Spring Term 2019

The days are getting brighter and lighter, albeit colder but we don't mind. This term we are starting to introduce some new small world play into the setting. Animal themed activities are going down well, especially the animal charades! This was a card game I bought for my children about eight years ago to take away on holiday, which the minded children now enjoy playing.

I've got a few sensory tubs planned over the coming weeks - check out my Instagram page to find out more about what's in these. 

Playdough will be refreshed with some new scents and colours to celebrate Valentine's Day, Spring and Easter.

We'll be getting out paint brushes out as we create some masterpieces and explore different textures by mixing rice, oats, foam etc. into the paints.

We're looking after the local birds and other wildlife in the garden by putting out food and taking part in the RSPB Big Bird Count - we're lucky to have regular visits from a greater spotted woodpecker. 

Music and movement is still a firm favourite and will always bring a smile to the children's faces. 

We're all having a great time!

Slime Time!

Slime is still going strong in my setting. Both my own children and those I childminder really enjoy making and playing with slime.

We recently started to add shaving foam into the mixture to make fluffy slime and switched from food colouring to paint in order to colour it.

This fluffy slime is the best slime I have made. It's great for the kids to play with and develop their motor skills but it is also very therapeutic for adults. I enjoy it as much as the children!

So without further ado, here is the recipe I use:

You will need a bowl, a small jar/pot/cup, spoons, pva glue, paint, shaving foam, laundry starch (available from Amazon) and water.

Before you begin mix approximately two teaspoons of laundry starch with two yo three tablespoons of water. It should have the consistency of full-fat milk.

1. Pour about 100g of pva glue into a large bowl.

2. Add paint - as much as you like!

3. Mix.

4. Add shaving foam - a few large squires.

5. Mix.

6. Add approximately six teaspoons of the laundry starch mixture.

7. Mix together - it should start to come away from the sides of the bowl.

8. Use your hands! Kneed the mixture for a couple of minutes and it should become slime. If you need to add more laundry starch mixture do it now, but aware of adding too much as it will make the slime brittle and it won't stretch as well.

9. Keep kneeding and playing with it. The more you play with the slime the more fluid and slimy it becomes.

10. If you want to add glitter, beads, gems, googly eyes etc. add them now.

You have made slime!

A video will be added to IGTV shortly, I'm having a few upload issues at the moment!

The Wildlife Trusts Random Acts of Wildness - June 2018 #30DaysWild

I love being outdoors with the children, even if it is just in the garden. When I heard about The Wildlife Trusts 30 Days Wild campaign I was really keen to use this as part of learning and development with the children I childmind. I tried to incorporate all areas of the EYFS using the prompts - being outdoors with the children isn't limited to the Understanding the World on the curriculum! We managed to cover all prime and specific areas.

The campaign was doing 30 random acts of wild. I kept the prompts really simple because this was something I was doing with children under the age of four. We started off with having stories in the garden under the shade of the trees - I made up a basket of books with a nature/wildlife theme and brought them outdoors so the children could choose the stories for me to read. Stick Man by Julia Donaldson is a firm favourite in my setting, but I included some of my old Flower Fairies books by Cicely Mary Barker and some lesser known ones  - Christopher Nibble by Charlotte Middleton has now become one of the most requested books here (It's a great way for little ones to learn about growing food and plants from seeds). 

We looked up at the clouds and talked about what we could see - did they make a picture? We made daisy chains, played I-Spy along the Wirral Way, practised our sun salutations with some simple yoga for kids and listened to the birds. 

We couldn't have a random act of wildness without looking under the plant pots to see what bugs were lurking there. I printed off some worksheets and we went on a nature hunt. 

We made some wild art using sticks, fallen leaves and other bits and bobs in the garden. I planned to make a wild rainbow with the children on one of the days but this was harder than I thought so it turned into a colour hunt around the garden where we looked for plants and insects to match the colours of the rainbow. Although I didn't manage my wild rainbow, it gave me an idea to get the children to help plant some bulbs in different colours and watch them grown or make a tulip lasagne (an idea taken from Sarah Raven, the gardener, who has the most wonderful selection of bulbs and plants). 

One of the best random acts was listening - the children were excellent at this. We listened to the birds, we listened to buzzes  and we listened to the wind. This was such a relaxing exercise.

Outdoors learning is so good for the children's learning and development. They have learnt about their local environment - almost everyday you can see a heron on the marsh. Even though we have a wide-range of wildlife locally the children (and I) still get excited when we see it. 

And finally, I felt pleased to see a green woodpecker in the garden early one Saturday morning, pecking at one of the trees. I know the children would've loved to have seen it too. Nevertheless, I will tell the children about it when they next come.

