Open-Air Playing & Learning in Ben-Rhydding

Our Daily Routines at Julie’s House in Ilkley

Find out exactly what your child will get up to

Our busy days are full of play; supporting each child to follow their interests, to explore and learn, to enjoy exciting adventures and to have lots of fun. 

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If you have any questions for the team, please contact us.

We spend our days in the setting involved in a range of play opportunities

Our environment is carefully planned to meet the needs of young children, with a wide range of resources which are freely available in a workshop inspired environment, set up as activities of interest or quickly to hand if the direction of play means they are helpful and relevant.



These learning opportunities are planned and based upon our knowledge of individual children’s patterns of learning, and the current interests and curiosities they have shown us, both in the setting and at home. 

Curriculum

Practitioners are always with the children and vary their direct involvement. 

At times we will stand back and observe, this allows the children to very much direct their own play and follow their interests, on occasions practitioners will see an opportunity to enhance their play and learning, perhaps by adding some interesting resource or asking an exploratory question which may encourage their curiosity.


At other times the practitioners will be more directly involved, suggesting or even leading play, which might, for example be coordinating some music or singing, or providing some sensory messy activity and demonstrating options for further exploration. 

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“The childminders have an excellent understanding of what the children know and can do. They provide an exceptional range of high-quality learning experiences for children, both inside and outdoors. Children are highly motivated, eager to explore and develop a real thirst for learning”

Ofsted

We provide regular outings within the local community and sometimes a bit further afield. 

These adventures are designed to provide a range of learning opportunities and experiences for the children, extending their interests in different, exciting and interesting environments.


During these outings we regularly meet up with other childminders and children, supporting the children to experiencing being in and building relationships in a larger, less familiar group.

Many of our adventures extend our outdoor ethos and are designed to ensure that children experience the natural world first hand. 

We hire the local scout hut in the woods weekly where we are able to use a large hall space and lots of outdoor and woodland facilities. We regularly visit the local woodlands and spend long periods there playing and exploring. Both Julie and Fran have completed Forest School Level 3 training. We have annual membership for local attractions such as Bolton Abbey, Harlow Carr and Harewood house.


We also visit local facilities such as the library, local cafes or shops for specific purposes (buying ingredients for a recipe), garden centre to buy bulbs etc - all aimed at building the child’s confidence, skills and sense of belonging within their local community. 

  • Sleeping

    We discuss regularly with families the sleep practices and routines which they have established and prefer for their child. As an outdoor setting the majority of children also sleep outdoors and we have a wide range of equipment to support this, ensuring that each child receives a comfortable and relaxing experience for their daytime rest periods. 

  • School Walks

    As a setting we provide wrap around care for two local schools – Ashlands and Sacred Heart Primary schools. How often drop off and pick-up walks to schools are required is very variable, depending upon the needs of families. 


    Sometimes the younger children come along, and other times they remain at the setting with one of the practitioners. 


    The walk to school offers many opportunities, we do sometimes have to go in poor weather, but other times it is lovely, and we are able to play on the field or even have BBQ for tea on the way home. We make lots of attempts to vary the walk up and keep it fun. It is a time for noticing the seasons, the nature around us, for chatting and playing word games and for building up physical stamina.