The Only Way to Thrive Is to THRIVE together
Guest post by Alison Hanson – Childminder Mentor from Warwickshire
As a mentor, I have had the privilege of meeting so many inspiring childminders, each with their own circumstances and stories to tell; but I have found one common theme among them all: self-sacrifice.
Whether modifying our homes and compromising our living spaces; working long hours plus evenings filled with paperwork, study and training; or juggling our own children and the unique challenges that brings, to name a few examples.
The lengths we go to are truly indicative of the heart and soul that we invest in our practice. And yet, a job that intertwines so intensely with our personal lives can often leave childminders vulnerable to burnout, especially in this post-pandemic world where the pressures are arguably greater than ever.
So how do we prioritise our day-to-day wellbeing when there’s barely time to stop for a toilet break!?
Well, I believe we start by acknowledging the value of practitioner wellbeing and the impact of this on children's experiences. We cannot work in a wellbeing deficit and expect to continue producing the best outcomes for children.
The only way to thrive is to thrive TOGETHER!
Easier said than done, and I certainly don't have all the answers. However, below are a few reflection points that I hope may go some way to beginning this much-needed conversation across the industry.
THRIVE - T.H.R.I.V.E
Let's condense this mini-reflection into a handy acronym: THRIVE.
The following reflection points are drawn from my own personal experiences. They by no means reflect the thoughts and feelings of all practitioners, but if these reflection points help just one childminder out there, it's worth sharing.
T - Time
Ok, I heard you laugh. What time!?
Well, in any daily routine, there needs to be peaks and troughs; time to be busy and time to pause.
Maybe you’re lucky enough to have all the children napping at the same time. Or maybe you schedule a 'calm or rest time'. Children need moments of rest during the day, and so do we!
Take these moments to prioritise a little bit of self-care - a breathing exercise, listening to relaxation music, or completing a mindfulness colouring for example.
The children could choose to do the same, or they could choose their own calming activity. You could even create a 'mindfulness lucky dip' or 'calm box', containing plenty of ready-made ideas!
When we model how to rest, how to regulate ourselves, and how to schedule self-care, we are sending a powerful message to the generation of the future.
H - Healthy Habits
In short, do we practise what we preach?
Are you adopting simple healthy habits, such as drinking plenty of water throughout the day, sleep, technology-free time, daily fresh air? These are things that we constantly promote for our children.
Reflect: are you prioritising these things for yourself?
R - Routine
There really is no need to re-invent the wheel every day. Learning opportunities embedded into daily routines provide ready-made activities.
During periods when our workload is high, these predictable moments in our day can help to provide structure and value with little pre-planning required.
Whether it's a routine story-mat time, a crossing-the-road song on the school run, or a daily visit to the vegetable patch to document growth and wildlife.
Rhythms and routines support us all (adults and children alike) to regulate ourselves and to manage transitions.
So reflect upon whether your daily routines are promoting the best outcomes for your childminding community... and that includes you!
I - I Can Say ‘No’
Saying 'no' is often not in a childminder's nature.
It is so right that we want to support and accommodate families to the fullest, but it's important to remember our own limitations and the statutory requirement to ensure that needs are met for all children in our care (page 32, Statutory Framework for The Early Years Foundation Stage, September 2023).
If you're weighing up whether to take on that school pick-up, or those extra summer attendees, set some realistic parameters that prioritise outcomes for each individual child, as well as your own sanity. Your personal parameters may not be the same as the childminder down the road, and that's ok.
This rule also applies to paperwork and training. It's not about doing 'less', but about saying ‘yes’ to the things that truly add value to your setting.
If you're the type of person who is constantly striving to go the extra mile - great! So, make sure that time investment is the most effective it can be. Administration should enrich you and make you feel excited, prepared, accomplished and/or satisfied. Reflect upon your workload and avoid paperwork for paperwork's sake.
V - Voice
Support networks are so important. Despite being the best-kept secret in the early years industry, we all need fellow practitioners who will hear us and understand us. Whether it's a fellow childminder, a mentor, or contacts at your local Stronger Practice Hub; who do you turn to for support or to offload?
With regard to the bigger picture, childminders have been a small voice in the sector for far too long. If you can, take opportunities to shout loud about your practice!
Take advantage of online networks provided by your local authority (LA); meet others and fly the flag for childminders as progressive and inspiring early years practitioners. Share your strengths, engage with your LA and make sure they know what a fantastic job you're doing.
Make use of your Stronger Practice Hub and embrace the technologies that are allowing childminders to connect farther and wider than ever before.
E - EnJOY
Without joy, what have we got?
If you've lost what you enjoy about childminding, think back to the values that brought you here in the first place. Surround yourself with people who share and feed your values. Sharing practice can be a powerful way of re-aligning your purpose and vision.
If you're lacking inspiration, why not reach out to a local network for inspiration and ideas? Also, reflect on your own passions and strengths; what are the things that bring YOU joy?
Perhaps you have a passion for art, perhaps you play an instrument, perhaps you love to cook (…I envy you), perhaps you are interested in a particular sport or love gardening?
Make sure you're airing and sharing your joys! Utilise those things to full effect; they make you unique, and the uniqueness of each setting is such a special aspect of our industry.
Shared with admiration for you all!
Your fellow childminder, Alison (Ally's House Childcare)
About the Author: Alison Hanson
Alison's passion for early years education began 12 years ago in her role as a Theatre Outreach Practitioner, utilising the arts to support early years settings to deliver creative curriculum content.
After a meandering journey through the sector, Alison is now proud to call herself an Ofsted Outstanding Childminder, based in Warwickshire, as well as a Childminder Mentor on the DfE's Covid Recovery Programme.
"Opening Ally's House Childcare has been the best career move I have ever made. Childminding allows me to have real ownership of my pedagogy, to create meaningful relationships with families, and to provide bespoke care in a way that has never been possible before."