NESSAS CHILDMINDING SERVICES

Welcome to Nessa's

2010-03-16T18:28:00.001Z

Hello, my name is Vanessa. I have been a registered childminder for 18 years, and work with husband Mark, from our home in Birkenhead. Since we began childminding in 1993 we have cared for more than 50 children and, while it can often be a demanding occupation, we have found it a very rewarding one too. I hope this site gives you some insight into our daily routines and requirements as childminders. If you would like further information regarding any aspect of childminding, please do not hesitate to contact us.

About Us

2010-03-10T18:36:00.018Z

I am an Ofsted registered childminder and a member of the National Childminding Association. I have an NVQ3 in Children's Care, Learning & Development, and certificates in Paediatric First Aid, Child Protection Awareness, The Language of Baby, Birth to Three Matters, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Food Hygiene, and Health & Safety. Husband, Mark is registered as an assistant; he collects the children from school and, as an artist, he is often found amusing the children (and himself) with his play dough sculptures and drawings. He is also responsible for this great website.

ABOUT OUR HOME

We believe it is important that children feel they are in a loving, caring environment that is safe, clean and with activities that are fun and educational. Our home is situated in a quiet road near Birkenhead Park, and is equipped with a wide variety of toys, books, arts and crafts. There is a large kitchen/dining room which is used for those messy activities such as painting, gluing and play dough. Children are able to play safely in an enclosed garden with a variety of toys, including a slide, play tent, ball pond and sand/water pit.

Children can also watch television and bring along their favourite videos.

Sleeping children are checked on regularly, and have a baby monitor in their room.

We have regular inspections by Ofsted and the Department of Health. All health and safety requirements have been met, and risk assessments are carried out at the start of each day. We take every precaution possible in maintaining good food hygiene.

We have a no smoking policy and ask that this be respected.

Webcam
We understand that parents can be a little anxious about leaving their children for several hours a day, so we became one of the first childcare providers in the UK to install a webcam. It is situated in the main play area where parents can keep a 'virtual' eye on their children without having to leave the workplace. The camera is in operation throughout the day and a password is required to gain access to the images. Parents are, of course, welcome to phone or drop in at any time.

Why Choose Childminding?

2010-03-09T18:53:00.002Z

Because childminders only look after a small number of children, they can offer more individual attention than nurseries or kids' clubs. They can easily meet children's individual needs, sleeping patterns or homework projects.

Childminders can cope with a baby's sleeping and feeding patterns. They can also offer all the time, attention and patience needed when babies are learning to walk, talk, feed themselves or use a potty.

Children often stay with the same childminder from being a baby to starting secondary school, so they benefit from the kind of stability other sorts of childcare don't provide. Childminding also allows parents to form a stable, ongoing relationship with their children's carer.

Because childminders care for all ages, brothers and sisters can be looked after together, which makes life easier for the whole family. All children learn from being around other children of different ages. And children from different families who are looked after by the same childminder often form friendships that last into adulthood.

Many childminders look after children from early in the morning until late in the evening. This means children whose parents don't work from 9 to 5 can enjoy consistent care with the same carer. Childminders are also willing to take children to playgroups, nurseries, schools and clubs, and to pick them up.

Because childminders don't follow a strict timetable, they can be spontaneous. An unexpected sunny or snowy day is a great opportunity for outdoor play and learning. And if the children are feeling tired or under the weather, they can curl up and take it easy, just like they would at home.

Children looked after by childminders enjoy real-life experiences like cooking, shopping, gardening, mealtimes and outings to the park and library. From these everyday activities the children can learn basic science, maths, social skills and language skills.

As childminders live locally, your child can go to nearby toddler clubs, playgroups and after-school clubs with their friends and stay part of the local community. Childminders are part of the local community too, and take account of its varying cultural needs.

How to Find Us

2010-03-08T19:34:00.013Z

We are situated in Birkenhead, close to the main bus route into town, and only 5-10 mins away from train stations and the Mersey Tunnel. The Grange Shopping Centre and Birkenhead Park are also nearby.

Activities

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We provide the best possible service by ensuring that, through play and activity sessions, all children have fun while learning something new each day.

We are only minutes away from some excellent recreational facilities including, Birkenhead Park, Tam O'Shanter Urban Farm, Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead Library and toddler groups. We also arrange occasional visits to Chester Zoo and Liverpool Museum.

Other activities include, arts and crafts (drawing with crayons, chalk or coloured pencils, gluing, painting and play dough); role-play (dressing-up outfits available); garden (sand/water pit, ball pond, slide, play tent and tunnel); toys and games (jigsaws, construction sets, kitchen, shop etc); a wide range of books and toys are available for all ages, gender and cultural groups. We also have quiet time, when children can either watch tv, draw, read or sleep (see A Typical Day at Nessa's).

Parents will need to provide disposable nappies, change of clothes (in case of 'accidents'), feeding bottles, beaker, formula milk, dummies, wet wipes, and their favourite cuddly toy etc. Fees include snacks and drinks. Other meals are extra or can be provided by parents (see menu).

Our Policies

2010-03-07T21:32:00.009Z

Children's needs and welfare are of utmost importance to us, and we endeavour to provide activities and learning experiences that help stimulate their emotional, physical, social and intellectual development. We support and build upon what children learn at home and school, and keep parents informed about their child's progress.

Safety within our home and on outings is important too, and we ensure that all necessary precautions are taken to prevent accidents. We take positive steps to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures when children are ill.

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. It is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements (see menu).

We actively promote equal opportunities. Each child is treated as an individual, with equal concern and given equal chance to learn and develop. We take into account each child's age, stage of development, sex, ethnic origin, and disabilities. Children are encouraged to develop a sense of their own identity and culture, and helped to develop positive attitudes towards people who are different from themselves.

Children's behaviour is managed in a positive way. Clear boundaries are set, and these are discussed with parents. Praise and encouragement is given when children live up to reasonable expectations, and appropriate responses given to unacceptable behaviour, according to the child's age and level of understanding.

Parents are the most important people in a child's life, and we recognise that they know their own child best. We exchange information about a child with his or her parents, and show respect for each family's beliefs, traditions, and the way they want their child to be looked after.

All information about children and their families is confidential and will not be shared without the family's permission.

For full details of our policies, click here.

CONTRACTS

We are required by law to have a written agreement with the parents or guardians of each child we look after. This is helpful for all involved as it makes everyone's expectations clear from the beginning of the working relationship.

Once you have signed a contract it is a legally binding document. If you want to end the contract or change the arrangements, you must give us four weeks notice. If you are unable or unwilling to wait for the notice period to end, you must pay the childminding fees that would have been due during that notice period.

Photo Album

2010-03-06T00:50:00.014Z

Wow! eighteen years, and over fifty children - that's a lot. Yes, we've had the sulking, the crying and the occasional tantrum along the way but then, parents will be parents. Childminding is often quite challenging but ultimately very rewarding and, over the years, we've gained a lot of experience, had a lot of fun getting it, and made many new friends. So, if you're thinking about joining us, then we'd like to share a few of those moments with you, and introduce you to some of our children, past and present...

