Request Callback
020 7870 1044

Lockdown Activity Ideas

January 29, 2021 | Leave a Comment

At the beginning of lockdown I saw a number of post about lockdown activity ideas and more recently these seem to be less abundant. So, I though now would be a good time to share some fresh ideas for activities using items you will most likely already have at home or are easy to come by. Hopefully you will find something here that you, and your children, have not seen before and will enjoy having a go at something new.

  • Number cards and pegs – This is a very simple idea and easy to adapt for children of differing ages stages of development. Simply cut out some card in to the shape of numbers and ask the children to attach the corresponding number of pegs to each of the cards. Aside from the obvious mathematical element of this activity the children will also be developing fine motor control by using their fingers to open the pegs.
    This activity can be easily adjusted in to a shape or colour matching activity by cutting the card in to shapes rather than numbers and by using different coloured card. You can draw the different shape on to the pegs or apply some colour to them for the children to match them to the appropriate card colours/shapes.
  • Dinosaur Island – Using a tray and some brown parcel paper you can easily create a fun playground for any dinosaur! Simply cover the tray with some parcel paper and then, to make some trees, roll some of the paper up in to long tubes. Make some small cuts around the bottom of the rolls so they can be folded outwards and stuck to the paper covered tray with some sticky tape. Then make some larger cuts in the other end of the roll, to around half way down the tube and let the strands of paper fall to create the branches of a tree. The dinosaur playground can be added to with some stones form outside as rocks, some tin foil for a lake.
  • Threading Cheerios – This is a great activity for developing hand-eye coordination and is really easy to set up. All you need is some playdough or plasticine, a few strands of uncooked spaghetti and some Cheerios breakfast cereal. Simply push the spaghetti strands in to the playdough/plasticine so they are sticking upright and ask your child to thread the Cheerios on to the spaghetti. You can then extend the activity by creating repeating patterns with the different coloured Cheerios.
  • Listening/looking walk – It is so important to get outside and get some fresh air and this is a great opportunity to help your child to tune in to their environment. Listen/look out for different things on your walks, you could even make a list of different things to look/listen for to tick off. Some ideas are, a bus, a tree with brown leaves, a tree with green leaves, a bird singing, a red car, an aeroplane, white flowers, a worm, a squirrel.
  • Milk and food colouring experiment – this is a really good activity to get children to predict what they think will happen. You will need some milk, 3 or 4 different colours of liquid food colouring and some washing up liquid. Pour some milk in to a deep oven tray, it doesn’t need to be too deep, then choose one of the colours of food colouring and add a few drops on to the surface of the milk and observe what happens. Encourage your child to describe what is happening. Repeat this with each of the different colours asking your child what they think will happen. Once each of the colours of food colouring have been added introduce a few drops of washing up liquid and see what happens!!
  • Drawing with cars – does you child love cars and all things with wheels? You can use this activity to spark their interest in mark making. Find some of their favourite cars/vehicles and use some sticky tape to attach felt tip pens or pencils on to the car so that when they run the car over some paper the pen/pencil will leave a mark.
  • Painting the garden with water – this is another easy mark making activity that is great for dry days. Fill up a small bucket with some water and provide your child with some paint brushes of different sizes. They can paint the water on to the fence, the ground or the shed and the marks they make will simply disappear as they dry.
  • Bubble snakes – This is an activity best done outside. You will need a small, empty plastic bottle, an old child’s sock, an elastic band and some washing up liquid. Cut the bottom off of the plastic bottle, slide the sock over the hole you have created and secure it in place with the elastic band. Mix some washing up liquid with a small amount of water and dip the sock covered end of the bottle in to the mixture. Blow in to the bottle and watch your bubble snake appear!

Harmony at Home Limited. All Rights Reserved, 2020

The Importance of Outdoor Play for Children

December 20, 2020 | Leave a Comment

Awareness of the importance of children spending time outdoors seems to have grown considerably in recent years. A phrase I often heard when working in nurseries was ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing’. So why is spending time outside so important for children and their development? Below are just some of the ways an outdoor environment can support children’s well being and their learning and development.

