In July 2013, tennis tables were installed in Stanley Park by Liverpool City Council to celebrate the success of the 2012 Olympics! This picture was taken of Poppy and Chloe when they were just two and three!
So in 2020 we returned to take this flashback picture, taken six years later! They still cant play it! Maybe we should have tennis lessons?
As we’ve been on isolation this week, Poppy and Chelsea decided to watch the YouTube video of Simple Politic’s second session on ‘What Matters Most?’ from the comfort of Chelsea’s bed! The session started with some fun questions about ‘What Matters Most?’ to us: Reading, Playing Games or Making Videos. We put our favourites in a ranking order and discussed why they were ranked in that order.
Tatton then told us, if we had 45 minutes to split between the three activities, how much time would we spend on each activity? Chelsea split hers 25 mins on Reading and 20 mins on games because she doesn’t really make videos that often and she loves reading!
Our next question was which is better: Playing Games or Doing Chores? The participants in the interactive session were almost unanimous on Playing Games. However, Tatton pointed out that sometimes Doing Chores comes with rewards! Poppy chose Chores because she loves tidying and organising her room and toys!
The penultimate part of the session was a role playing moment. We were asked if we were the Prime Minister and had £5 million to spend on our services, how would we split the money? Out of Education, Hospitals and the Environment – but knowing that it takes at least £2 million to really make a difference.
This was one of our hardest questions so far from the series of sessions. Chelsea felt that Education could improve the hospitals and medicine sector in the future and also build on the sciences and awareness of looking after the environment at the current moment. Chelsea chose to give £2 million to Education, £2 million to Medicine and £1 million to the Environment, with hopes that a boost in Education could later garner awareness and knowledge of what we can do to help the Environment.
Whereas Poppy felt the Hospitals were in dire need of help at the moment and schools had enough at the moment (because they’re closed). She originally wrote £3 million to ‘Hospitals / Vaccine / Medicine / Cancer’ and £2 million to help the Environment. But later changed her decision to split the money more evenly: £2 million to Medicine, £2 million to helping the Environment and £1 million to schools. Even though she knew it wouldn’t make as much of a difference, she felt the Medicine sector and Environment were more important than schools at this present time.
Our last decision was a tough one. What is most important to us? Family, Community or the Country. We thought about why our chosen options mean more to us than the other options. Poppy’s choice ‘Family’ was based on her closest environment, whereas Chelsea chose the broader option of ‘Country’ as she believes in nationwide equality. That’s not to say she doesn’t love and care for her family and local community but when big decisions are made, these decisions trickle down into the local community and then into our family’s lives.
It was super interesting to see the views a of 9 year old, compared to the beliefs of her older sister of 26 years! We really enjoyed working together and pausing Tatton to have in-depth chats about why we make the decisions we make! Again, we talked about how there are no right or wrong answers in politics just your own!
You can watch the full video here! Get your children involved, ask questions, listen to different thoughts and opinions we all have!
In January 1993, I had my first daughter Gemma-Leigh. At the time I was working in hospitality and due to the unsociable hours, I became a stay-at-home mother. My second daughter, Chelsea came along nineteen months later, in September 1994. Unfortunately, during childbirth I had complications and Chelsea was born with Erb’s Palsy.
I spent the next year taking Chelsea to hospital appointments in London and spending one-on-one time with her; giving her regular physio therapy as instructed by the doctors, whilst Gemma attended Montessori School. Within that year, I separated from the girls’ father and decided that due to Chelsea’s condition, I would become a Childminder to earn wages so I could stay at home and still give Chelsea the care she needed. I loved being able to work from home, support my children financially and physically, and still enjoy my work. Back then, I was not earning a great deal and I was asked to go into fostering, which paid well and was also working with children. This was very rewarding! But also hard work, due to the situation the foster children had been in.
In 2000, I decided to move up to Liverpool, where my mum had her own childminding business. We agreed to work as Co-Childminders and my little family moved to Liverpool in July 2001. It was this year that OFSTED began inspecting childminders and nurseries within their framework so once the girls had settled in at school, I registered with Liverpool City Council. OFSTED recognised us as qualified childcare, meaning training was provided by the council and I took every opportunity I could to expand my knowledge. I started my NVQ’s in Childcare and Education, which opened my eyes to the many ways I could expand my practice.