GALLERY

There's no doubt about it, the children we care for are a creative bunch. We have some fine stickle bricklayers, a budding Picasso or two, and if Antony Gormley had only play dough to work with, then they would certainly show the sculptor a thing or two! Here is Jaime's masterpiece.

New exhibits are now regularly displayed on Nessa's Facebook.

(Click images to enlarge)

Melting Moments

2010-03-01T16:48:00.003Z

Ingredients:

50g caster sugar
100g soft butter
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
125g self-raising flour
70g oats

Method:

Weigh and measure all the ingredients. There should be enough for six Melting Moments using the quantities shown
Put the sugar and butter together in a bowl and mix it together with the wooden spoon until fluffy
Break the egg into the cup, whisk with a fork and add just half of it to the butter mix. Beat it with the wooden spoon
Add the teaspoon of vanilla extract and the flour and mix all the ingredients together until all the flour has disappeared and it is a sticky mixture
Break the dough into 6 lumps and roll each of them into balls – try to make them all a similar size
Put the oats onto a plate then roll the balls in the oats and put them onto a baking tray that is pre-covered with baking paper. Squash the balls slightly with your hands
Put the baking tray in a pre-heated oven at 160ºC fan/180ºC/gas 4 for 12–15 minutes, or until cooked
Leave the Melting Moments on the baking tray to cool down

Don't forget to share!

Warning: As with all cooking activities, adult supervision is necessary.

How safe are your child's toys?

2010-02-11T18:12:00.015Z

A safety guide for parents and carers of babies and young children

Most children’s toys in the UK are actually very safe. Accidents tend to happen either when a young child plays with a toy that is meant for an older child, or because toys are left out and cause trips. But accidents can and do happen. Find out how to put a few simple safety measures in place to prevent your child having an accident with a toy.

Choosing safe toys
Always try to buy from a specialist toy shop or a well-known high street chain. Avoid markets or temporary shops - take care with second hand toys. A toy library can be a safer option – find out if there is one in your area. Ask for advice from the sales staff if you’re not sure what to buy, and look for safety and age warnings. Check the toy to make sure it is well-made and won’t break easily.

Understanding safety marks on toys
Age warning symbols show that a toy is not safe for children under three years old. A warning is often given because toys contain small parts that a baby or young toddler could choke on. These warnings are different from age guidance – see section on choosing the right toy for your child’s age.

The Lion Mark is a good way of finding a safe toy. Toys with this mark have been made to the highest standards of safety and quality and the mark is used by members of the British Toy and Hobby Association.

You might also see the CE mark on toys. This mark is required by law on all toys sold within the European Union.

Choosing the right toy for your child’s age
Most toys have a suggested age range on the packaging; however, these are usually only for guidance.

Babies under a year should not be given toys with long fur or hair that can cause choking.

Think about what your child is able to do and what they will find challenging. They won’t play with a toy for long if they find it too babyish or too difficult.

Don’t let young children play with their older brother’s or sister’s toys. Something that is safe for a six or seven year old can cause serious injury to a toddler.

Watch out for magnets on toys as they can cause serious problems if swallowed.

Some toys for younger children require adult supervision, like baking kits or toys used in water. Make sure you are always there when they are used.

Don’t buy a bicycle that is too big. Make sure your child can place the balls of their feet on the ground when sitting on it and can comfortably reach the handlebars and squeeze the brakes.

Looking after toys
Teach children to put their toys away after use. Most accidents involving toys happen when children and adults trip over them. Serious accidents can happen if toys are left on the stairs.

Throw away broken toys rather than giving them to charity or a jumble sale as they can be dangerous.

Avoid mixing old and new batteries in toys as old ones can overheat.

Throw away burst balloons immediately as they are a choking hazard, especially for pre-school children.

Tips for individual toys
Cot toys are a good way of keeping babies stimulated but remove them as soon as your baby can sit up or get on all fours. Babies can be strangled on cot toys if they fall on the strings. They can also use them to climb out of the cot.

Noisy toys like cap guns can damage hearing. Never allow children to hold them near their own or anyone else’s ears.

Kites are a great way of getting children out in the open air and can be a lot of fun. Make sure they are not used near overhead power lines and be careful that your child cannot become entangled in the strings.

Garden toys such as swings should not easily tip over. Use them over soft grass or soil. Make sure there are no hard edges, spikes or glass where children might fall. Regularly check fastenings, ropes etc. for looseness and wear.

Paddling pools must be emptied after use and either put away or turned upside down. A small child can drown in just 5cm (2”) water – this depth can easily collect in an empty pool left out in the rain.

Chemistry sets are only suitable for children over ten. Follow the age guidance carefully and make sure you are nearby in case there are any problems.

We strongly advise parents and carers to learn first aid
For further information on first aid and first aid courses contact:
British Red Cross
St John Ambulance
St Andrew’s First Aid

Rocky Road Clusters

2009-11-28T04:26:00.006Z

Joseph and Ashton stirring it up

This is one of those recipes where there really is no recipe. As long as you have chocolate and butter, and all kinds of lovely things to add to the mix, it will work. The idea is to make it as 'rocky' as possible, so into ours went the following:

Ingredients:

200g (7oz) dark chocolate
100g (4oz) unsalted butter
200g (7oz) digestive biscuits, lightly crushed
100g (4oz) mini marshmallows
100g (4oz) sultanas

Method:

Lay out 12 cupcake cases on a plate
Melt chocolate, and place in a mixing bowl
Melt butter and mix into melted chocolate. Stir in biscuit pieces, mini marshmallows and sultanas, and mix until everything is evenly coated
Spoon into cake cases
Refrigerate for 25 minutes until set
Don't eat them all at once!

Warning: This is fun food that gets your kids involved but as with all cooking activities, adult supervision is necessary.

Chicken and Celery Pockets

2009-10-03T03:45:00.003+01:00

Ingredients:

4 pitta breads
1 cooked chicken portion
1 tablespoon bio natural yoghurt
1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon English mustard
1 stick celery, finely chopped
A little lemon juice
Some salad leaves

Method:

Chop chicken into small pieces
In a bowl, mix together chicken, celery, lemon juice, yoghurt, mayonnaise and mustard
Warm pitta breads and cut open
Fill with salad leaves and top with chicken mixture

Serves four.

Warning: As with all cooking activities, adult supervision is necessary.

Tuna and Sweetcorn Tortilla Wraps

2009-10-02T03:04:00.004+01:00

Ingredients:

200g (7oz) can of tuna in brine, drained
200g (7oz) can of sweetcorn
1 red pepper, diced
1 tablespoon low-fat mayonnaise
4 small tortilla wraps
2 spring onions, chopped

Method:

In a bowl, mix together tuna, sweetcorn, spring onion, red pepper and mayonnaise
Spread mixture in centre of each tortilla wrap
Roll tightly
Serve with a side salad

Serves four.

Warning: As with all cooking activities, adult supervision is necessary.

