Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Exploring Understanding the world By Michelle Bennett. (Childminder) My Name is Michelle Bennett and I am an OFSTED Registered, outstanding childminder which I have undertaken for eleven years. I am based in the Morecambe area of Lancashire and one of the Lancashire leads for childminders in my area. I am the childminding representative for the Morecambe Bay curriculum and have worked previously in numerous Nurseries and as a teaching assistant in a local primary school. I am very passionate about the work we all do, as we are, in my opinion, very lucky to support education. We develop the young people that come to us, with their learning and understanding of the world that we live in. I believe that our actions will enable and encourage their knowledge for learning of the prime areas and specific area of learning: Communication and language, Physical development, Personal, social and emotional development Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the world and Expressive arts and design I am passionate about the freedom of childminding, and creating awe and wonder every day. For me play is so important in so many ways as this supports children to learn and develop and as a childminder I can plan for the children’s interests as individuals. In this blog I will share with you how the children gained knowledge of the circus theme and scarecrows and increased their vocabulary from a visit to a local village. What did our children find on the visit to a local themed experience? Our visit was to the annual Wray scarecrow display. This is the oldest running scarecrow display in the UK, since 1992 and is run by a committee of local people from the village of Wray, Lancashire. The display of scarecrows has a different theme each year, and most of the local community of Wray will make a scarecrow for this event. The children that come to me, on the week leading up to the visit did talk about the theme and what they knew about scarecrows and the theme. This year the theme was circus. We had numerous conversations between myself and the children, as well as conversations between child to child, and the topic of the conversations they were having was about what type of activities / acts that you would see in a circus? The vocabulary included: strong man, jugglers, tightrope walkers, acrobats, clowns. Where do the circus people live? What nationality or country do the circus people come from? What is a circus tent made from? How are the scarecrows at Wray made? Who makes them? Why do they make them? Who chooses the theme and what scarecrow they would make if they lived in Wray? The day of the visit to Wray…. We were armed with cameras for the children to take photos of what they wanted to. As we were going around Wray there was lots of conversations of what the children could see, what they like and why they liked the scarecrows and displays. We spoke about favourite colours, the different sizes of scarecrows, the role of the scarecrow made and what their role is in a circus theme. The children spoke with local people and asked why they had made their scarecrow and what was the reason for the ones they made. Two of the children that were present had come the last three years with me, and they could remember the last year’s theme (which was magic) and spoke about that, with the current children. They spoke about the previous children that had come on the previous visits and what they liked and where they were now. While we were having our lunch, the children had conversations between themselves, about which scarecrows were their favourite and why they were. When we return back home, this continued the theme and children decided to demonstrate Circus skills, drawings, role play games and ask numerous questions. The following week after the visit…. The week after we had visited Wray, the children were keen to make some scarecrows, so we made smaller ones and a big one, using sticks and decorated them using the fantastic box of crafts I won after attending the recent Stronger Practice Hub conference, which all the children loved using these crafts. The scarecrows where then placed around the garden and the children made their own pretend village scarecrow display. The children began role playing at being the local people of their pretend village. We also dressed up as scarecrows with a circus theme with items we purchased from local charity shops. When we purchased these items of clothing from the charity shops, we talked about what charity shops do, the reason behind the purpose of the shop. Why local people donate and buy from them, and about sustainability and my children have really been understanding all about recycling. What does the evidence say for Understanding the world? Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community. The frequency and range of children’s personal experiences increases their knowledge and sense of the world around them – from visiting parks, libraries and museums to meeting important members of society such as police officers, nurses and firefighters. In addition, listening to a broad selection of stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems will foster their understanding of our culturally, socially, technologically and ecologically diverse world. As well as building important knowledge, this extends their familiarity with words that support understanding across domains. Enriching and widening children’s vocabulary will support later reading comprehension. Taken from: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/670f8c0f366f494ab2e7b93d/EYFS_statutory__framework_for_childminders.pdf The https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/early-years/evidence-store references Communication and Language which became part of our focus within the visit as the children spoke to each other, with myself and grew in their understanding of new vocabulary connected with the circus. This resulted in the children knowing more and remembering more through their visit from last year and this year. Exploring the DfE module 4 on supporting language development in the early years enabled me to appreciate even more the importance of a language rich approach where interactions are promoted. I consider the circus theme visit supported both the children in their learning and development which in turn supported my continuous professional development (CPD) in researching the theme and the learning opportunities for the children in communication and language, physical development and Understanding the world. The children and I are looking forward to our next visit out to extend learning further within Understanding the world and the other Early Years Foundation Stage areas of learning. References: https://www.evertonnurseryschoolandfamilycentre.org/strongerpracticehub https://www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/nw/liverpool-city-region-and-beyond-eysph https://wrayscarecrows.wordpress.com/ https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/early-years/evidence-store https://birthto5matters.org.uk/ https://www.ncfe.org.uk/media/xbcbjrfj/early-years-sustainability-resource.pdf https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/670f8c0f366f494ab2e7b93d/EYFS_statutory__framework_for_childminders.pdf https://child-development-training.education.gov.uk/about/module-4 https://child-development-training.education.gov.uk/about/module-5 Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Sharing gifted resource bags Kendal Childminding Network Sharing how resource bags gifted by Liverpool City Region Stronger Practice Hub have made an impact to a childminder network. How did you use the resource bag? Thank you so much for the resource box that Tracie (Strategic Childminder Support Lead) brought to our Network Drop in at Beck Community Centre in Kendal. We used the ‘Owl Babie’s’ story sack within the drop in while Tracie was with us. The children absolutely loved the story and used the fabulous puppets. We extended the activity by playing ‘sleeping owls’ then flying around and swooping down to picking up toys to put them away for tidy up time. Please share further information on how the resource bag supported your setting and how the resource bag may inspire or support other childminders? Every week each childminder will take home a different resource bag to share with their minded children and then swap the following week. They will also take it in turns to use a bag within the drop in, for the activity and swap ideas to extend activities within the bags. What impact did this resource bag have on the learning of the children in your setting? The children and childminders absolutely enjoyed using the story sack. Everyone joined in, got excited, had fun and laughed all the way through the story. They learnt all about why babies get upset when their mummy leaves them. It promoted discussion about emotions including how they felt that morning being dropped off at their childminders. The children talked about cuddling their childminders for reassurance and how they felt safe. Some of the children cuddled each other, others cuddled the owls. The children pretended to be sleeping baby owls, when woken they flew around swooping and diving down, before going back to sleep to do the actions again. After the session the children all helped to put the contents back into the bag ready for next time. Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Αναφορές Ofsted Το νηπιαγωγείο του Everton και το Family Center επιθεωρήθηκαν από το HMI σύμφωνα με την Ενότητα 8 του πλαισίου σύντομης επιθεώρησης στις 16 Οκτωβρίου 2018. Κάντε κλικ παρακάτω για ένα αντίγραφο της επιστολής που στάλθηκε στον Διευθυντή Dr. Lesley Το OBE. Το νηπιαγωγείο της Έβερτον και το Οικογενειακό Κέντρο διατήρησαν την εξαιρετική κρίση, την πέμπτη εξαιρετική κρίση ως νηπιαγωγείο από το 2004. Click Εδώ για να διαβάσετε την επιστολή. Αναφορά νηπιαγωγείου και οικογενειακού κέντρου του Everton Ofsted Το νηπιαγωγείο και το οικογενειακό κέντρο του Everton επιθεωρήθηκαν από την Ofsted τον Μάιο του 2014, κατά την οποία απονεμήθηκε μια απόφαση Outstanding. Click εδώ για να διαβάσετε την έκθεση. Πριν από τον Μάιο του 2014, το νηπιαγωγείο και το οικογενειακό κέντρο της Έβερτον είχαν επίσης επιθεωρηθεί τον Μάιο του 2011, τον Μάιο του 2008 και τον Μάιο του 2004. Για λήψη και ανάγνωση καθεμίας από αυτές τις αναφορές επιθεώρησης, παρακαλώ Κάντε κλικ ΕΔΩ . Αναφορά νηπιαγωγείου Everton και Family Center Daycare Ofsted Το τμήμα Παιδικού Σταθμού Έβερτον Νηπιαγωγείου και Οικογενειακού Κέντρου επιθεωρήθηκε τον Σεπτέμβριο του 2014 κατά το οποίο απονεμήθηκε Εκκρεμής απόφαση. Για λήψη και ανάγνωση αυτής της αναφοράς επιθεώρησης, παρακαλώ Κάντε κλικ ΕΔΩ . Έκθεση του Κέντρου Παιδιών της Έβερτον του Όφστεντ Το Κέντρο Παιδιών της Έβερτον επιθεωρήθηκε τον Ιανουάριο του 2011 κατά το οποίο απονεμήθηκε μια εξαιρετική απόφαση. Για λήψη και ανάγνωση αυτής της αναφοράς επιθεώρησης, παρακαλώ Κάντε κλικ ΕΔΩ .