Co-Childminding was fantastic as it provided us with flexibility, so I could always attend the girls’ school for assemblies, sports days and anything else regarding my girls. Mum and I specialised in children with specific needs, and cared for the children and their families holistically. We started providing services to teenage parents so they could access ‘Care to Learn’ funding around their own education, encouraging and supporting them via childcare, to go back to school and into workplaces. This service helped us to network with other professionals and I joined a Childminding Network which was funded by Liverpool City Council.
Training was made available to the network and was very successful. The network started with two groups (North and South Liverpool) and went on to be a key role in every Children’s Centre in Liverpool. One of the first Children’s Centres to open in the city was in Stoneycroft. I was asked by the city-wide Co-ordinator to apply for the role of Childminder Network Co-ordinator which was a full time position. I applied for the job and got it! I was overwhelmed, but realised I would have to give up childminding which I loved.
In 2005, I started my new job role whilst the Stoneycroft Children’s Centre was being built. It was fantastic being part of a team and watching the centre turn into a hub for the local community. Childminders who joined the city-wide networks thrived in positive ways, from: access to training, drop-in sessions, one-on-one support, Quality Assurance (accredited award by NCMA) and training facilitated by the Network Co-ordinators including myself. With the help of Stoneycroft’s Family Link Workers, I set up a Toy Library for Childminders and local families, and expanded my work into the wider community. I underwent specialised training in: Baby Massage, Baby Yoga, Music and Movement, Nutrition, Dental-care and Healthcare. I connected with local schools, nurseries, after-school clubs, midwifes, health visitors, doctors etc.
Although the job was also very rewarding, I was missing working hands-on with the children. By the time I left the role, there was a total of twenty two Childminder Network Co-ordinators, one in every Children’s Centre! Unfortunately, due to Government funding cuts, the positions are no longer. I have always continued to network with childminders; offering support and sharing ideas and knowledge. This is something I hope to provide with this website and blog; free access to inspiration and support!
In 2010, I re-registered with OFSTED as a Childminder and it proved to be the right time as my third daughter, Poppy was born at just thirty two weeks in July 2011. I was so lucky that Poppy got into a routine for sleep and feeding, as within two weeks I was back childminding full-time. Since 2011, I have specialised in Outdoor Learning. I participated in Forest School workshops and training ran by the Forest Childcare Association. If you’re interested in getting your childcare setting out and about check out Kay’s Forest Pack. Having lived on two farms during childhood I personally view outdoor play as essential to children’s health and development as it provides a spectrum of learning opportunities. I have always provided the children in my care with outdoor play activities. In my last setting I had a small yard which I maximised to incorporate play, relaxing and learning; using purpose-built planters and soft play toys to utilise the space. But still, I craved a bigger garden with ponds, wildlife, grass, and raised beds for growing even more herbs, fruit and vegetables.
Three years ago, my dream came true when I found my garden! We moved into our current setting in September 2017 and the garden was already a lovely space but I had big ideas! I spent the first year watching it change through the seasons, while I planned what I could change to provide the children with learning opportunities and my family with a safe, calming space to relax. Over the last three years, we have grown a vast range of herbs, fruit and vegetables. The children learn from seed-to-crop helping to sow, prick out, pot and harvest the crops. The pond life is thriving, last summer we made small hiding ponds for our travelling frogs – check out our blog post about them! Gardening is my main hobby, its my relaxation and happy place.
With the current COVID restrictions we have adapted the way we work and the garden has proved invaluable. We have had major building work completed to the play rooms so the children have extra space and freedom indoors and my family are kept safe. Parents can view the children playing through our large bay window and it gives prospective parents the opportunity to see how our setting operates in a safe and secure way. For more on changes we’ve made due to the pandemic, visit our policies page.
In 2001, I started my childcare journey at just 17 years old. I began an NVQ Level 2 in Early Years and Education whilst on a placement at Liverpool Black Sisters Afterschool, later being employed by the company as a part-time Play-worker.