Muffin Pizzas

2009-10-01T02:25:00.050+01:00

Ingredients:

1 muffin, split and toasted on the outside
1 tomato, sliced or some canned tomatoes, drained and chopped
1/2 - 1 teaspoon mixed herbs
1 slice lean ham, chopped
15g - 25g (1/2 - 1oz) Cheddar cheese, grated

Method:

Cover each half of the muffin with a little chopped ham and top with tomato
Sprinkle with mixed herbs, then some grated cheese
Place under grill until the cheese has melted
Serve immediately

Makes an excellent lunch for one.

Warning: As with all cooking activities, adult supervision is necessary.

Do you think your child has swine flu?

2009-09-25T05:07:00.106+01:00

Do they have a high temperature (38°C or above), and two or more of the following symptoms?

Cough or shortness of breath
Loss of appetite
Aching muscles
Chills
Runny nose
Diarrhoea/vomiting
Tiredness
Limb or joint pain
Sore throat
Headache

If so, please do not bring them in. Please take your child home and contact either:

The National Pandemic Flu Service
Tel: 0800 1 513 100
Minicom: 0800 1 513 200

OR your GP if

Your child is under 12 months old
Your child has underlying health problems
Their condition is getting worse after five days
Their condition suddenly gets much worse at any time

Swine flu is generally mild and most people recover at home.

Check your symptoms, using the NHS Direct flu symptom checker

Latest swine flu information from the NHS here

Download Dirty Bertie storybook leaflet (PDF, 263K)

Medicine feeder warning

2009-08-17T17:35:00.022+01:00

The Medicines and Health-care products Regulatory Agency has issued a press release, warning parents and carers of babies or young children to stop using the ‘First Steps’ medicine feeder imported by RSW International Ltd.

The product poses a risk to babies or young children as the measuring scales are confusing and could be inaccurate. A six month old baby was admitted to hospital with a serious overdose as a result of receiving too much medicine using this feeder.

The MHRA have stated that the safety, quality or performance of the feeder has not been assessed to the current standard and that parents or carers who have this product in their home are strongly advised to stop using it and throw it away.

Junk Modelling

2009-08-13T02:53:00.032+01:00

A seemingly simple activity with a load of old junk has a wealth of benefits for growing minds and children’s imaginations. It's a very tactile activity that depends on touch and texture.

By selecting individual items from a large collection and using those items to create a personal object, a child is enjoying free expression, using lateral thought and specialised design skills. The ability to model random shapes and materials into meaningful 3D objects gives young children an immense amount of self-confidence and a real sense of achievement.

They will need to visualise the end result and make the transition from rubbish to model using a whole range of fine and gross motor skills.

There may be problems to be solved along the way, a degree of patience will be needed and if the activity is a group activity, the young modellers need to learn to share, negotiate ownership of the raw materials and socialise with their co-workers

Junk modelling is also a very early lesson in recycling. It introduces the idea that even things that we have finished using can be turned into something else which is useful and valuable.

Modelling Projects
There are two options available. First, offer the young modellers complete freedom of expression. This is a very good insight into their interests and imaginations. The other approach is to suggest specific projects or themes that can be worked towards. Some good ideas are:

Robots - always popular with a very simple structure based on two different sized boxes with added buttons, dials and antennae.
Houses - also a good choice. Encourage the modeller to think about their home and how they could try to copy it.
Transport, such as planes and cars, provide lots of scope for ideas.

Encouraging children to copy familiar objects encourages them to look at everyday items with fresh eyes. Perhaps you could provide a simple picture of the objects they are trying to copy. Try breaking the objects into separate components or shapes and matching them with the junk items available. Very young children can still model by looking at simple shapes and ideas. Two cardboard rolls are easily transformed into binoculars, for example.

Junk modelling is a versatile craft that offers the opportunity to fine tune a broad range of skills and techniques.

A typical day at Nessa's

2009-07-30T14:47:00.008+01:00

We believe that routine is important for children to feel secure in their environment. Our routine is flexible enough to fit around parents' needs, outings and day-to-day events.

8.00 am: Children arrive and settle in. Breakfast, if required.

8.45 am: Older children are dropped off at school.

9.15 am: Structured morning activity. This will include arts and crafts, play dough, building blocks, shape-sorting, matching games, jigsaws, and music.

10.30 am: Snack-time. Fresh fruit, bread sticks, rice cakes, carrot and cucumber sticks. Drinks are available at all times.

11.00 am: Independent play. We have a variety of resources, including role-play, dolls, prams, kitchen, shop, garage, and small-world toys. In the garden we have ball games, a sand and water table, big sit-on toys, slide, play tent and tunnel.

12.00 pm: Lunchtime.

1.00 pm: Trip to the park, play group or shops.

2.00 pm: Quiet time. Looking at books, stories, drawing. Nap, if required.

2.30 pm: Outside play or baking.

3.15 pm: Collect children from school.

4.00 pm: After-school snack or hot meal, if required.

4.30 pm: Computer, tv, homework, free-play.

5.00 pm - 6.00 pm: Hometime.

Sing along with 'Nessa

2009-07-24T12:50:00.016+01:00

And the nominees for the 2010 Brit Awards are: (from left) Jack, Aaron, Jenny, Jaime and Ashton.

Early childhood is an important time when it comes to musical development. Children who sing or play music regularly, perform better at reading and maths when they begin primary school.

Playing, singing and dancing to music is not only enormous fun but it increases both fine and gross motor skills and helps develop hand-eye coordination. Those actively involved in music also tend to have high self-esteem, are better at expressing themselves, and forming relationships with others.

Artists at work

2009-07-14T16:36:00.024+01:00

Ashton and Jack showing Damien Hirst how it should be done.

Introducing your child to art can play a pivotal role in your child's development. Art can help develop a child's creativity, imagination, cognitive skills, problem-solving abilities, fine motor skills, and much more. Children who regularly participate in creative activities are more likely to excel at school. Art also helps build self-esteem as children take pride in the works they create.

Down on the farm

2009-07-07T08:09:00.006+01:00

Jack at the controls of a tractor with Ashton beside him

Situated on Bidston Hill, the Tam O'Shanter historic cottage and urban farm is run by a charitable trust with the aim of providing an enjoyable and educational experience for all.

It is home to a variety of farm animals, including pigs, sheep, goats, chickens and geese. It's a great opportunity for children of all ages to meet and learn about farm animals up close.

The farm is open every day from 9.30am to 4.30 and entry is free, though donations are very welcome.

Swine Flu

2009-07-06T20:06:00.014+01:00

How will infection control be managed and maintained during an outbreak?

If children become ill with flu-like symptoms, such as fever, lethargy, cough, runny nose, headache, vomiting or diarrhoea, parents will be asked to keep them at home and to seek medical advice.

If anyone in the setting has contracted swine flu, parents will be informed and asked to keep their children at home and seek medical advice.

Measures will be taken to reduce the risk of transmission, such as sneezing into tissues, proper disposal of the tissues, and hand washing. Antibacterial wipes will be used to clean surfaces and toys.

