Funtime Childcare

About Me

Hi I’m Heather a Childminder of over 24 years, based on Emerson Valley, Ofsted GOOD my setting was inspected by Ofsted April 2023. I give warm home from home childcare, with traditional values and a nurturing environment. Helping young children to be school ready in all areas of learning and development to the best of their ability, in line with EYFS. My family and I live in Emerson Valley just a two minute walk from Howe Park School and Preschool Ducklings, local coop shop all at the end of my road, only one small road to cross - nice and easy for little legs. We enjoy sport and exploring in the local play parks, feeding ducks, green space equally the other end of my road which is an no through road so low traffic and woods very near. I offer a home from home environment - food and drinks included. Although you are welcome to send home food if you wish. There are lots of learning and play opportunities, art, dance, music, sport and outings here. Preschool children go to Westcroft Library (sending books home too), sensory room visits at local Surestart Centre, Toddler Groups, Forest Exploring in the spring and summer mostly, Feeding Ducks and squirrels in the local parks, local farm, outdoor sport regularly.

We enjoy stories, dance, Disney films and music, sport (focus on balance and spacial awareness) art here with lots of role play and learning activities encouraging our phonics and number skills with table time activities etc. I provide a home from home welcoming environment for all children who attend.

All children receive a birthday gift and card. All children receive a Christmas gift (or if you prefer a winter holidays gift).

We have a downstairs cloakroom ideal for potty training.

A wide variety of toys and games and artificial grassed garden with access to wilder green space through the garden gate with adult attendance :)

Everyone has the opportunity to sing action songs and learn nursery rhythms, practice phonic:literacy skills and maths, art, sport, dance, exercise, play with puppets arts and crafts, role play, parks, woods exploring, library visits, listen to stories, tv for personal favourites kids tv which can be relaxing when little people are tired and they watch their favourite character for a break. Although tv time is limited and is not on all day. Have healthy food and drinks. Soft cuddly toys from home welcome to play too.

We also have a secret garden with wild plants and large grass area ideal for exploring and play with supervision. At the end of my road only a few houses away (no through road) there are trees, squirrels, herons, a large open grassed area idea for sport and parks within easy walking distance. Conker trees, acorn trees and loads of nature ready to share. Lots of imaginative play and games alongside safe, caring childcare.

Children who attend love playing with all the toys (particularly play people sets and puppets - there are so many) learning new games and activities, alongside making new friends.

Outdoors giant wooden blocks for balancing etc, hoops, balls etc a selection of Disney characters a box of under 18 month olds toys, Lego, dolls house, cars, action figures, Star Wars, musical instruments electric keyboard with light up learner keys and a real piano guitar, drums, bells, and recorders etc, large Chad Valley Wooden Kitchen, dolls/teddies, outdoor small low trampoline (trampet) ideal for preschool and early school age.

Sensory play apportunities and bouncy castle in holidays.

I work with parents to help to set and achieve learning goals and give feed back of your child's day, sharing photos, aims and achievements.

All diets can be catered for lactose intolerant, vegan, vegetarian etc.

Focus on learning and development through early years science play, socialising with others, play, music, dance and arts/crafts with plenty of exercise in and outdoors. Children never have a reason to get bored and everyday can be fun :)

My home has separate areas for art, play, quite/rest, tv, reading, and a wide range of toys/activities for all ages including Xbox One X with Kinect for Music and dance. We are also near to Howe Park Woods and the Parks Trust River Walk leading up to Furzton Lake - there are plenty of parks close by. Although we do drive to other great kids parks like Loughtons Pony Park, Walnut Trees Winnie the Pooh Park and Great Holm Wind in the Willows Park. We use the beautiful outside environment throughout the year to aid our fun activities, Nativity, Easter Egg Hunts, May Day dances, Autumn collections of conkers, acorns and leaves etc for painting/arts and crafts. Sledges when it snows and when it didn’t we went sledging at the Milton Keynes Snowdome. Fishing with nets in the stream in the summer, we also enjoy making bark rubbings, playing cricket, croquet, tennis, badminton, football, basketball, skipping, tag, Whats the Time Mr. Wolf, parachute games etc. We also enjoy joining in some of the local Play Association Bouncy Castle and activity sessions through the holidays at our local parks for an hour or two.

Alongside the activities already listed above the children that come to me enjoy creative play with lego/construction toys, play people, remote control cars, arts and crafts painting, hamma beads, jewellery making, collaging, imagination drawing free style and guided drawing by,(festival and occasion related - so don’t forget to provide family birthdays ! Board games, jigsaws, cooking making jellies, cakes, helping with dinner/tea etc.

Non smoking house.

Look forward to hearing from you and thank you for your interest.