Hannah

About Me

Hi all
My name is Hannah, I am a childminder and a mummy, I have two school age boys and look after my little mindees as well.
I’ve been a childminder now for a little over 5 years and I love what I do. I’ve had my first ofsted visit and achieved a Good grade which I’m so pleased with. I adore all my little ones and we really enjoy getting out and about every day as much as we can (in-between the school runs)
Places we visit include (but are not limited to)
Marwell Zoo
Beaulieu National Motor Museum
Hillier Garden’s
Queen Victoria Country Park
Itchen Valley Country Park
Lee On Solent
Libraries
Parks, Parks and more Parks
Toddler groups and soft plays too
If the weather won’t allow us getting out, or we need a quiet day in (because we all do from time to time) then I have a large and varied amount of toys for the children to explore, more books than we can possibly ever read, a small but nice and safe garden for the children to explore, and a nice large sofa when we need some time to chill.
As a registered childminder I follow the guidelines set out by Ofsted on keeping up to date with my training in both Safeguarding, and First Aid, and I have a DBS certificate available to view. Also I follow the EYFS and regularly use my understanding of where my little ones are to expand their experiences and development. A lot of our time is spent in the moment, for example when we went for a walk in the woods recently we found a puddle to explore, the little ones began to find small sticks to put in which led to an experiment to see what sinks and what floats. Which then led to some marvellous potion making and stirring the puddle using those fine motor skills.
I don’t stick to one type of pedagogy (a fancy word which means a way of teaching) as I feel they all have some good aspects and I wouldn’t want to limit myself to just one style. However I do feel I use a nature based pedagogy most, being outside provides a wonderful open space full of so many opportunities for play, and exploring all the areas of learning.
I am also a mummy myself to two little boys, one 5.5yo and one who is now 9yo. They’re both lovely. They’re both quite different to one another but they’ve been my greatest learning experience and achievement.
Before I had my own boys I did complete a BTEC National Diploma in Early Years which is equivalent to a level 3, therefore I am fully qualified, I do keep on updating my knowledge though. I have also completed a Home Based Childcare Award and I use webinars provided for childminders to expand my knowledge further. I feel I am a good childminder, and I think there is always room for improvement but my strengths are patience, and kindness with the little ones. I do my best to listen to them if they have any worries and try to explain to them about being kind, and how to show good pro-social behaviour as they grow and gain more understanding of the world and others around them. My main aims are to keep them all safe and happy.
My Current experience includes, my own boys, 10 other little mindees I’ve had the pleasure of looking after between the ages of 9 months and 9 years, 2 little children I nannied and then before that 5 years (and extensive personal experience) with children and young people with life limiting conditions.