Will the setting close or stay open during a pandemic?

If any adult in the setting contracts swine flu, the setting will be closed, medical advice will be sought, and the setting will re-open only when all the symptoms have gone.

We will continue to seek information and advice from the Health & Safety Officer and Sure Start.

Check your symptoms, using the NHS Direct flu symptom checker

Accident Policy

2009-06-24T17:19:00.012+01:00

The safety of your children is paramount, and we will take every precaution necessary to protect them from hurting themselves while they are in our care. However, accidents do happen and the procedure for how accidents will be dealt with is as follows:

We will assess the injury, and will call for medical support or an ambulance if necessary.
We will comfort and reassure the child.
We will carry out First Aid procedures as we have been trained to do.

After every accident, however minor, we will complete a report in our accident book. You will be asked to sign the book, and you will be provided with a copy.

If the incident requires any medical treatment we will:

Inform Ofsted (under Standard 14. 3 of the Children’s Act Regulation)
Inform Ofsted of any significant events
Inform our insurance provider
Contact the NCMA Early Years for additional support

It is important that you keep us informed about your child’s condition following an accident.

Child Protection Policy

2009-06-23T03:01:00.007+01:00

Our responsibility as childminders is to ensure the safety and welfare of the children in our care. Childminders are trained to be aware of the possible indications of abuse or neglect. The procedure for dealing with suspected cases is as follows:

Referrals of child abuse

If a child arrives with injuries we will:

Ensure immediate medical attention, if necessary
If possible ask the parent or guardian how the injuries occurred
Accept explanations without making accusations
Make a written record, including diagrams, of observations and explanations given. This recording of information is to ensure that a reasonably full and clear account is obtained, enabling an appropriate referral to Social Services, if necessary
Contact Social Services without delay if we suspect the injuries were caused by an assault or by a failure to protect the child

Suspicion of abuse

If through conversation or other contact with the child, we have cause to suspect physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect of a child in our care we will:

Listen to what the child says. Be comforting and sympathetic. Ensure that the child feels as little responsibility as possible
Not make any suggestions to the child regarding how the incident may have happened. The child will not be questioned except to clarify what he/she is saying
Write down exactly what the child says, including any actions that concern us, and what we have said in response. This will be signed and dated.
Not make assumptions about whom the allegations may concern
Inform Social Services of our suspicions without delay

Once a child is referred to Social Services they, and the Area Child Protection Committee, will make an assessment of the child’s needs. Following such referral, Social Services and possibly the Police will undertake enquiries, and we may be required to provide statements.

Children and Pets

2009-06-22T07:26:00.018+01:00

We believe that children can learn a lot from having contact with animals. However, certain procedures must be followed to ensure the safety of the children:

Children are taught that not all animals are child-friendly, and that they should always check with the animal’s owner before attempting to stroke or handle them
Children are encouraged to treat all animals with respect, learning how to handle them correctly
Children are to wash their hands after any contact with animals and made to understand the reasoning behind this
Food for the pet is stored safely away from the children’s reach
A high standard of hygiene is followed, with careful thought given to the placing of the feeding and drink bowls of dogs and cats
Before the children are permitted outside to play, the garden is checked to ensure that no animal has fouled it.

Complaints Procedure

2009-06-21T07:50:00.006+01:00

We trust you are happy with the service we provide, but appreciate there may be occasions when you feel we are not offering you or your child the service you require. We hope you will feel able to discuss any concerns or issues you may have with us directly. If you feel unable to talk to us or that, after discussion, the matter remains unresolved then you can talk in confidence to:

The National Childminding Association on 0208 464 6164, or

The Early Years Childminding Team on 0208 464 9037.

It is a requirement by Ofsted that all complaints are logged along with the outcome and any action taken. These records must be made available to an Ofsted Childcare Inspector if required.

If you wish to make a formal complaint then you can contact the Ofsted Complaints & Investigation Unit on 0845 640 40 40.

Confidentiality Policy

2009-06-20T06:19:00.001+01:00

Any information regarding you or your child, given to us either verbally or in writing, will be treated confidentially.

You will be given access to your own child’s records but not to the records of others. All documentation relating to your child is securely stored in a locked filing cabinet that is accessed only by childminding staff.

We will not discuss your child with others unless we are given your permission. We will, however, divulge confidential information to Social Services and Ofsted if we suspect that a child is being abused. Please see our Child Protection Policy.

Contracts

2009-06-19T20:15:00.004+01:00

We are required by law to have a written agreement with the parents or guardians of each child we look after. This is helpful for all involved as it makes everyone's expectations clear from the beginning of the working relationship.

Once you have signed a contract it is a legally binding document. If you want to end the contract or change the arrangements, you must give us four weeks' notice. If you are unable or unwilling to wait for the notice period to end, you must pay the childminding fees that would have been due during that notice period.

Contracts are reviewed every six months.

Dropping-off and collecting your child

2009-06-18T04:22:00.004+01:00

Dropping-off

Please let us know in advance if you intend to arrive at a time other than that which was agreed. If you arrive unexpectedly early, we may not be ready to care for your child. Often we have children to take to school and may not be able to wait for you if you are late.

Please let us know if you wish to change your contracted hours.

Collection

We will only release children from our care to adults who have permission to collect them. We will, therefore, require a list of people authorised to collect. It would be helpful if a description or photograph was included for our files or, if possible, an introduction made prior to collection.

In the event of an emergency, we operate a password system, whereby someone who is unauthorised, but who is able to give the password, can be sent to collect your child. Additionally, a vehicle registration number may be specified. Please discuss how you would like to operate this system.

It is important that you arrive to collect your child at the contracted time. We realise that delays are occasionally unavoidable. If you think you may be delayed, please contact us and let us know when you expect to arrive. We can usually accommodate the additional care; however, if this is not possible, we will contact other authorised persons from the list and arrange for them to collect your child. We will reassure your child that you are on the way and, if necessary, organise additional activities, and a meal. There may be an additional charge for this (see contract).

If we have not heard from you and you are very late, we will attempt to make contact with you. If this fails, we will try the emergency numbers you have provided. If we are unable to make contact with anyone, we will inform Social Services, and follow their advice.

Emergency Procedures

2009-06-17T18:10:00.005+01:00

It is our responsibility to plan ahead for any emergency that may occur during childminding. Parents need to keep us informed of any changes to their circumstances and contact details. We will ensure that our records are updated accordingly.

Here is our plan for dealing with any emergency event that may occur:

General

To have access to a landline or mobile telephone at all times, and to be aware of the location of public payphones nearby
To make provision for an emergency childminder, with whom the children may be left, with the agreement of parents
To ensure children’s records are kept up-to-date. This includes parent/guardian contact details for home and work, GP details, and consent forms. This information is kept confidential, and is available on request by the parent or guardian for their own children
To ensure that our own details and emergency contacts are all in an accessible place, and made available to parents
To ensure that the First Aid box is well-equipped, clearly labelled and in a safe place that is inaccessible to children. The First Aid box is kept in a child-locked kitchen cupboard, below the sink
To ensure that the First Aid certificate is visible and training is kept up-to-date
To ensure that all assistants, children and parents know of the evacuation plan and escape routes in the case of a fire. Both front and back doors, and windows can be used for evacuation. The safe-point to convene is at the bottom of the road on the same side as the house. A fire escape plan has been posted on the bulletin board in the hallway.
All adults in the house need to know the location of the fire blanket and extinguisher. The fire blanket is kept by the back door in the kitchen, the extinguisher is in the hallway opposite the playroom door.