I posted a few activities on my Instagram page - click here to take a look, but most of the time we were too busy enjoying ourselves to stop and take a picture.

Vacancies for Childcare

For more information please contact me via Instagram, Facebook Messenger or email (dottyduckschildcare@gmail.com).

I do not currently have any vacancies. Vacancies may be available for children in the Early Years age group from September 2019.



Page updated: 30.1.2019

Privacy Notice

GDPR Privacy Notice 

I record, process and keep personal information about you and your child in accordance with Article 6 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDRP, May 2018) 'the rights of data the subjects'. 

It is a requirement of my registration with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO)* that I provide you with details of the information I keep about you and your child/children. 

*https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/what-we-do/register-of-data-controllers/ 

The requirement applies to information I collect in relation to: 

• Online data processing 
• Paper data processing 

Records about your child/children 

I hold 2 different records about you child. 

Developmental records including: 

• Information from you 

• Details about your child's learning and development at home 
• A statutory two-year progress check 
• Observations of your child's learning 
• Assessments, individual planning and progress summaries 

Personal records including: 

• Personal details required by the statutory framework  
• Contractual details including attendance registers and fees information 
• Emergency details including your contact details and records of your child's health and care needs 
• Safeguarding and child protection records 

• Any records required to support your child such as shared information from other agencies and professionals 

What information I need about you and your children 

I hold information about you and your children to allow me to comply with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS, 2017) and the Childcare Register (2016). Some of the data I process relates to the Early Years Inspection Handbook (2016). Most of the information I collect about you and your child is statutory; when information is optional I will let you know you that you have a choice whether to share it with me or not. 

What I do with your data and whom it is shared 

I am required to ensure that the information I collect about you and your child is treated confidentially and only shared when there is a need for it to be shared, ideally with your permission in advance of sharing e.g.  

• I share information with other settings and agencies involved in your child's care – I am required to do this by the EYFS (Sharing Information Permission Slip) 
• I am required to share a copy of your child's two-year progress check with your child's Health Visitor – I am required to do this by the EYFS (Sharing Information Permission Slip) 
• I share information about income and expenses including, when requested, your invoices and payments with the HMRC and Tax Credits 

Ensuring your data is accurate 

Under the GDPR I am required about you and your child/children up to date and to ensure it is accurate: I will do this regularly. You have the right to access personal data about you and your child/children and I will share this information with you upon request. 

How long I keep your data 

I am required to inform you how long I retain data about you and your child/children. You will find this information in my Retention Policy. Further information about retention will be clarified in the Contract Termination Letter when your child leaves the setting. 

How I delete your data 

• Online deletion - data will be deleted with CCleaner from Piriform. 
• Paper deletion – files held in paper format including photos will be handed to parents/cares when the child begins school or leaves my setting. Any data left with me will be shredded 

Please refer to the Retention Policy for more information. 

How you can make a complaint 

I am required to inform you how you can make a complaint relating to a data breach or if you think I am not processing your data appropriately. 

Complaining to Ofsted – by phone 0300 1231231, by email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk , by post Picadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester, M1 2WD. 

Complaining to ICO – by phone 0303 1231113. Further information can be found on their website:https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/report-a-breach/ 

Online data processing 

I ensure I have up to date virus protection and passwords. 

Electronic equipment 

I use a password protected laptop for childminding purposes, which has antivirus software installed – updated regularly. 

I use Microsoft One Drive to record income and expenses – children are identified by their initials on the spreadsheet.  

My Blog 

I usually have the comment function disabled from my blog posts. If it is possible to comment on post, a name and e-mail address is required. I do not use this information. 

Facebook Page & Instagram 

If you like or comment on the Dotty Ducks Childcare Facebook page or Instagram your name will be displayed. I do not use this information. I may occasionally send a photo via Facebook Messenger from the Dotty Ducks Childcare page. I will only do this if you have given permission, which can be revoked at any time. 

E-mail 

I use Gmail to send and receive emails. I keep your email address on Gmail in order to contact you and send information. 

Mobile Phone 

I keep your contact numbers in my mobile phone in order to contact you. My provider is EE. I use your contact numbers to phone and text you. 

Paper data processing 

Most of the personal data I collect is in paper form.  

• Learning and development information 

• Attendance registers 
• Documents for HMRC – including invoices 
• Permission forms 
• Safeguarding forms relating to your child's health & wellbeing 
• Emergency contact details 

More information is available in my data audit. 

Local Authority funding forms – I do not provide funding so have excluded this from my documents. Should I decided to offered funded places all documents will be updated to reference how data is used & processed. 

Changes to this privacy notice 

This document will be reviewed annual unless changes are required before. 

Document written: 1/4/18 

For review: May 2019 

CB

Dotty Ducks Childcare