Πολιτικές Σχολείου/Κέντρου Στο νηπιαγωγείο και το οικογενειακό κέντρο της Έβερτον, έχουμε μια σειρά λεπτομερών και περιεκτικών πολιτικών που στηρίζουν την πρακτική και την παροχή υψηλής ποιότητας. Για να κατεβάσετε και να διαβάσετε ορισμένες από τις πολιτικές μας, κάντε κλικ στους παρακάτω συνδέσμους. Έντυπα αντίγραφα όλων των πολιτικών σχολείου/κέντρου διατίθενται κατόπιν αιτήματος από την Ομάδα Διαχειριστή μας. Admission Policy Behaviour Policy Charging and Remissions Policy Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy Code of Conduct Complaints Policy Curriculum Learning and Teaching Policy Equal Opportunities Racial Diversity Policy Equality Statement First Aid Policy ICT Policy Privacy Notice SEND Policy Debt Recovery Policy Adverse Weather/Snow and Ice Policy Attendance Policy SEN Summary Uniform Policy Workplace Safer Recruitment Policy Parent Guide to School Complaints

Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Let’s talk about books By Alex Gower-Jones Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

The benefits of outdoor play Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Deysbrook Childminding Network By Tracie Dowling My name is Tracie Dowling and I have been a childminder for over 32 years and I live in Anfield Liverpool. I am also part of the strategic team at Liverpool City Region and Beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub (EYSPH) and support childminders within the Region. My role is to be a point of call to support the childminders, signpost them to early years funded support programmes and link in with the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) to promote the Early Years Evidence store and Early Years Tool kit. https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/ The Stronger Practice Hub has funded a Childminder Network drop In at the Deysbrook Village Centre. https://www.deysbrook-vc.co.uk/ This provides the local childminders with a venue to meet up weekly with their minded children, link to myself and each other to share good practice and access face to face support. The childminders and children enjoy attending the drop-in sessions as this supports good practice by giving the children experiences to gain valuable social skills like sharing, taking turns, communication, and cooperation by interacting with others children. Having access to larger group activities such as music and movement and craft time also provides opportunities to develop language skills, motor skills, and overall confidence through play-based learning and exposure to larger group activities and toys and helping with preparing for school transition. The Drop in provides a venue for childminder and child-based training opportunities and a space for childminders to connect and build a community with each other. Over the last few months, the childminders and children have enjoyed the Sustainability Goal bitesize sessions that I have facilitated. https://sdgs.un.org/goals We have focused on one goal each week, for example week 1, we focused on Goal 1 ‘No Poverty’. We all sat together on the carpet and read the story ‘The Three Little Pigs’ we discussed the different types of housing and what it’s like to be homeless. We thought about what the safest house would be and which would have strong foundations that can withstand challenges due to global warming. I provided the children with an activity using wooden ‘Three Little Pig’ story props to decorate using crayons and recyclable materials. At the end of the session, I gave each childminder an information pack explaining why I chose the activity, how I incorporate the goals within my setting, extra reading materials / information around the Sustainability Goals. The following week before we started the next focused activity, we discussed the previous goal and how and what the children did at their childminders setting to include ‘poverty’. One child told me she made a Den, but she got upset because one of the children pulled off the blanket. I suggested next time they use pegs to see if the den stayed up longer. She told me her childminder made another den out of a big sturdy box and this was fun. Another child had used their props to tell the story again. This feedback from the children was invaluable and makes the time I spend putting the activities together all worthwhile. Anne Wrigley a childminder of the Deysbrook Drop in provided me with some amazing feedback. She said by attending the drop in and accessing support gave her confidence when she had her latest OFSTED inspection. By taking part in the bite sized Sustainability Goals awareness made her realise she was already promoting sustainability but hadn’t realised this. Since attending the sessions, she now takes the children to the local charity shop to donate and purchase items and every few weeks she buys wool to knit squares with the children to make blankets for the homeless. Anne and the children go on a trip to St Luke’s church to