Specific plans in case of fire

Leave the house via the back door if the fire is as the front of the house, or leave through the front door if the fire is at the rear of the house
To practise the fire drill regularly with the children
To evacuate the house quickly and calmly, encouraging children who can walk to do so. Babies and children who cannot walk will be carried
Gather at the meeting-point, which will be at the bottom of road
Check attendance to ensure everybody has reached the meeting-point
Inform the emergency services as soon as possible.
Inform Ofsted if emergency services were needed.
Every effort will be made to ensure a mobile phone is with us at all times.

First Aid

To ensure that First Aid training is as up-to-date as possible. To regularly read through training notes to ensure that we are always familiar with best practices.
To remove any child from the source of danger and begin administering First Aid if necessary
Inform emergency services if necessary
Contact parents if a child needs to be seen by a doctor
Establish contact with an emergency back-up childminder if cover is needed
Provide reassurance to the injured child and to children present
Record what has happened, name and age of child, exact time and date, description of the accident, details of the injury, and a description of any steps taken afterwards. All records to be kept in the accident book.

A soon as possible after the accident/incident parents will be asked to sign and date what has been documented. This is to confirm what has been recorded, and that it has been clearly understood.

Ofsted will be informed of any incident, injury or illness that requires hospital treatment.

Equal Opportunities

2009-06-16T08:28:00.007+01:00

We give all children in our care the opportunity to reach their full potential. Sometimes this means adapting an activity to the child’s ability and stage of development, providing additional support and resources, or by giving a child more attention than others during a particular activity or routine.

Children are given the opportunity to play with all of the toys (subject to health and safety with children under 3 years of age); no toys are ‘only for girls’ or ‘only for boys’. We try to ensure our toys reflect positive images of children and people from different cultures and abilities.

No child will be discriminated against in any way because of skin-colour, culture, gender, ability or religion. We will challenge any remarks that we feel are inappropriate.

We encourage the children to learn more about their own culture, and to find out about the cultures and religions of other children. We do this in a fun way through sharing books, colouring, cooking and eating food from around the world.

We encourage the children to develop a healthy respect for one another’s differences, and to value everyone as an individual. We ask parents to share with us any special occasions or information about their culture which will enhance the children’s learning and understanding.

Getting your child settled

2009-06-12T05:16:00.004+01:00

We understand how difficult it can be for parents to leave their child with a childminder to return to work. So we will work with you to ensure your child is settled, and you are happy with the care we are providing.

We like to organise one or two settling-in sessions: the first, for parent and child together, and a second, where the parent may leave the child for up to an hour to ease them into the environment. These sessions will be prior to signing the contract. This gives you the opportunity to provide us with lots of information about the child: their likes and dislikes, routines, and favourite activities, etc. It gives us the opportunity to start to build a relationship with you and your child, and to understand the needs and wishes of you both.

When leaving your child for the contracted hours, we are happy for you to stay until you feel that your child is settled. Each child is different and some children will take longer than others to settle. We will work with you to support your child through this transition period, and will try to make it as easy as possible.

It is important that you and your child are relaxed and happy in our home, and with the care we provide. You may find it helpful to call us during the day to find out how your child is doing. We also have a webcam in the playroom so you can look in on them while you are at work.

Health & Safety Procedures

2009-06-10T07:58:00.004+01:00

The health and safety of your child is extremely important to us. We have the following procedures in place:

All toys will be checked and cleaned regularly to ensure they are safe for your child to use. Any broken or hazardous toys will be removed immediately. Children will only be offered toys and resources that are suitable for their age and stage of development
We carry out a risk assessment of our home every morning before the children arrive to ensure that it is a safe environment them
Children will not be allowed unsupervised access to the kitchen area
All plugs and sockets not in use have covers
All equipment will be checked and cleaned regularly
Equipment such as highchairs and pushchairs are fitted with the correct safety harnesses to prevent accidents
Car seats are checked to ensure they are fitted correctly
The car is regularly serviced and all documentation such as MoT and insurance is kept up-to-date. Insurance is for business use. Safety locks on rear doors are activated at all times
Equipment such as stair gates, cupboard locks, and fireguards, have been installed for the safety of your children. These are checked regularly.
The front door is kept locked to prevent the children from getting out, and strangers from getting in
We have procedures in place, which will be followed in the event of a fire (see Emergency Procedures).
The kitchen is kept clean, following the hygiene guidelines on the storage of food, maintaining the correct fridge temperature etc
We ensure that children do not have access to any waste
We do not permit smoking in our home
Strict guidelines are followed to prevent cross-contamination
The bathroom is kept clean, and all hazardous materials are kept out of reach of the children. Hand-wash will be available, and each child will have their own hand-towel and flannel. Children will wash their hands before all snacks and meals
We have strict protection guidelines in place (see Child Protection Policy)
Children must stay with minder when they are away from the home. Younger children will be strapped into a pushchair; older children will be in a harness or on a wrist-strap, or holding onto the minder's hand or the pushchair
We have the emergency contact numbers of parents/guardians with us at all times
We will work with you to teach your children about making healthy food choices, and physical exercise
Sleeping children will be regularly observed, and a baby monitor will be used, where necessary
We discourage children from keeping secrets
We will restrain a child if they are putting themselves in danger, e.g. running into the road

Late Payment of Fees

2009-06-09T19:50:00.003+01:00

We work as childminders because we love caring for children and supporting their development. However, it is our chosen career and business, and like you, we have bills and expenses to meet each month. We would be grateful, therefore, if you could ensure that payment is made promptly each week/month, as agreed in your contract.

If we have not received payment within three days of the due date, we will issue you with a polite reminder. If we have still not received payment after five days, we reserve the right to charge an additional late payment fee to cover any bank charges that have been incurred. If at this point we still have not received payment we reserve the right to cease minding your child without notice, and seek legal advice.

If you have had a change in personal circumstances and are now struggling to make payments, please let us know so we can make suitable arrangements. It may be that you are now entitled to additional funding through the Working Tax Credit and/or other benefits.

Lost Child Policy

2009-06-08T08:32:00.006+01:00

The care of children is paramount and we will always try to ensure that they remain with us and are safe. However, as responsible childminders, we have the following procedure in place, which will be carried out in the unlikely event of a child becoming lost:

We will immediately raise the alarm to all around that a child is lost, and enlist everyone to help in the search
If it is a secure area such as a shopping centre, we will quickly alert the security staff so they can seal off exits and monitor the situation on CCTV
We will provide everyone involved in the search with a description of the child.
We will reassure the other children with us
We will alert the police and provide a full description
We will alert the parents about the situation

We take precautions to avoid situations like this happening by implementing the following measures:

Ensuring the children hold our hand or the pushchair while we are out
Avoid going to places that are overcrowded
On outings the children will wear wristbands with our mobile number on them

We teach the children about the dangers of wandering off and of talking to strangers.

