Blog

This week on our Hygge blog we're joining my our members Sarah and Carly. The home based childcare team and recently completed the Hygge in the Early Years Accreditation. 

"My journey on the Hygge Accreditation has been life changing. Yes, I know it sounds corny but honestly it changed every except of my life.

This February I’ve been a childminder for 16 years and the changes and support childminders get has virtually disappeared. Training is now left to us to source as well as the cost. With no support from our local authority we collect a lot of information from support groups like early years teachers, childcare groups and other settings on social media. One night I stumbled upon the Hygge Accreditation and Kimberly and I was hooked.  I soon signed up and honestly, I have never in my life been so enthusiastic to do any kind of training and learning. The Hygge Accreditation is perfectly put together and so easy to understand with a wealth of teachers with...

What is the real point in working harder and living less? Why have all the money but lack in happiness?

Take a step back and consider what means the most to you.

1. Working every hour of the day, chasing the next promotion, having ‘things’ but lacking in moments.

In this weeks blog post hear from my lovely member Karolina on how she felt before she started on the Hygge in the Early Years Accreditation™ (find out more here!) and how it's changed all aspects of her life for better!

When I started developing my childcare setting I had no knowledge about Early Years at all. I struggled every day by getting stressed and my mind was racing which stopped me from enjoying running the setting, as I was working on my own I didn’t have anyone to speak to reflect on my practice and continuously thought that I am not doing enough. However, I was very passionate about teaching children independence through real life play situations using natural toys and equipment.  I very much struggled to understand how to observe children, plan in accordance of children’s interests and next steps. In general, I needed help with everything.  When I came across Hygge course I knew that this was exactly what I needed to help me...

"How do you resource your provision Laura?," I asked.

"Basically anything that children can't do at home I do here." Laura- Stone Hen Childcare

This is how the learning happens and Laura brings in the teaching around risk, the curiosity and enchantment. 

Find out more about Laura's practice here https://www.facebook.com/stonehenchildcare/

My Christmas gift to you…

I could give you a present, or an advent calendar full of daily treats…but ‘things won’t give you moments of joy this Christmas. I’ve thought long and hard about this one and I want to give you 2 gifts this year; love and time.

So here is my letter to you doing just that

Dear Educator,

I know you care greatly about your job and work long hours doing everything you can possible do to give the children in your care the very best start in life.

I get that as I do too!

In the process of doing the ‘best we can’ we risk neglecting our loving family and friends that are around us.

But in our job…the saddest thing is that if we leave tomorrow, we will be replaced in a flash.

Yet then it’s too late…you’ve already missed so many precious moments you won’t ever get back. Think of all the giggles at bath time, seeing an elderly relative face light up when you spend time spend time...

This week we are joined by Hygge in the Early Years Member Amanda Fisher who is sharing with you her journey on approaching Hygge in a Children's Centre. 

I have worked in Children Centres for 9 years, prior to that working within a preschool setting whilst my own children were little, I am currently privileged to manage a Children’s Centre in a deprived area with a wonderful community spirit.

I always strived to create a warm, welcoming and homely environment; indeed it is the one thing the centre is congratulated on frequently by visitors.  I wanted to extend this feeling throughout the centre which is what lead me to explore The Hygge Accreditation, the ethos is one which I feel most relates to what I want to create and offer to families, a sense of warmth, joy and belonging. 

The centre is a hive of activity throughout the week and one of the highlights is the Stay and Play session we offer weekly. We welcome families with children from birth and are...

I remember Christmas as a trainee teacher working in a reception class. I thought to myself where is the fun, the enjoyment.. the magic?!

We were just in a conveyor belt of Christmas making activities! I wasn’t even sure that the children understood what they were making and why?!

We missed opportunities to discuss with the children the wonderful experiences they had at home of putting their tree up, family celebrations and going to visit Father Christmas in his grotto.

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum states that every member of staff must have appropriate supervision meetings with a member of the leadership or management team. Nursery managers must also have these with perhaps their nursery owner or the management committee or local authority.

 The purpose of the meetings is to support staff and their needs, identify the progress and development of the children, discuss any safeguarding concerns and celebrate success. The meetings also offer a good opportunity to deepen connections and relationships and be a time for self reflection.

 How can we embrace more Hygge in them?

Equality

Being equal is a key part of the Danish culture and so when organising a place for the meeting to take place makes sure it’s somewhere neutral. For example not in a managers office as this way it eases some of the stress staff might have with going into a leaders space.

We also want to make sure that there is shared responsibility for the...

I had a discussion with a Year 1 teacher the other day and she was sharing with me how sad she felt for her children.

Her senior leadership team were putting pressure on her to 'drill phonics' into her less ready year one children every day with extra daily intervention group time as there was a slight dip in Phonics Screening results last year...

Light play provides some excellent opportunities in your setting for children show some natural curiosity around science, engineering and wonder. Here are some resources you might like to audit your lighting play for…

• Light box
• Over head projector
• Torches (range of coloured lights)
• Shadow Puppets

Variety of loose parts to add to your light box;

• Shiny and reflective resources
• Coloured glass gems
• Twigs of varying lengths
• Mirrors
• Foliage
• Small world characters and buildings
• Plastic ice cubes
• Coloured counters
• Sweet wrappers/ cellophane
• Coloured cocktail stirrers
• Coloured plastic shot glasses
• Variety of buttons
• Paper doilies
• Numicon

Creative opportunities on the light box;

• Water beads
• Paint
• Black sand
• Eco glitter
• Clay
• Shaving foam

Don't miss out on the amazing opportunity to learn more about nature play here