debbietheearlyyear

The children will be in bed, so the babysitter doesn't really have to do much. It is something I hear quite often when parents are considering babysitting. And, on a good evening, that might be exactly what happens. The children have their bedtime routine, go to sleep, the babysitter sits downstairs, watches a bit of television, perhaps has a snack, and the parents return home a few hours later. So why would you pay £20 or more an hour for an experienced babysitter when someone younger might...

There’s always lot of talk about preparing for Ofsted inspections in the sector. Settings are often panicking to make sure their paperwork is up to date, policies are in order and practitioners are ready for the questions an inspector might ask. But I think we need to look at inspections differently. Don’t prepare for Ofsted. Prepare for great practice. If your setting is being run well every day, your practice should speak for itself. An Ofsted inspection shouldn’t be about putting on a...

Choosing childcare is one of the biggest decisions parents make. For many families, it is the first time someone outside the immediate family will have a significant role in caring for their child, so finding the right environment and the right person is incredibly important. With so many different childcare options available, it can feel overwhelming. There is no single type of childcare that is right for every child or every family. The best choice will depend on your child's personality,...