Managing Behaviour

2009-06-07T07:34:00.005+01:00

Promoting positive behaviour is very important, and we do this by:

Giving lots of praise for good behaviour
Giving children individual attention so they feel valued
Setting a good example, being a good role-model
Listening to what the children have to say
Rewarding good behaviour, giving them stickers for good behaviour, sharing etc

We help children to understand our house rules, which are realistic, and we are consistent in enforcing them. We will not give out confusing signals: ‘No’ means ‘No’.

We are aware of the different reasons why children misbehave, and will endeavour to keep to routines so that your child feels safe, and is not over-tired or hungry. However, all children misbehave sometimes, and we have developed different strategies on how to deal with children’s misbehaviour. They vary depending on the age and stage of ability of the child, and the situation.

Distract: Remove the child from the situation and give them something else to do
Ignore: Depending on the situation, we may feel that the misbehaviour is being done for a reaction and is best ignored
Discuss: Try to explain the consequences of their actions
Time-out: Removing the child from the activity, and sitting them quietly for a few minutes

We will never smack, shake, hurt or humiliate a child.

If you have any concerns regarding the management of your child’s behaviour, please do not hesitate to contact us. It is important that we work together so that management is consistent and your child is not confused.

When your child is sick

2009-06-06T07:10:00.004+01:00

We appreciate that, as a working parent, you need to go to work. However, if your child is unwell then they will be better cared for in their own home by a parent.

We are happy to care for children with minor coughs or colds but we will not mind children who are suffering from a contagious illness, or have had diarrhoea and vomiting in the last twenty-four hours. Please let us know if you are unable to bring your child due to illness.

If your child becomes ill while in our care, we will make them as comfortable as possible, isolate them from the other children, if necessary, and give them reassurance. We will contact you immediately, and continue to care for your child until you arrive.

Prescribed medication can only be administered after you have signed a consent form.

Activity Sheets

2009-05-17T02:41:00.011+01:00

Bookworm

Butterflies 1

Butterflies 2

Butterfly Mask

Centipede

Dump Truck

Elephant

Face Collage 1

Face Collage 2

Frog Jumper

Some of the colouring pages here may involve the use of scissors or small parts. Safety guidelines recommend these activities as suitable for children ages 4 years and older.

A note about creativity: Colouring pages that someone else has drawn is fun, but be sure to encourage creative expression and urge children to create and colour their own drawings, using original ideas.

Have your favourite photo turned into a work of art

2009-05-03T18:19:00.001+01:00

The once tedious experience of sitting for hours before an artist whilst he or she executed a portrait has now been made easier and more affordable. The same precise attention to detail and quality of the finished artwork is the same, but now you can order online from Mark Ochi, simply by sending the artist your favourite photo.

A portrait makes a unique gift that will not only become a family heirloom but will also give pleasure every day. So whatever the occasion, be it a wedding anniversary, new baby, or new home; simply select your best photo and post or upload it to Mark. The image will be optimised to create the ideal composition then turned into a beautiful work of art that will be a joy to give and a delight to receive. If you have been a past customer of Nessa's then you will also enjoy a 20% discount on your first order.

Visit mark-ochi.com and see for yourself the incredibly fine detail that brings Mark's portraits to life. (Click image to enlarge)

Childcare Enquiry Form

2009-05-02T18:10:00.010+01:00

OR CALL US: (0151) 651 2148

Make your own play dough

2009-05-01T22:28:00.002+01:00

Ingredients:

200g (2 cups) of plain flour
300ml (2 cups) of water
100g (1 cup) salt
1 tbsp of cooking oil
A few drops of food colouring (optional)
3 tsp of cream of tartar

Method:

Add ingredients to bowl
Whisk to a smooth consistency
Pour into a saucepan and place on a low heat
Stir continuously for 3 - 4 minutes until stiff
Remove from heat and continue to stir until a ball forms
Turn out onto a board and allow to cool
Knead

Store play dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Warning: As with all cooking activities, adult supervision is necessary.

What's cooking in

2009-04-21T15:23:00.029+01:00

	Breakfast	Rice crispies & milk, toast. Milk or water.
	Lunch	Cottage pie or vegetable cottage pie with peas & carrots. Mixed fruit. Milk or water.
	Dinner	Quiche, lettuce, cucumber & tomato. Dried fruit & fromage frais. Milk or water.
	Breakfast	Weetabix & milk, toast. Milk or water.
	Lunch	Tuna pasta bake or cheesy vegetable pasta. Mixed fruit. Milk or water.
	Dinner	Home-made leek & potato soup with bread rolls. Dried fruit & fromage frais. Milk or water.
	Breakfast	Rice crispies & milk, toast. Milk or water.
	Lunch	Vegetable hot pot. Mixed fruit. Milk or water.
	Dinner	Fish fingers or vegetable fingers with green beans & carrots. Dried fruit & fromage frais. Milk or water.
	Breakfast	Weetabix & milk, toast. Milk or water.
	Lunch	Sweet potato mash, veggie mince & peas. Mixed fruit. Milk or water.
	Dinner	Macaroni cheese with toast. Dried fruit & fromage frais. Milk or water
	Breakfast	Rice crispies & milk, toast. Milk or water.
	Lunch	Fish pie with vegetables or cheese ravioli. Mixed fruit. Milk or water.
	Dinner	Jacket potato with cheese & beans or coleslaw. Dried fruit & fromage frais. Milk or water.

All individual dietary needs catered for

Looking for Registered Childcare?

2009-04-20T01:04:00.008+01:00

A registered childminder works in their own home providing care and education for small groups of children. Because they care for children under 8, they must be registered. This means they are:

Police-checked
Registered childminders must have an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure – the most stringent check available, and which includes a police check. Any other adults who live with them must have a CRB check, too. Childminders are also health-checked to make sure they can keep up with the busy lives of young children.

Inspected
Before caring for children, childminders have to show a childcare inspector that they meet national standards for childminding. They also have to show that they make sure their house is safe for children. And, after their first inspection, they continue to receive regular inspection visits.

Trained
All registered childminders take an introductory training course. Ask your local childminders what it involved, and the training they have done since then.

First-aid qualified
Registered childminders must hold a current first-aid certificate, having taken a course on first aid suitable for babies and young children.

Insured
They also carry insurance so that, if your child has an accident or they damage someone else’s property, the incident is covered. If they have a car, it will also be insured for use with their childminding business.