donate food for families who are less fortunate. During Annes previous OFSTED inspection, the inspector commented on the lack of extra training. In this inspection the inspector said it was evident Anne had been very proactive extending her continuous professional development. Anne explained to the inspector about the SPH webinar recordings and how she liked them as she can dip in and out, at a time that suits her due to the flexibility and thought they were a perfect way to extend her knowledge. Further reading: https://www.strongerpracticehubs.org.uk/hubs/nw/liverpool-city-region-and-beyond-eysph/resources/autumn-time-apples-and-apple-juice-dr https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/early-years/evidence-store https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/early-years/toolkit/play-based-learning https://www.evertonnurseryschoolandfamilycentre.org/childminders https://www.evertonnurseryschoolandfamilycentre.org/early-years-sustainable-hub Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Our aim as an Early Years Stronger Practice Hub will be to share communication and language and literacy programmes initially. Please keep checking back as we aim to provide recorded and live webinars and face to face drop in's and twilights regarding the programmes we will offer. In the meantime look at the programmes on offer through the Department for Education (DfE): https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/ New Maths Champions 2025 Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment The hub offers free advice, support and training to childminders across Liverpool City Region. We are aiming to set up Peer to Peer Childminder Support and Play Sessions for Children. Please join our mailing list to be kept informed of future events and launches, newsletters and availability for training dates and drop-in sessions. If you would like to be involved or have suggestions, please let us know. Online Childminder Network which is the last Saturday morning 10a.m. – 11.30a.m. of every month: CHILDMINDER DROP IN Deysbrook Network: Everton Nursery School and Family Centre, Spencer Street, Liverpool, L6 2WF Held every Wednesday 9.30- 11.30am Hunts Cross Network: St Hilda’s Church Hall, Stuart Avenue, Hunts Cross L25 0NG Held every Wednesday 9.30-11.30am Kendal Network: Beck Community Centre, 20 Esthwaite Avenue, Kendal LA9 7NZ Held every Thursday 9.30 – 11.30am Bromborough Childminder Network: Bromborough Family Hub, Gratrix Road, Wirral CH62 7BW Held Thursdays 9.30 – 11.30 am What is a Childminder Drop In? The childminder drop-in sessions provide local childminders with an opportunity to access up to date information, recourses, face to face support, support from a member of the hub team and for childminders to share best practices. The group offers the children a multitude of benefits including enhanced social, emotional, and cognitive development, improved communication skills and opportunities to access larger play equipment to promote physical development. The facilities provide a safe space where childminders can organise events, celebrations and provide larger scale structured activities for the children which in turn supports transitions to school. Liverpool City Region and beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Childminder Network Meetings Held every last Saturday of each month for Teams Link see the monthly newsletter. The aim of the Monthly meetings is to keep childminders up to date with local / national changes, information sharing, identify training needs and give general help and advice. Should you want to have anything specific added to the agenda please email the Stronger Practice Hub on sphubnw@evertoncentre.liverpool.sch.uk WELLCOMM BAGS If you are a Liverpool Childminder and wish to borrow a Wellcomm bag to use with your children, email the sph email as we can support you and loan a Wellcomm bag to you for a period of time. CHILDMINDER RESOURCE BAGS Calling all SPH Network Members….. FREE Resource bags coming soon, funded by the SPH this is a fantastic opportunity for Childminders. Each bag of carefully selected items will be a welcome addition to your setting which in turn supports your children’s development. Each resource bag is designed to be used individually, with a group of childminder colleagues and shared as a lending library. In the next few weeks you can apply for resources that cover Communication and Language, Early Maths and Story Comprehension including a selection of various quality Story Sacks. Also included will be Outdoor and Nature, Habitats and Musicical Instruments bags. Look out for the launch coming the end of April/early May depending on your location within Liverpool City Region and Beyond Early Years Stronger Practice Hub…. Literacy Blog, written for Childminders by June Cargill Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Liverpool City Region Stronger Practice Hub Sign Up Early Years Stronger Practice Hubs