At Helping Hands Childminding, we offer a warm, home-from-home environment where children feel safe, settled and valued. We aim to bridge the gap between home and formal education by creating a nurturing space where children can thrive.

The children are at the heart of everything we do. Our child-led curriculum is shaped around their interests, helping them stay engaged and supporting their development. We value each child’s uniqueness and believe the early years are crucial for building positive relationships, resilience and confidence.

We encourage learning through play, exploration and real-world experiences. From forest school and nature walks to community involvement and charity support, we provide rich opportunities that spark curiosity and build cultural capital. Our setting regularly engages with the local village action group, taking part in meaningful activities like community gardening and creating displays for the war memorial.

Outdoor play is a key part of our approach. Whether it’s in our private garden or out on trips to the woods, beaches, farms, parks or shops, we believe being outside supports mental well-being, self-expression and open-ended play. We embrace all weather, making the most of nature’s learning opportunities.

We observe each child holistically, using the Development Matters as guide. Progress and next steps are shared regularly with families through an online learning journal. We also share tailored home learning packs, including reading resources.

Our core values are woven throughout everything we do. We aim for all children to be:

• Kind – fostering empathy and positive interactions

• Resilient – learning through challenges and mistakes

• Well-mannered – we incorporate British Values in everything we do, we take turns, are well mannered, learn about the world around us and learn to follow rules. 

• Confident – developing self-esteem and belief in their abilities

• Great communicators – building the foundation for lifelong learning

• Have happy little minds – promoting joy, positivity and emotional well-being

These values are essential life skills we believe every child deserves to grow with.