Childminding Fees from January 2012

2009-04-18T07:35:00.011+01:00

Basic daily rate	£25.00
Half-day	£15.00
Hourly rate	£6.00 (2 hrs/day min)
Overtime/Unsocial hours
(before 8 am or after 6 pm)	£8.00 per hour
Occasional minding	Normal rates

Retainer fee	Half fee

Charges for absence due to:
Child's or parent's illness	Full fee
Childminder's illness	No charge
Parent's occasional days off	Full fee
Parent's annual holiday	Full fee
Childminder's annual holiday	No charge
Statutory public holidays	Full fee

Collect from/drop-off at school by car	£2.50 per collection/drop-off per child

Meals	£4.00 per day

All fees must be paid in advance.

EYFS Learning & Development

2009-04-05T02:12:00.004+01:00

We aim to help the children in our care progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage, in line with other outside agencies, such as nurseries. We will plan and work with the children, ensuring that the following areas of learning and development are carried out in a constructive manner:

Communication, Language & Literacy

All children in our care are encouraged to join in with nursery rhymes, songs and stories. There will be set times in the week when such activities will be carried out. We recognise the value of books to children, and have a variety from which they can choose for Story Time, or if they wish to sit quietly and read by themselves.

Creative Development

The children will have access to a wide range of creative activities. Each child will be able to use their imagination in a positive way. They can choose what they would like to do, such as painting, card-making, gluing, drawing and junk-modelling. We have a role-play area and dressing-up clothes so children can develop through imaginative play that is child-led. Through imaginative play, they can express their thoughts and feelings. Musical instruments are also available, and these will encourage children to develop many skills, such as imagination, listening and co-ordination.

Knowledge & Understanding of the World

We will take the children on outings so they can safely explore and gain first-hand experiences of the world around them, e.g. a trip to the park. We will help them to observe and note the changes occurring around them, such as seasonal changes. We have a garden, so children will be able to see how plants grow.

Personal, Social & Emotional Development

We will help build the children's confidence by caring for them in a relaxed and secure atmosphere, where they can choose activities that link to their EYFS goals. They will be able to work independently or with other children to develop personally, socially and emotionally. They will be given opportunities to learn about other cultures and beliefs, acknowledging the importance of people as individuals.

Physical Development

The children will be offered daily access to outside play, in either the garden or at the local park. A range of outside activities are available, such as play-tent/tunnel, slide, sand-table, bicycles, push-along toys, ball games, and skipping. The garden is shaded, making it ideal for children’s play. To develop motor skills, children will be offered a wide range of activities, including baking, creative crafts, dance, running and catching. An emphasis will be put on physical activities as a way to enjoy their day and stay healthy.

Problem-Solving, Reasoning & Numeracy

We will encourage children to develop their numeracy skills by providing activities that utilise counting, volume and measuring skills, such as baking, and counting songs. They will be encouraged to learn about shapes and colours through use of shape-sorters, jigsaws, colouring, and craft activities.

Testimonials

2009-04-04T20:26:00.011+01:00

Just a sample of the many kind words we have received from parents over the years.

"Our little boy has come on extremely well since starting at Nessas, he has picked up new skills and interacts well with other children. He always has a big smile for Vanessa when she opens the door of a morning! Many Thanks." -- Nicola L. & Ian W.

"Nessa and Mark are fantastic with our 3 kids. They always go the extra mile for us and the kids all look forward to their time there. (The first person my son ever said he loved was actually Nessa!)The kids are kept well entertained whilst learning at the same time. They are taught manners and how to share. They are regularly changed and fed.Nessa keeps folders for each child so we can see how they are developing and there is a webcam set up so I can check in on the kids at any time. Overall I am very happy with the care provided and feel completely comfortable leaving the kids with Nessa and Mark while I work. I would definitely recommend them." -- Clare P.

"After moving my son from a nursery, as he wasn't happy, I hoped he would settle with a childminder. After a month he was a totally happy and settled little boy, making us all happy. Vanessa and Mark are exceptional childcare providers, and as a teacher myself, I can say if I was a Ofsted quality assessor I would definitely award outstanding as they are and deserve the credit as they go above and beyond the norm, providing video, pictures, artwork and exceptional feedback every day, and above all a happy little boy who loves to go there each day! -- Bernie W.

"Thanks so much for your hard work in looking after our little monkeys. They will miss you a lot and we will miss you even more after a couple of days!!" -- Michelle & Alan F.

"We are very happy. It is a homely and happy atmosphere. Both our children have come on well since going to Nessa's." -- Sarah & Tom C.

"I have used Nessa's for my three children, and they have always enjoyed going there, they enjoy the different activities. I have always felt secure in knowing my children are well looked after." -- Dawn C.

"We are extremely happy with the services provided by Nessa's Childminding and we wouldn't hesitate in using them in the future or recommending them to family and friends." -- Jenni K.

"Jaime looks forward to spending her day with Vanessa. She never wants to go home when I pick her up as she is always in the middle of some game or drawing! Vanessa ensures that the children always have plenty to do during the day. She provides healthy snacks, and makes sure they all eat their dinners. If ever a problem occurs, and I have to work late, Vanessa will keep Jaime safe until I can pick her up. The children all learn to share and get along with each other, which stands them in good stead when starting school or playgroup. I would recommend Vanessa as a great childminder to anyone." -- Helen M.

"Just a little note to say a great big thank you for taking care of Lewis over the past couple of years. We are all so grateful to the both of you for everything you have done. Lewis has really enjoyed the time spent with you and his friends, and will miss you all. I've had such peace of mind knowing he has been cared for so well while I've been at work and he's been with you." -- Sarah M. & Martin S.

"Vanessa and Mark are more than perfect childcare. They not only provide my son with the love and support he needs when not with his family, But also offer education including music, imagination, painting. Very good that Vanessa helped me potty train my son and he has come a long way since changing childcare provider. I am very happy with the support and care they have offered. Overall an excellent service has been given." -- Carla B.

How much do parents influence their children’s future?

2009-04-02T04:30:00.007+01:00

The fact that parents influence their children’s development is nothing new. It is clearly the case that we are formed during our childhood by the way our parents brought us up. More importantly, we also inherit ourparents’ genes, which greatly determine what kind of person we become. But does it stop there? Can our parents influence us beyond making sure that we get the right education and the appropriate social skillsnecessary to find our place in society?

New research
The main factors that influence our physical and psychological profile are divided into nature and nurture. For some time now science has favoured nature over nurture, arguing that genes determine almost everythingabout us, down to behavioural patterns such as alcoholism, eating disorders, kleptomania etc. But recent brain research has begun to show a different picture, swinging over from nature to nurture. That is to say that there is now a growing understanding of how much the childhood environment influences us as adults, both physically and psychologically.

Premature birth
A price we pay for our extraordinary brain power is that we need to be born much too early. This is partly because our head would be too big to pass through the birth canal if we were born later, but more importantly because we need the environment to ‘programme’ our brain properly after birth. Human beings are like flock animals, who can’t really manage very well on their own. Therefore we need to learn social adaptability - to learn to live together with others. The way we learn social skills is to study and copy others. Therefore we need to be around others for the twenty or so years it takes (i.e. our childhood) to complete this programming task.

