By Leonie Brolly
Childminding is a role that changes on a daily basis, no two days are the same and you never know what each morning brings. Its part of the reason I loved childminding so much.
The shift in the seasons adds another layer of change to what a day as a childminder can look like, particularly when those sunny days and afternoons in the garden are becoming less, and colder, wetter days are becoming more regular.
There were many mornings when I woke up to rain on the window and thought “ How am I going to pass the day with the children today?”. I’d find myself mentally counting how many times I’d be bundling little ones in and out of the car for school runs, and how many times shoes and coats would go on and off.
But as always, once you saw their little faces arriving, kicking off their shoes, while telling you about a little piece of news they had from the previous evening, the weather outside seemed irrelevant.
Winter is always a season that requires a little extra patience, a lot of flexibility, and a good sense of humour.
One of the things I loved most about childminding was seeing how adaptable children are. They can find fun in any situation or setting. With the colder weather, we naturally spent more time indoors, enjoying crafts, stories, building, baking, and imaginative play. It often turned out to be a welcome change for the children. It did take a bit more forward planning, but that preparation always made the day more enjoyable, not just for them, but for me too.
Whenever we spotted even the smallest break in the rain, the children would have coats zipped, shoelaces tied, and out we would go. Even a few minutes of fresh air felt refreshing, and those spontaneous outdoor moments often became the best memories of the day. Winter taught me to take opportunities as they came.
Childminders are experts at quick thinking, problem solving, and multitasking. With a little pre-planning and some flexibility in their routine, they can handle changes with ease. So, when winter brings its challenges, even the chilliest, wettest days can be turned into bright, fun, and memorable experiences for the children.