It's all about stories!: Childminding Stories | Supporting local Childminders in 2023

2023 saw the launch of our Childminder Support Group at First Steps Norwich CIC.

We had wanted to do something specific for childminders for a long time. As a qualified teacher (I used to teach science a long time ago), now qualified in Early Years, I have had various roles in early childhood, including as chair of my local preschool for 15 years, and as a childminder's assistant to for 11 years, so understand the issues facing childminders. I am a Communication Champion, a Wellbeing Champion, and am passionate about reflective practice, and continuing to learn and grow in our practice with children and families. I attend various forums of the local authority, enabling me to be a voice for childminders there, and keep up to date with local and national issues. The idea behind this group was to share knowledge and key messages from training. But we also wanted to provide a space where childminder colleagues could meet up during the working day to chat and support each other, while able to bring the children along. Our first childminder support groups were a great success. We managed to do messy painting with the children, songtime, storytime, a bit of training for the grown-ups, and fit in cups of coffee and healthy snacks too. We've since reflected on the offer and now the group runs over lunchtime so we sit down and shared packed lunches together too. Our brilliant volunteers from First Steps support the group in the background, helping to make it all happen, and making the tea! We are also being supported by East of England Early Years Stronmger Practice Hub (https://www.highfield.suffolk.sch.uk/page/?title=Stronger+Practice+Hub&pid=11 ) - we were super excited as they kindly funded a picture book for every child who attended the group with their childminder - taking a gorgeous Oliver Jeffers picture book into all those different homes to share with their families.

Childminders come along with or without the children, for 2 hours which includes

* drinks for the children

* refreshments for adults

* art activity for children

* grouptime songs and stories

* opportunity to chat and network with colleagues

* local and national updates

* quizes based on a relevant topics

* sharing packed lunches together

* EYFS best practice support

* speech and language questions answered

* 2 year checks questions answered

* child development knowledge

* takeaway resources to refresh & continue the learning at home

* family signposting and much more...

It's actually a very simple model, we want to enable childminders to come together during the working day, with or without children, in an informal setting to meet, chat, play and take away some updates and shared knowledge.

I like taking photos of the invitations to play at our groups, so here you go...