I stayed with the company for over 5 years but due to funding cuts and no space for full-time employment I realised it was time to move on. I wanted a more stable career in order to get myself on the property ladder and start a family of my own with my partner David.
This is when I changed my career toward Adult Care and received an NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care. During employment, I provided Supported Living for adults with learning difficulties. I learned so much about myself and the care needs of others.
Whilst in this job, I bought my first home and shortly after moving in, I had my first child George. Not far behind, followed Olivia Rose. David and I tied-the-knot in 2010.
Having George and Olivia was how I met Tracie, and her co-childminder Phyllis Smith, as they provided childcare for the children while I worked in Adult Care.
In 2011, I had to give up my job to take care of my Mum. At this time, I also needed time out for my own health problems, which David supported me through from start to finish.
With everything happening in my personal life and having two young babies, I decided to take a course to become a childminder myself. However, OFSTED guidelines state I can only care for a particular number of children and my own babies took up two of those places. This career path was not cost-effective to contribute to the family and lead to conversations with Tracie about childminding. Tracie took me on as a Childcare Assistant and I have worked for Tracie’s Treasures ever since!
After many years resolving my health problems, our ‘Miracle Baby’ Leo joined the family in 2017!
Tracie’s grandson, Jack was born on the 9th of October weighing in at 9lb 3oz.
We are happy to announce the arrival of our youngest addition to the childminding family. Jack was born in October and is thriving, Chloe is such a good, big sister and is very protective of him. The children love him coming to visit and Tracie loves having lots and lots of cuddles with her grandson.
During October half term we made some big changes to the play rooms, we had builders in to take down the dividing walls to give the children extra space and zoned areas.
We decided to make this change due to the Covid Pandemic, to provide the children with a safe open space and much more maintainable for Tracie and Emma.
The first job was to take down the wall between both rooms. Once this was completed, the area where the wall came down was plastered for a smooth finish. When the builder left, it was time to have the new flooring laid, we chose a wood-patterned Lino flooring as it is easier to clean and sterilise for when we have messy play, meal times and craft activities.
While planning the building work, we asked all the children what they would like to see on the walls. They asked if we could have a Castle! We went with this idea and extended the theme to include a project on castles. The activities included: reading stories, looking at reference books, role play, small world toys, craft and construction. The Wildlife Rangers used the internet to find different types of castles, finding pictures and printable colouring in pages for the Little Seedlings and themselves.
Emma painted our castle on the wall, including the dragon to protect our Library. Tracie bought large wooden numbers and painted them with animal and insect patterns for our learning tree.
The Wildlife Rangers asked for a book corner, they wanted to be able to easily reach their books specifically for their age with bean bags and cushions to snuggle on. Jack’s mum donated the alphabet book unit.
Our next project is to make an alphabet frieze with help from all the children. Pictures to follow in January.
In the early hours of Christmas Day while we were all tucked up in bed, Tracie was rudely awoken by the sound of ‘crunch crunch.’
She slowly crept down the stairs, and to her surprise, look who she saw in the front room! It was Rudolf the Reindeer eating all her carrots!!
She carefully took this picture for you all to see, as she knew you would never believe her! Very quietly, Tracie sneaked back to bed before Father Christmas realised she was awake and decided not to fill her stocking!
Did anyone else get to meet Rudolf?
This is Bramble our gorgeous Collie. She is eight years old and we have had her since she was a puppy. Having a dog around our setting helps to teach the children how to handle dogs, care for them and we encourage dog safety.
This is Fizzy, she’s our moody black cat! She is also eight years old like Bramble. She thinks she’s a dog and growls at everyone! But really she’s a softy.
Now, this is Flora. She is two years old, black and white, and total a whirlwind. She thinks she’s one of the children and loves to play! She’s very nosy, noisy and fun-loving! She joins in with play and games, often nicking the dice or balls we are using. She’s so daft she will let the children walk around with her and dress her up! At story time, she comes and sits on the carpet to listen or curls up on Tracie’s lap while she reads to the children.
Meet Rosie, she’s our timid calico cat. She is two years old and likes to curl up anywhere it’s warm. She watches everything we do but likes to keep out of the way.
Tracie's Treasures 