Originally Posted by
Gillian Haywood
When meeting new parents I explain that I offer a home from home setting where their child will become one of the childminding family....as well as learning through play the children will over time observe and join in with every day activities such as dusting, helping put the washing on the line, setting the table for meals, clearing the table and tidying up at certain points during the day. I explain that life skills are as important as their abc's and 123's and by joining in with "family" life the child feels important, included and needed as well as confident and independent all of which has helped many of the children who move upto "big school" and have the skills for science practicals, cooking etc. This year one of my longest serving children felt confident and able to begin the transition of walking home to their own home, making a light tea, doing a chore or two for mum and starting homework before mum got home...all of which will benefit mum and dad greatly as all children grow out of childcare eventually!!!