Autumn 2026 Newsletter

The start of another school year is here already and some of our little ones have moved on to start reception this year.  They look so cute in their uniforms and big school bags and seem to already be having a great time in class.

We had a lovely year learning about ourselves, fabulous food and the weather.  Over the summer holidays we went for walks along the canal and on Horsell Common, visited Bockets Farm and The Outlook Discovery Centre, painted pottery, baked cakes, pizzas and breadsticks, splashed in the paddling pool and made experiments with water.  We made tie die clothing, slime, air drying clay creations and we painted, playdoughed, laughed and learned.

We had a really lovely FUN DAY on Sunday 4 August with a so many families joining us for bouncy castle and BBQ fun.  It’s such a great opportunity to see where the children learn and play and to get to know other families. 

I will continue to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, which has been reviewed (again) and will become effective on 1 September 2026.  Childminders have our own document and if you would like to know more just follow this link  Early years foundation stage statutory framework for childminders

Our topic for the Autumn term is The Farm, and we will find out lots of interesting things about farms such as the people who work there, which animals can you find on the farm, what foods come from farms.  We will also learn about road safety, world gratitude day, Diwali, Remembrance, bonfire night and of course Christmas.  We are always grateful for ideas and suggestions of activities or topics to add to our curriculum so please just let me know if you have any bright ideas.

We are going to review which charities to support this year.  We currently support The Dogs Trust and The National Deaf Children Society, but I will talk to the children and discuss which charities we would like to help.  If anyone has specific connections with charities and you would like us to consider making a monthly contribution, we would be happy to talk about this when making our decision.

We have a new reading room upstairs at my house where just the big children are allowed to go for 15 minute sessions to get away from the hustle and bustle downstairs.  I strictly monitor the children by watching them go up and coming down the stairs and by keeping an eye on them through a camera situated in the room.

I keep thinking I will start winding down and reducing my hours for childminding; and then new babies are growing and booking slots for as far ahead as 2028 so it looks like I will be childminding full time for the next 5 years!

I feel very lucky that I love my job and have such amazing and supportive families that work alongside me with feedback, WhatsApp communications and being welcomed into your homes to discuss bi-annual developmental assessments.

2 years ago, we reviewed our house rules, and we have just discussed these again.  The children agree with what we wrote so we will keep them active again this year.

Be kind to one another

Share our toys and games

Look after our toys and tell Ilana if something is broken

Sit on the sofa and run in the garden

Use nice words when speaking to each other

Eat together at the table and help each other by passing things when needed

Be safe at home and when we are out

Tidy toys away when we are finished playing with them

Love our animals and look after them nicely

No running downstairs, just walk