Welcome to Whissendine Childminding
Learning Through Real-Life Adventures
Hello, and welcome to my childminding service. My name is Hayley, and I am delighted you are considering me to care for your child. I provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children feel part of a family, develop confidence, and learn through real-life experiences.
My philosophy is simple: children thrive when they are happy, active, and given the freedom to explore. Here, every day is an opportunity for discovery, whether we are out in nature, caring for animals, or enjoying creative play at home.
Fees & Availability
- Care for children aged 0-11.
- Open: 8am – 6pm, core hours 9am – 3pm, Term time only, with ad hoc holiday days.
- Fees: £7 per hour.
- I accept Tax free childcare payments, childcare vouchers, and government funding.
- Please contact me to discuss current vacancies.
School Holidays? Check out Whissendine Holiday Club
About Whissendine Childminding
About Me
I live with my husband Ian, and son, Harrison. I also run Whissendine Holiday Club for children aged 4–11, a multi activity club where children can try new activities, build friendships and independence during their school holidays. Previously, I worked as a Water Babies swimming teacher for 8 years, teaching babies and pre-schoolers water skills, safety, developing confidence, and a love for the water. I am fully DBS checked and registered with OFSTED.
Away from work, I am passionate about horse riding, which has been a huge part of my life. I also enjoy sewing and crafts, hobbies I love to share with the children in my care. My home is shared with two horses, Lucky and Chester, a cat, Fidget, a Labrador, Oscar, and five chickens – all part of the family and an important part of children’s daily learning here.
Children in my setting will collect eggs from the chickens, stroke the horses, and help walk the dog. These moments are more than just chores – they are real opportunities for learning, building empathy, and understanding the world around them.
My Approach
I believe children learn best through real-world experiences. For me, the outdoors is an extension of the classroom, so we go out every day, whatever the weather. We explore the woods, visit the park, enjoy soft play, and even stop for a drink and cake in a café – because learning how to behave in different environments is just as important as learning letters and numbers.
My home is a real home – warm, welcoming, and lived in. The ornaments are on the shelves, the garden is open for play, and children are encouraged to explore their surroundings. While I always put safety first, I can’t promise there won’t be the odd bump or bruise along the way. Life isn’t risk-free, and these experiences help children learn resilience, independence, and how to manage challenges.
My Setting
- A homely, family-based environment where children feel safe and valued, where they are heard and seen.
- Located in the beautiful village of Whissendine, with a local park, nature walks, working windmill, and sports facility.
- Indoor play including arts & crafts, role play, reading corners, puzzles, singing, dancing and games.
- Outdoor play in the garden with climbing frame, slide, sandpit, open access to nature and space to explore.
- Daily outings to local woods, parks, playgroups, and community spaces.
- Opportunities for animal care and responsibility, helping children build empathy and confidence.
My Approach to Learning
I follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS 2025) framework, which supports children from birth to age 5 in seven key areas of learning:
- Communication & Language (C&L)
- Physical Development (PD)
- Personal, Social & Emotional Development (PSED)
- Literacy (L)
- Mathematics (M)
- Understanding the World (UTW)
- Expressive Arts & Design (EAD)
I also focus on the Characteristics of Effective Learning:
- Playing and exploring
- Active learning
- Creating and thinking critically
This means I observe how children learn, not just what they learn, so I can support them as individuals.
A Typical Day
Here is an example of what our days might look like:
- 8:00–9:00 –Breakfast and free play
- Morning – Outings (woods, park, library, playgroup, café)
- 12:00 – Lunch out or at home (pack lunch from home)
- Afternoon – Nap/quiet time, followed by creative indoor or outdoor activities (crafts, baking, role play)
- 3:30 – Snack, school pick-ups, and after-school play
- 5:00 – Dinner
- 6:00 – Home time
No two days are ever the same – but all are filled with opportunities to play, learn, and grow.
Outdoor & Indoor Activities
Each activity is carefully linked to the EYFS areas of learning and adapted to children’s ages and stages.
CREATIVE PLAY:
Painting, sewing, craft projects, building, role play.
Outdoor Adventures:
Den building, nature hunts, gardening, caring for animals.
Trips & Outings:
Local woods, parks, soft play, playgroups, farms and cafés.
Learning Through Play:
Baking, counting games, stories, puzzles, phonics songs.
Celebrations & Seasons:
Christmas crafts, Easter egg hunts, Diwali lamps, World Book Day fun and more.
Working in Partnership
Parents are the most important people in a child’s life, and I believe strong partnerships help children feel secure and thrive. I will:
- Share daily updates on meals, activities, and achievements.
- Provide regular EYFS observations and development updates.
- Support routines from home to ensure consistency.
- Listen to your views and work together to plan next steps.
Health, Safety & Wellbeing
- Safeguarding is my top priority, following Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) guidance.
- I am paediatric first aid trained, fully insured, and my home is risk-assessed.
- I promote a balanced approach to risk: keeping children safe while encouraging independence.
- I provide healthy snacks and homecooked meals, accommodate special dietary needs, and encourage good hygiene routines.
- Rest and quiet times are part of our day, ensuring children’s emotional and physical needs are met.
Policies & Procedures
I have clear policies covering:
- Safeguarding and child protection
- Health and safety
- Behaviour management
- Equal opportunities and inclusion
- Illness and medication
- Confidentiality and data protection
- Complaints procedure
Full policy documents are available on request.
Contact and Find Us
I look forward to welcoming your child into my setting – where they will be supported to explore, learn, and grow in a safe, happy, and homely environment.