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The Three C's for Childcare Businesses
The Three C’s for Childcare Businesses Consistency, Clarity and Confidence When we talk to new nannies, we often mention the importance of the three C’s. (Contract , Communication & Confidence: See Blog) The same thinking applies across the wider childcare sector. For nurseries, childminders, messy play leaders, play cafés and nanny agencies, the way you present your business helps families recognise you, trust you and remember you. Strong branding and communication do not ne
debbietheearlyyear
15 hours ago3 min read


Handprint Art: Treasured Keepsakes or Missed Opportunities?
Handprint art is a common sight in nurseries and early years settings. Tiny hands pressed into paint and onto paper or card often create charming visuals that parents adore. It’s easy to see why this activity has remained popular for generations. The images are personal, memorable, and frequently transformed into cards, gifts, or framed mementoes. The Appeal for Adults For parents and carers, handprint art offers instant visual appeal. The size of a child’s hand captures a mo
debbietheearlyyear
Feb 112 min read


Holding Space for Play, From Pop Ups to Play Cafes
Across the early years sector, play providers are creating experiences that sit outside traditional settings. From messy play pop ups in village halls to beautifully designed play cafes on high streets, these spaces are shaping how families connect with play, with each other and with their local community. Running a play space is not just about resources and set ups. It is about atmosphere, rhythm and the feeling families carry away with them. Often the most meaningful part o
debbietheearlyyear
Feb 53 min read


The Pro's and Con's of moving Practitioners between rooms
Many early years settings move staff between rooms at different points in the year. This can be helpful in some circumstances but it also needs thoughtful planning. Each room has its own pace and focus. A practitioner based in the baby room works in a very different way to someone based in pre school and this has a direct impact on children’s experiences. Why specialist knowledge matters Each age range brings its own developmental needs. Babies need close responsive care, sen
debbietheearlyyear
Dec 2, 20253 min read


The Three Cs Every First-Time Nanny Should Know
Starting out as a nanny can feel both exciting and daunting. There’s so much to think about: learning the children’s routines, understanding the family’s expectations, and navigating your first professional childcare role. To help first-time nannies feel more prepared, we like to focus on the Three Cs : Communication, Contract, and Confidence. These three principles provide a solid foundation for a smooth, professional, and rewarding experience. Communication: Keep the Conver
debbietheearlyyear
Oct 16, 20252 min read


Blurred Boundaries
www.debbie-theearlyyearsspecialist.com debbie.theearlyyearsspecialist@gmail.com Blurred Boundaries This is something we come across...
debbietheearlyyear
Oct 10, 20252 min read


National Nanny Recognition Week
September 21-27th 2025 Celebrating Nannies: The Heart Behind National Nanny Recognition Week: Guest blog by Kellie Geres Since 1998,...
debbietheearlyyear
Sep 1, 20252 min read


Pedagogy: Bringing the theory to life in your nursery
www.debbie-theearlyyearsspecialist.com Debbie.theeaarlyyearsspecialist@gmail.com Pedagogy: Bringing Theory to Life in Your Nursery ...
debbietheearlyyear
Sep 1, 20254 min read


Wellbeing for Early Years Practitioners
www.debbie-theearlyyearsspecialist.com Debbie.theearlyyearsspecialist@gmail.com Nurturing the Nurturer: A Wellbeing Reminder for...
debbietheearlyyear
Aug 1, 20252 min read


From Picky to Picnic -Ready
By Holly “Nanny Cooks” www.nannycooks.co.uk Holly "Nanny Cooks" Hi, I’m Holly, a paediatric food consultant, founder of Nanny Cooks and a...
debbietheearlyyear
Jul 1, 20253 min read


Hidden power of feedback
www.debbie-theearlyyearsspecialist.com Debbie.theearlyyearsspecialist@gmail.com The Hidden Power of Client Feedback in Nanny Recruitment...
debbietheearlyyear
Jul 1, 20254 min read


Why Daily SPF Matters (Especially for children)
Why Daily SPF Matters: Especially for Children (And How to Choose a Natural Sunscreen) Most of us think of sunscreen as a beach-day...
debbietheearlyyear
Jun 1, 20252 min read


Finding the right childcare
www.debbie-thechildcarespecialist.com debbie.thechildcarespecialist@gmail.com Finding the Right Childcare: 5 Things Every Parent Should...
debbietheearlyyear
Jun 1, 20252 min read


How to incorporate walking in our everyday lives as practitioners
https://walx.co.uk May is National Walking Month so we asked Lucie to be our first guest blogger to talk to us about how we can...
debbietheearlyyear
Apr 14, 20255 min read


Social Media and Nannies
There are many elements to this title. The three main areas that concern us are: 1) Job advertising We very often see nannies advertising...
debbietheearlyyear
Nov 23, 20233 min read
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