will support other early years settings in the designated areas to improve outcomes for children in their local area across the EYFS, but specifically focusing on areas of development that research informs us have been most impacted by COVID-19: personal social and emotional development (PSED); communication and language, and early literacy and mathematics. Each Hub is led by a group-based (school-based, private, voluntary, or independent) early years provider. (Please check your inbox Junk folder for blocked correspondence). * Indicates required question Email Name Local Authority your setting is based in: School / Setting name Setting Postcode Setting URN number: What best describes your role in the Setting Choose an option What best describes your Setting Choose an option Which area would your setting like support with? * Απαιτείται Communication and Language Literacy Mathematics Other Which Social Media channels would you like to see our information on? * Απαιτείται Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Whatsapp Other Would you like to subscribe to our monthly newsletter? * Απαιτείται Yes No I understand that by signing up on this form, my contact details will be kept by Liverpool City Region and Beyond Stronger Practice Hub at Everton Nursery School and Children's Centre. Your details will be kept for the purpose of sending emails and newsletters. I agree Submit Thanks for subscribing! Please check your inbox Junk folder for blocked correspondence Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Blogs Childminders Programmes Documents Subscribe Early Years Professional Development Programme Newsletters Recruitment Early Years Professional Development Programme (EYDP) https://www.earlyyearspdp.com/ I cannot recommend the Early Years Professional Development Programme enough to any early years practitioner whether they are new to the sector or have many years of experience. Being able to adapt ideas from the training and talking to colleagues on the webinar has been invaluable. Understanding children’s depth of knowledge in Early Maths has allowed me to enhance activities allowing me to see the immediate, positive impact on their learning. Ten simple hints and tips could make any setting become “language rich” and the ability to spot and fix communication “cold spots” personally I am so glad I signed up. June Cargill Ofsted Registered Outstanding Childminder Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment Maths Champions As part of NDNA's recruitment of settings for the Maths Champions programme, we are holding a number of information sessions. Led by our team of expert Early Years Advisors, these sessions will provide a comprehensive explanation of the programme, the eligibility criteria for settings to take part, and the commitment involved. There is also an opportunity for settings to ask direct questions to the Early Years Advisors, followed by clear instructions of next steps and how to sign up. Maths Champions Information Sessions - NDNA Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice

Liverpool City Region Early Years Stronger Practice Hub Hub Home Events Newsletters Blogs Programmes Documents Subscribe Childminders Recruitment CONCEPT CAT By Alex Gower-Jones. Dr Diane Boyd talks to Tracie Dowling about the role of the Strategic Childminder Lead at Liverpool City Region and Beyond Stronger Practice Hub Strategic Role Are you looking to spend your Early Years Pupil Premium strategically? See our Resource 'Maximising the Impact of Pupil Premium in the Early Years' Reddish Vale Nursery School Blog Becoming physical development champions and beyond…. Let’s talk about books: A case study on interactive reading By Alex Gower-Jones. The benefits of outdoor play How childminders use outdoor spaces to enhance children’s learning outcomes. By Tracie Dowling. Exploring Understanding the world By Michelle Bennett. A Reflective Conversation By Emma Louise Scott, Maria Edge and Dr Diane Boyd The Garden Classroom ENGAGING GROWTH WITH ‘THE GARDEN CLASSROOM’ By Tracie Dowling Lost Words ‘Lost words’ reflected through the three pillars of sustainability and the SDGs. By Diane Boyd NELI Preschool programme Craig Bolton, Headteacher at East Prescot Road Nursery School, Liverpool, introduces the NELI Preschool programme. East Prescot Road Nursery School is a partner of the Stronger Practice Hub. Supporting self-regulation in the early years By Amanda Quirk Childminder Case Study By Julie Ellis Deysbrook Childminding Network By Tracie Dowling Autumn the time of apples and apple Juice! By Dr Diane Boyd Sharing gifted resource bags Childminding Network Video blogs 1. Everton Nursery Teacher Kate Doyle and Dr Diane Boyd present The Authentic development of a Sensory Garden through the 17 SDGs 2. Dr Diane Boyd talks to Everton Nursery School teacher Kate Doyle about Homelessness young peoples awareness and understanding of others Strategic Partners Stronger Practice Hub Privacy Notice