Happy Days Childminding
Outings
At Happy Days we really love outdoor play and spend time outside every day! Spending time outside in all weathers is so good for children there really are so many benefits (See below).
We love spending time in our garden, going for local walks and visiting the local parks numerous times during the week.
Outings are one of the many benefits of choosing a childminding setting over another childcare setting, we are able to take children on outings freely. This means we can visit places based on the topics we are learning about, related to the time of year, linked to current festivals and based on children's current interests. Children learn things on outings that can't be learnt in the restrictions of a childcare setting.
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See below some of the many lovely outings we have been on and continue to regularly visit......
The Park
This lovley park is just a very short walk from the setting, its often quiet and surrounded by a fence making it safe and secure for children to play in. We try to visit this park as much as possible and in the summer sometimes spend most of the day here with picnics and toys.
Children learn so much whilst at the park and as they grow and develop in confidence get braver and try out different things.
We also have three other parks that we like to visit but are a but further away, but still in walking distance.
The Library
Things have changed due to covid-19 and we sadly havent been to the library in such a long time but we really miss it.
We love to visit the library, we have built up a lovely relationship with the staff there and are always welcomed in by them.
The children learn so much regularly visiting the library, they play with other children, they learn how to behave in other settings and how to handle books. Visiting the library also teaches children to love which I feel is so important for both now and in later life.
Local Playgroups
Things have changed due to covid-19 and we sadly haven't been to any playgroups in such a long time but we really miss it.
Attending playgroups allow children attending childminding settings to play with and alongside a large group of children. They learn to share with unfamiliar children, take turns all while having fun and developing confidence skills. At playgroup they unknowingly learn so much and have the opportunity to explore new environments well supported by their childminder.
Our Local Village
Visiting our local village is of huge importance to us as it helps the children to feel like a valued part of the community and develop a sense of belonging.
We feel it is important for children to develop a sense of community from an early age, to learn where they fit in and start to understand the value of having local services.
Just a little walk through our local village can teach the children in our care so much. We look at the seasonal change in the fruit and veg that is available, the change in shop window displays at different times throughout the year and even the weather and how it affects the village.
It is so nice that people from our local area now recognise us and wave to the children or stop to chat to us.
Whilst out in our local area some of the children recognises places they have been with their families and share their past experiences with us.
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Outings at Home
At Happy Days we love to hear where children have been with their families, when photo of children are displayed at the setting it allows them to feel a sense of belonging and gives them the opportunity to form stronger relationships through talking to their friends about where they have been.
When we are aware of the outings children have been on and the places that intrest them we can plan around this within the setting.
For example if a child has a lovely day out at the safari park, we could base lots of planning around this such as visiting a local farm, looking at books with animals, get the animals out to play with and make animal masks. This provides strong links before home and setting and sports the child's transitions to and from setting to be smoother.
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So please send us photos and tell us about your family outings, we really do love to hear about them.