Childminders’ musical picnic
Warwickshire childminders celebrated quality home-based care with two picnic and music events last week at St Nicholas Park in Warwick and Coombe Abbey Park near Coventry.
The events promoted the National Childminding Association’s annual National Childminding Week 2010, which ran from Saturday 12 June to Saturday 19 June. This year’s theme was “reaching the right notes” and childminders, nannies and other home-based childcarers around the country used music creatively to mark the special week.
Over 30 childminders and almost 100 children joined event organisers Marion Childs and Louise Hardwick from Warwickshire County Council’s Early Years Team at the events. Judy Brulo from the County Music Service came along to both events and led an interactive music session to entertain the children.
The music session included a range of musical rhymes, songs and activities suited to babies and children aged 6 months to 4 yrs based around pulse and rhythm. Judy brought along lots of props such as puppets and coloured scarves to spark their imaginations.
Marion Childs, Childminding Network Co-ordinator said: “The children thoroughly enjoyed their day in such an enriched outdoor learning environment. They actively took part in learning new songs and were fascinated with Judy’s violin playing.
“It was wonderful that a few mothers were also able to join us with their children. The event was a great success and I received lots of thanks from the specialist childminders and the children who took part.”
Warwickshire County Councillor Heather Timms, portfolio holder for children, young people and families said: “These events were a lovely way to raise the profile of childminding and acknowledge the contribution these carers make to family life.”