - Course

All I ever wanted to be was a childminder and look after children, if I wanted to become a typist, a record keeper, bookeeper, a filest (not sure about that word but you know what I mean) I would have got a job as a secretary.

I went on a EYFS course on Saturday my day of mind you to find out what this was all about, it seems that I have been doing it all anyway Ofsted just now want me to right it all down on paper, when do they think we are going to look after the children, whose is going to look after A while we are observing and taking notes for B.

I can understand why some minders are giving up seem so much extra work for something we have all been doing for years.

Summer Holidays

Dont know what to do with the kids this summer,how about teaching them a few crafts there are so many out there for young or old, from plaster casting to knitting. Below is a list of childrens sites that specialize in crafts for children.

Grafix Craft Kits for Children
Enchanted learning
Crafters Community

If you have any you would like to add please put them on the message board and I will enter them in here

Cosy Shopper

The Cosy Shopper

cosy-shopper-editorial-baby-toddler-mag-april-20081

When Lisa Marie Penn realised how irritating she found the baby bucket seats insupermarket trolleys, she realised there was an opportunity to be used in creatinga new product, as well as keeping babies everywhere cleaner and happier!

The seats on most trolleys are not clean, can be full of gunk or mess, and as Lisasays, most mums would rather use a baby wipe to clean them, or take pieces ofblankets to lay in them. The seats are so often dirty which is always worrying whenyou are trying to keep baby in a sterile environment. Not only this, but they are cold, hard and uncomfortable too; not making them the ideal place for mum to put babyon an already stressful shopping trip! The Cosy Shopper may just be the perfect solution. Made of warm, double lined fleece in a variety of funky, colourful patterns, including cute animal print with ears, the cosy shopper will keep baby safe, comfortable and germ free. Quick and easy to use, they are an ideal gift for babiesfrom newborn to one year old. The designs include matching blanket sets, and thecover also fits infant carrier car seats to protect them from getting grubby and canbe removed very simply for cleaning.

Lisa Marie is a busy mum; juggling housework, raising her daughters and beforethis venture, working in a bank. The new product means Lisa Marie is now runningher own business, and just goes to show that if you aren’t happy with something, it’s worth making a change! Lisa Marie did, and now the Cosy Shopper will beavailable from a variety of stockists.

See www.thecosyshopper.co.uk or telephonethem on 0845 251 2679 for further information and to see the full range.

Editorial Provided By The Cosy Shopper www.thecosyshopper.co.uk - Telephone: 0845 251 2679

What is EYFS?

For parents and childminders

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/_doc/11324/00108-2007FLY-EN.pdf

Advertise Tips!!

Looking for ways of advertising I found this list on a mumsnet message board. There is two lists the first one is online places to advertise, just copy and paste into your address bar. The second one is ideas for advetising in your area. Thanks to loonytune who compiled this list.

Online List

www.gumtree.co.uk
www.nannyjob.co.uk  - £9.99 per annum to advertise
www.scoot.co.uk
www.ukvillages.co.uk
www.britinfo.net
www.yell.com
www.118118.com
www.childalert.co.uk
www.practicalparent.org.uk
www.familiesonline.co.uk
www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com
www.mumsnet.com
www.touchlocal.co.uk
www.netmums.com
www.askyourneighbour.co.uk
www.childrensdirectory.com
www.tinies.com
www.192.com
www.childminder-uk.co.uk
www.childcareindex.co.uk
www.thompsonlocal.com
www.childcareplaces.co.uk
www.childworks.co.uk
www.kyotee.co.uk
www.familyrapp.co.uk
www.babydirectory.co.uk
www.upmystreet.com
www.thelocalweb.net
www.babyworld.co.uk (can’t advertise but can reply to requests for care)
www.justformumz.co.uk
www.ufindus.com
www.movethat.com (London)
www.village-links.co.uk
www.childcareresources.co.uk
www.earlyyearsonline.co.uk
www.simplychildcare.com
www.ufindus.com
www.vivastreet.co.uk
www.the-business-list.com
www.childcaredirectory.co.uk
www.hallolondon.com
www.ukchildminder.co.uk
www.silkysteps.co.uk
www.letsfind.co.uk
www.nitronsearch.co.uk
London-Village.co.uk
www.nannyneeded.co.uk
www.nannynet.co.uk
www.parentscentre.gov.uk
www.thompsonlocal.com
www.mindthekids.co.uk

If an NCMA member, tell them you want to take part in their care-4 advertising. They will register you and the following week you can advertise on childcareplaces the reason you have to wait til following week is because they transfer details from NCMA every Friday) Tel: 02082902410

An emergency/adhoc care booking service - emergencychildcare.co.uk

Other advertising ideas:

Posters/postcards
Newsagents
Post Office
Local Shops
Supermarket Notice Boards
Local Village Notice Boards
Toddlers Groups
Pre-Schools
Library’s
Staff Notice Boards
Health Visitor
Dr’s Surgery
Yellow Pages
Thompson Directory

Other Tips
Always carry business cards or leaflets with you
Put leafelts on the cars in mums and baby spaces when you go to the supermarket.
Do a leaflet drop in your local area.
Do some courses and swap numbers with other childminders close by.
Go to mums and tots groups. tell EVERYONE you are a childminder!!!

Useful Links

I am trying to compile a list of useful links for Childminders if you have any to add could you please enter them on the message board or Email Me! Thanks

The one stop shop for all your craft supplies

1000 Items of Official Crested Football Merchandise

Childminders advertise free just post your details. Mind the Kids

For National and Local Childcare Information Sure Start Childcare Link

This web site if full of information that a childminder might need, policies & Procedures - EYFS pages & lots more Bromley Childminding Association
A great way to advertise your childminding service on these Personalised Sun shades

Sure Start - Child Care Link

For National and Local Childcare Information Sure Start Childcare Link

Colourful Cooking Sets For Kids

Hi been surfing today and found this great cooking site for kids

Kids Cooking Co.

They have a great range of bakeware especially for children with easy to hold bowls called Betty & Bertie and untensils, all with faces and names. They come in a beautiful blue and pink and have funny faces on them. Also to keep the children clean whilst they are baking they also have matching aprons called Aggie and Archie and just to finish of the outfit a chef’s hat.

This is a great way to spend time with your mindies or own children and if your are stuck for what to bake there is also a recipe of the week section so why not go and have a look

Kids Activities Site - Directory

Found this site whilst looking for something else. It is a comprehensive directory including educational sites, fun sites and sites for grown ups

It has some great activities for children from Educational to Playing.

Kids Sites Directory

Mind The Kids

Childminders advertise free just post your details. Mind the Kids