childminding – Page 5 – Tracie's Treasures

childminding, family, Garden Classroom, Seedlings

Pumpkin Growing and Beyond

Posted on 16th Oct 20216th Mar 2022 by Tracie Dowling

Back in April the Seedlings sowed pumpkin seeds in the vegetable plot hoping they would grow big for Halloween.

We had bought large pumpkins from the local supermarket last year and kept the seeds, dried them out and stored them in a paper bag to grow for this year. We hoped they would grow big and strong.

Unfortunately, our pumpkins haven’t grown as much as we hoped for yet so the Seedlings went to the shop and bought one for our activity.

First the Seedlings looked at the ones growing in the garden, they were way too small, green and some still had the flower on.

Next we looked at the shop brought pumpkin and Tracie cut it in half for the Seedlings to investigate.

They touched the skin and thought it was cold and hard. When the Seedlings were asked to touch the centre, two of the children said ‘yucky don’t want too’ but Martie prodded it with her finger and smelled it, she wasn’t impressed.

Earlier, while out in the garden the seedlings picked some pumpkin leaves, for the activity they used green paint to make prints of the leaves onto paper.

Tracie cut the pumpkin in half and put it into some orange paint, the seedings swished the pumpkin to make sure it was covered in paint then used it like a stamper onto the prints of the leaves.

The seedlings made lovely pictures of the growing pumpkins in the garden. Alfie squished his pumpkin and the orange paint, mixed with the green to make an abstract painting.

The Seedlings loved the activity and we have displayed them in the front play room.

childminding, rangers

School Councillor: Jacy

Posted on 8th Oct 20216th Mar 2022 by Tracie Dowling

We are so proud of our Jacy this week for running for school council and winning!

He worked so hard making posters and finding out from the children what they would like to see changing at Anfield school.

Jacy practiced talking in front of others and has become so confident. We will keep you posted how he progresses being Council leader.

childminding, family, Garden Classroom, rangers, Seedlings, wanderers

Grandad And Rosie’s Garden

Posted on 8th Oct 20216th Mar 2022 by Tracie Dowling

Over the summer holidays Poppy went to Grandad Smith and Nanny Rosie’s to see how their wildlife garden and beekeeping were coming along.

Poppy’s sister Chelsea came along for the trip, she loved learning all about the wildlife and the bees in her grandad’s garden. We all talked about nature, looked at the bird houses and saw some footage of the baby birds learning to eat while still in the bird box via a webcam. Never too old to learn!

We brought along some tadpoles from our pond in Liverpool and set them free in Grandad’s pond, hopefully he will have some frogs next time we visit. Do you think they will croak in a scouse accent?

We sat and watched the tadpoles swimming around settling in their new environment. While we were watching them we saw dragonflies, water fleas, snails, hoverflies and lots of beautiful butterflies.

We looked around Grandad’s vegetable garden, he has grown lots of lovely vegetables and fruit this year. Poppy went hunting and found cucumbers, tomatoes, grapes and lemons in the greenhouse.

In the main garden we saw Sweetcorn, Beetroots, Green Beans, Cabbage, leeks, strawberries and lots of Raspberries.

Poppy picked so many Raspberries we had them for tea, snack and breakfast!

childminding, Seedlings

Edible Play-Dough Play

Posted on 29th Sep 20216th Mar 2022 by Tracie Dowling

Today we made some edible play-dough for the Little Seedlings to manipulate, use cutters and mould into shapes. It was fantastic for the babies to play with because it was completely edible.

Charlie and Alfie sat well together and used cutters to make some shapes. Unfortunately the dough got stuck in the moulds, we added extra cornflower to make it more malleable and easier to play with.

The babies started the activity having sprinkles and chocolate stars on their trays.

They were given the Play-dough and were encouraged to move it around their trays to collect up all the sprinkles to make it tastier.

Because we normally use Play-dough and our rules are not to put it in our mouths Alfie was apprehensive to try and taste it. He watched everyone else have a go first. He soon got stuck in and had a go, he didn’t like the taste but loved the sprinkles.

Charlie tried to convince Emma and Tracie he hadn’t eaten any! Think this picture tells a different story.

childminding, Seedlings, wanderers

Exciting Transitions

Posted on 14th Sep 20216th Mar 2022 by Tracie Dowling

Today was an emotional day when our Georgia, Fearne and Sophie moved up to Anfield School.

They all looked so cute in their uniforms, Emma and I are so proud of them, they have grown into confident and well-mannered young girls. They have all been with us from babies and have been a pleasure to mind.

Wont be long and they will be coming back in school holidays!

childminding, family, rangers, Seedlings, wanderers

Summer Holidays: Week 5

Posted on 20th Aug 20216th Mar 2022 by Tracie Dowling

Wow the summer holidays have gone fast. We have all had so much fun going on walks, rides, parks, beaches, farms, play centres and this week we have loved the indoor fun fair at the Liverpool Exhibition Centre.

Jack, Mason, Poppy and Chloe were so excited when the doors opened at the funfair. They ran straight to the Fun House and all we could hear was laughing and screeching.

Next stop the Swing Carousel, Tracie had to lift everyone into the seats because they were so high, she strapped everyone in securely and the man offered her a job of Health and Safety Operator!

Next we all ran to the Waltzers and we span around and around so fast when we got off we all nearly fell over we were so dizzy!

The Maze was fun, Mason came out saying “that maze is amazing!” Poppy got lost and couldn’t find her way out and ended up coming out via the entrance!

Tracie, Poppy and Chloe went on the carousel while the boys went with Emma over to the bouncy obstacle course.

Chloe was very brave and went on the Freestyler ride, how she wasn’t sick we don’t know! Poppy took it a little safer on the mini hopper.

