"I was very tired, unmotivated and I felt rushed on a daily basis."

My name is Samantha, I am a Registered childminder  in southeast London.

I have been a childminder for 17 years and done many training courses.  Hygge was the first one that focussed on myself as a practitioner and my well being.

Until I started, I hadn’t realised that this was something I really needed. I was very tired, unmotivated and I felt rushed on a daily basis. Missing out on breakfast and drinking coffee as I set up. I wanted everything to look inviting before 07:30am.  I would be disappointed when the children were not engaging in the activity.

Focussing on myself, my vision and the children allowed made me to slow down and I realised I was still offering the cosy caring environment but it needed to be calmer and less manic. I started with having breakfast and a hot coffee before 07:30. I stopped putting out invitations to play but waited for the children to arrive.We talked about what they want to do and we set up areas together. Now we come together to do meditation at nap time and Hygge Friday. Baking together and chatting about our week. We all lay down after lunch and listen to Meditation music with lavender candles.

My setting offered a cosy front room area with cushions and throws but I battled with the balance of home versus nursery. Too much on offer and laminated posters were making it less like a home. I focused on the arrival area of my setting and the WC. I brought in plants, candles, and Reed diffusers to the WC to make it more inviting and cosy.

The  main entrance to the setting and was not very welcoming. It was plain with a broken doorbell and light. We replaced the broken items, the children helped to plant some flowers. A welcome to our home sticker was added and the door wreath is changed to reflect the season.

The parents notice board was very bold and bright. Now it’s softer, simple and I know its effective because the parents love it  and said they didn’t read it before.

We have added the children’s names to large stones in the garden and encourage them to explore nature through the use of the mud kitchen, herb garden and open storage shelves.

 The introduction to daily walks in the woods, parks and local lakes has provoked an interest in nature in the children. They are keen to learn the names of the local birds, trees and pants. It offers myself a little time to breath slowly and enjoy the fresh air. My own knowledge has grown too which has given me more confidence when engaging with the children. We are learning together.

The changes I have made are only the beginning. I am consistently observing, reflecting and changing the setting around. Changes in children and their needs means nothing will stay the same but I am confident now that’s the changes I make will be for the children and will always have Hygge and my vision in mind.

To find our more information on the Hygge in the Early Years Accreditation click here