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As an Ofsted-registered early years setting, we understand that finding the right childcare can be a challenge, especially when you’re trying to fit it around nursery school or pre-school hours. However, it’s important for us to explain why we’ve made the considered decision not to offer wraparound care for pre-school-aged children. This is not a…

What Mixed-Age Groups means in Childcare? In early years settings, especially in Childminding environments, the value of mixed-age groups is increasingly recognised for its unique contribution to children’s learning and development. While many group settings categorise children by age, Childminders often care for children of varying ages within the same environment. However, even in the…

Friendship is often seen as an important part of childhood, but in the earliest years of life, children do not form friendships in the same way older children or adults do. From birth to around the age of three, the adult—particularly a trained and qualified caregiver—plays the most crucial role in a child’s development. In…

A Milestone Moment! Starting at an early year’s childcare setting is a big milestone—for both parents and children. It is often an emotional transition filled with excitement, nervousness, and questions. Whether your child is a baby, toddler, or preschooler, their first day in an unfamiliar environment can feel like a big leap. The good news?…

What to expect? Your child’s first day at childcare is a significant milestone – for both children and their families. Whether you are returning to work, returning to education, starting a new routine, or simply encouraging social development, that first day can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. With the right preparation, however, it can be…

How can you and your child feel confident beginning your journey with Huggie Bears Family Childcare? Helping Your child settle into Huggie Bears Family Childcare: Understanding Attachment As your child embarks on their exciting journey into nursery life, it’s perfectly natural to have a mix of emotions. This is a big step for everyone involved,…

If you are the parent/carer of a toddler aged between 2 and 3 years old, you may have heard about the ‘EYFS Progress Check at Age 2’ at your child’s childcare — but what is it, and why is it important? What is the EYFS Progress Check at Age 2? The EYFS Progress Check at…

What is Overnight Care? Huggie Bears Family Childcare is registered to provide Over Night Care for children. There is a dedicated sleep room for children to sleep and children will be monitored to ensure their safety. Children’s safety and privacy are always safeguarded. We ensure that children’s health, safety and wellbeing needs are met whilst…

What is the child to teacher ratio? Childminding Ratios One of the most frequent requests we get is for clarification about ratios. In England the number of children a childminder may care for and the indoor space requirements are set out in the EYFS statutory framework for childminders, Safeguarding and Welfare requirements. You can find…

Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) is a graduate-level professional accreditation programme for leading practitioners in the early year’s sector – the Early Years Foundation Stage (ages 0-5 years), which is intended to be broadly equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status (ages 5 – 18 years). Since its launch in 2007, EYPS has become recognised as the…