The Haunted House was fun, Emma and I could tell which children were ours through the screams. Poppy closed her eyes the whole way around, she then said “that was fab!” Bless.

Everyone loved the bouncy slide and the mini Caterpillar Roller Coaster.

We had so much fun and all the children were all so well behaved. It was a perfect end to our Summer Trips. Now its a well earned Holliday time for Tracie and Emma! See you all in a weeks time!!

childminding, family, Garden Classroom, rangers, Seedlings, wanderers

Summer Holidays: Week 4

Posted on 10th Aug 20216th Mar 2022 by Tracie Dowling

Week 4 already! Wow the summer holidays are going fast!

Izzy has had lots of fun with everyone and has settled into our setting really well. She is always so happy, bubbly and watches everyone playing. She lets us know when she wants something or not, and thrives on all the interactions with children, Emma and Myself.

We had fun at the play centre, Jack loved looking through the peep bubbles and trying to point out his friends.

Charlie and Martie both finished off their ‘Liverpool Kindness Rocks’ paintings so next week we can all go out and hide them in all the parks we are visiting.

Tracie, Martha, Ivor, Jack, Sophie and Georgia all went to the Odeon to watch ‘The Croods 2’. It was very funny and everyone behaved so well they had popcorn and sweets for treats!

While we were all in the Odeon Gemma took Poppy around town. They had lots of fun, in and out of lots of different shops. Poppy said the sweet shop smelled so sweet and Lush, which sells bath bombs, smelled like fruit! They both loved looking at the display made out of colourful umbrellas and comics. What a sensory time they had!

At the ‘Liverpool Lighthouse’ this week we went for fun, games and dancing. We played musical statues, musical bumps, superheroes, dancing and tag. We also took part in ‘make your own’ lunch. We all got to make a healthy bag full of fruit, veg and sandwiches which we took to the park for a picnic.

The game of the week was ‘UNO’ everyone joined in so we ended up using two decks of cards. Chloe won the most games, Poppy the most tantrums and Jack the most ‘give aways’.

Poppy and Izzy loved playing together, Poppy read Izzy stories, sang songs and had sensory mat play.

The soft play was used the most this week. The children used them as a playground, hiding seek, building, sleeping, relaxing and role play! Well worth the spends!

Last full week before our week off, then back to school. I wonder what fun we will be having?…

childminding, family, Garden Classroom, rangers, Seedlings, wanderers

Garden Challenge 2021: Tracie’s Update

Posted on 6th Aug 20216th Mar 2022 by Tracie Dowling

When Sophie and I walked around the garden, I asked her to pick out her favourite fruit and vegetables we are growing. Well, she chose these lovely Lilies. Not quite what I asked for but she’s right they are lovely.

While we are talking Lilies, look at our amazing 8 foot Lily trees. They tower so high and they are so fragrant you can smell them all around the garden.

Back to our fruit and vegetables, below is our cucumber and we have grown conjoined twins! Double the trouble and size! Poppy ate it in one sitting!! She said they were delicious.

Our apples are coming on nicely, they are getting plumper, Monty Don says you can tell when they are ready as they twist off easily. Guess we’ve got to keep waiting. Be worth it though. We also have onions, tomatoes and strawberries growing strong.

In the greenhouse the Luffa vines are growing tall and strong. When they fruit the children are going to make luffa soaps.

The Cucumbers and Chillies have now left the greenhouse and are in the garden growing strong. Tracie watered everything and added tomato feed to give them a boost.

Our new project this summer is the bath pond. We had our bathroom turned into a wet room and thought the cast iron bath could be up cycled into a large pond. Our growing tadpoles and frogs will have more space and we might even get some fish! We will add photos next time.

childminding, Garden Classroom, Seedlings, wanderers

Garden Challenge 2021: Phyllis’ update

Posted on 6th Aug 20216th Mar 2022 by Tracie Dowling

Phyllis has been busy collecting her fruits and vegetables that she started growing earlier in the year.

Phyllis has grown some lovely beetroot which is Tracie’s favourite. They are tasty in a salad or as a compliment in a comforting Scouse. The peppers in the greenhouse are looking good! Chloe loves to munch on these for a healthy snack.

At the moment the tomatoes are still green, but by next week with a lot of sunny weather, they will soon turn red and be ready to eat with the beetroot in a summer salad!

The carrots are looking fabulous watch out for any rabbits Phyllis this is their favourite snack!

As you can see, Phyllis has a vast variety of fruits and vegetables growing. Looks like all her time in the garden has paid off.

childminding, family, rangers, Seedlings, wanderers

Summer Holidays: Week 3 already!

Posted on 4th Aug 20216th Mar 2022 by Tracie Dowling

Well, what an action packed week we have all had!

We have been walking, playing and having picnics everywhere!

We enjoyed spending time at home with the sensory toys, practicing our walking skills and reading stories.

We all chose to have glittery tattoos done at the Liverpool Lighthouse. We then had a fun afternoon dancing and singing.

We even took part in an fire evacuation practice, we didn’t want anyone to know it was our smoke machine in the disco that set the alarm off! Ssshh don’t tell anyone!! At least we got to practice an evacuation!

Fire Evacuation: Too Marks We Are All Safe!

Jack stood up all by himself and the boys went rambling up the hill all by themselves!

We went to Cirq d-Play in Great Homer Street. Chloe loved the tube slide the best, her mum wanted to have a go too! Looks like you both enjoyed the experience, lovely face Gemma! Hahaha

Jack enjoyed the baby slide and everyone wanted to have a go with him.

Poppy found the way up to the slide very challenging, Gemma and Chloe both encouraged her to have a try. It took about four attempts and quite a lot of screaming but eventually she made it up the ropes and down the tube slide!