Pre-programmed by nature
The fact that our genes influence our behaviour does not mean a direct transfer. Instead the genes provide a pre-programmed tendency, or preference for development in a certain direction. But a lot can happen during childhood that will take us in a different direction. In order for us to develop according to plan we need the right stimulation at the right time during childhood. Therefore the environment during childhood is what ultimately determines our psychological and physical profile as adults. With the right input from environment, our genetic pre-programming will make sure we develop into harmonious adults. If however the child gets a less fortunate start in life, it will have to compensate as best it can to make up for what it was missing from the environment. As adults this often leads to psychological problems of varying degrees.

What is expected of parents?
Giving the right kind of support as a parent has nothing to do with finding the right schools, ballet classes or teaching good manners. On the contrary too much structure may have a negative effect on the growing child unless it matches the child’s different development phases. What is needed is rather to understand the child’s needs, to give the child the attention and support it needs to develop in accordance with its individual pre-programming. That is to say, simply things that parents tend to do instinctively.

Sadly though, if the parents themselves did not get the right start in life, they may struggle to provide the correct parenting and repeat the mistakes their parents made. So rather than inheriting through the genes, we ‘inherit’ through a repetition of the behaviour we were exposed to as children. This transfer of ‘bad’ behaviour is in fact so common that it is a major cause of psychological problems. Lack of confidence as adults, for instance, is usually linked with lack of attention as a child. Not being seen and heard sufficiently as a child is also a major cause of shame in adults: the child grows up believing that there must be something wrong with them since they are not getting the attention they need/deserve.

The importance of eye contact.
To be seen and heard, to establish eye contact with another human being is so important for a newborn child that it will do what it can to achieve this. The reason is that eye contact will trigger a new developmental phase of the brain. If for some reason it is not possible to get eye contact with someone this activation of the brain will be delayed for a week or so until the pre-programming will make a new attempt to kick-start this phase.

Vision is extremely important for the continued development of the brain and it is essential that it gets the right prerequisites to develop. One such prerequisite is a stable focal point that will act as a reference point for the child. In the pre-programming the mother’s face has been chosen to fill this function. To make absolutely sure that her face will be available often enough for the child’s vision to develop, newborn children can’t digest ordinary food for the first six months or so – the time needed to develop the vision sufficiently. During this period the child will be fed from a place that has the important face at the right distance. In addition the environment is as familiar and secure as it can be for the child outside the womb. To make absolutely sure the learning is pleasant, the child is also rewarded in the form of food.

Not just play
A clear indication of how important vision is for the small child is every child’s favourite game – peek-a-boo. It does not matter where on the planet you are; all children love to play peek-a-boo. One reason is that the child learns a very important lesson – that the face will return after disappearing behind the hands for a while. This is reassuring. But even the scary moment when the face has disappeared has its importance. Just as in other situations, a slight increase of the adrenaline level has a positive effect in so far as it sharpens our senses.

Chemical transmission
One of the functions of the brain is to interpret chemical messages that are circulated throughout the body. They carry important internal and external information that we need to keep the body and mind activated on an optimal level. The messages contain a mixture of current information and memories and act as a kind of ‘snapshot’ of information. The chemical messages also act as a source of information for the newborn child to picks up via the mother’s milk.

So along with the food, the child gets a basic idea of what the world is like, or rather the way the mother perceives the world. This is one reason why it is preferable to breastfeed. But even if the child has to getsubstitute food, the close contact to the parent holding the child on its arm has its importance for the child’s development. Among others things, it helps the child develop language skills later on in life.

Brain functions
One of the most important ways in which the brain interprets what happens in the external world is the activities of a structure called the amygdala. It acts like a scanner monitoring what is happening in the external world, mainly in search of potential dangers. In order to ‘calibrate’ the amygdala, i.e. to set the correct response levels against potential dangers, it needs a reference point. Usually the mother supplies this. That means that if the mother is stressed or prone to overreact the child will establish the same raised level as its norm. When the calibration process is completed the brain will stabilise it (myelination) so that it will remember the ‘right’ level for the rest of its life, which unfortunately may mean that the person will remainprone to overreact throughout life.

Early outlook on life
The majority of our outlook on life is determined in similar ways during the first year of our lives. After thatmany brain functions will be stabilised and be more and more difficult to change as we grow older. Becausethis takes place before we have developed sufficient self-awareness to understand how this is done, we find itdifficult to realise our own role in this programming later on in life. This is why we find it difficult to see thatthe world around us, which we experience as the same for everyone, is, in effect, very much influenced bywhat we learnt from our parents. It usually does not matter how much we learn in life, we tend to maintain this basic sense of right/wrong for how the world is. Until we realise that what we compare with is just ourown programming, this sense of how the world is may be a source of negative feelings, and even psychologicalproblems.

Fixed schedule
Some of the brain functions we need to develop as children can only be activated during a certain period. Afterthat we lose the ability altogether. On such example is learning to speak. Language has a unique place ’outsidethe brain’ in so far as it only exists in the interaction between human beings. Nobody can learn to speakwithout the help of others. If we are not exposed to language during a certain period in childhood we lose thisability forever. Studies of feral children (children that have been totally deprived of human contact duringtheir childhoods) have shown that despite expert teaching they have not been able to develop language later inlife.

Because the foetus goes through all the evolutionary stages from unicellular organisms to human beings, we areborn with a number of functions that will never be activated. This is simply because we don’t need themanymore and is part of the normal development process. Children that grow up in difficult circumstances canalso develop an imbalance in the different brain functions. Studies have shown that children growing up inviolent environments get an enlarged hindbrain. This is one of the areas that handles self defense. Often thesechildren also have underdeveloped frontal lobes. This is one of the areas that deals with social interaction andother ‘higher’ positive emotions.

Not just violence can cause imbalance. Children who spend a lot of time playing computer games tend todevelop enlarged areas that handle hand/eye coordination. More importantly, parents that use the TV asbabysitter for their children may find that the child has bonded with the TV-set rather than with the parents.This may mean that the child may develop a strong dependency on TVs and computers later on in life, usuallyin combination with difficulties in making contacts with other human beings.

Hope for the future
In summary, over the last decades brain research has been able to establish just how important our childhoodis as to how we develop in life. The positive effect is the increased ability it gives us to change the way webring up children in the future.

Vacancies

2009-04-01T19:47:00.028+01:00

Two full/part-time vacancies expected in February.

Pick-up and drop-off at schools within a three-mile radius of Nessa's possible. Includes Bidston Avenue, Priory Parish, Woodchurch Rd Primary, St Joseph's, Christ Church, St Werburgh's, Mersey Park, and the Woodlands.

Joe Cocker - Now That The Magic Has Gone

2008-07-10T03:57:00.005+01:00

ELO - Mr Blue Sky

2008-07-07T10:31:00.000+01:00

Normal service will resume shortly

Ray LaMontagne

2008-07-07T02:16:00.000+01:00

Normal service will resume shortly

Mark Knopfler - Brothers In Arms

2008-06-30T02:22:00.001+01:00

Normal service will resume shortly

Nessa's Guestbook

2008-02-13T04:39:00.006Z