Spending time in the outdoors can support children to;

  • Develop social skills – for some children a busy indoor environment with lots of furniture, bright colours and activities on offer can feel very overwhelming and lead to them not engaging as well. Getting outside, in some space can help them to feel more comfortable to join in and interact with other children and adults. Later on, the experience can be drawn upon to encourage communication about their experiences.
  • Understand risk – when outside children are often able to take part in larger scale activities than they can indoors. Construction activities with large cardboard boxes or with logs/branches, found in the woods, allow children to learn about their own capabilities and will help to foster a mindset in children where they want to ‘have a go’.
  • Develop independence – the extra space that comes with spending time outdoors gives children a sense of freedom to make discoveries for themselves. They feel more free to develop their own ideas and create games with other children. I have witnessed this many times when working with a family I used to nanny for. We would often visit the local park where the older child would always play football with some friends from school and the younger child would like to play on the equipment. The younger child would always seem to find a new child to play with every time we visited the park and before long they would have developed their own game – which only they knew the rules of. Sometimes it would involve finding some twigs on the floor and laying them out in order or it may be a little obstacle course they made up but whatever it was they were always smiling, until it was time to leave!
  • Appreciate nature – Being outside and experiencing nature, animals, the weather, etc. helps children to develop their understanding of things such as habitats and lifecycles, how the weather can affect the environment (puddles, mud, slippery surfaces on wet days, hard, dry ground when there has been hot dry days), the differences between what they can see, hear and smell during the four different seasons … and so much more!
  • Develop physical skills – physical development is one of the three prime areas of learning identified in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Being in a large outdoor space allows children to move in ways they often cannot indoors, giving them the opportunity to develop their use of different muscles. They can run with their arms outstretched flapping like wings, they can roll down a hill or hang from a climbing frame. Children who are given the opportunity to master control of making large movements will often find it easier to master the skills needed for smaller movements such as those needed for writing.

What are you waiting for? Find some appropriate clothing and get out and enjoy experiencing the great outdoors with your children!

Harmony at Home Limited. All Rights Reserved, 2020

 

Live in Nannies and Live out Nannies

November 4, 2017 | Leave a Comment

What is the difference between a Live in Nanny and Live out Nanny?

When it comes to hiring a Nanny to help you care for your children, it can be difficult to know what you are looking for exactly. There are lots of questions that you have to think about and consider.

Do you want someone to work on a full time or part time basis? Is this going to be a permanent or temporary placement? What will their role include exactly? And not forgetting one of the most important questions, are you looking for a live in or live out Nanny?

Before you decide what the best option for you and your family is, it is important to know the difference between a live in and live out nanny so you can find the childcare solution.

So, what is the difference?

What is a Live In Nanny?

As the term suggests, a live in Nanny is someone who lives with you and your family in your home on a full-time basis. They would usually be expected to work between 11 – 12hours per day, Monday – Friday, with the occasional evening babysitting, 1 or 2 times a week.

When it comes to the cost of having a live-in nanny, the wage they would be paid would tends to be less than that of a live out nanny. This is because their board and lodging would be included. If hiring a live in nanny, you would be expected to be able to provide some sort of living accommodation for them. This may be in the shape of their own bedroom and bathroom, or in some cases a shared bathroom with the children in the home, or, separate living accommodation offsite but still close to the family home. Some families are able to offer an outbuilding or converted space solely for the nanny.

A special relationship is often built up between the family and the nanny. Even though many consider their live in nanny as a member of the family, it is important to remember that they may need their own time and privacy.

Live in nannies are able to provide care to your children on a sole charge or shared basis, and may have professional Nanny Qualifications such as a Norland Diploma.

Role and Responsibilities of a Live in Nanny:

It is extremely important to agree and set out the roles and responsibilities of a live in nanny in their contract prior to employment. They should be aware of their daily duties and what is expected of them.

The primary role of a live in nanny is to care for and look after your children, taking care of their needs. A live in nanny is also able to take on all additional nursery duties.

Main roles and responsibilities include:

  • Keeping bedrooms tidy
  • Bathing and dressing the children
  • Maintaining play areas – Cleaning and tidying away toys
  • Prepare and cooking meals for the children – these should be healthy and nutritious
  • Do the children’s washing and ironing
  • Maintain the general tidiness of the home.
  • May help with homework
  • Organising social events for the children

A nanny is not a housekeeper and is not there to clean the house or perform tasks such as washing and ironing. If you are looking for someone who is able to carry out these tasks, a nanny housekeeper would be ideal.

Advantages of hiring a Live in nanny:

There are many benefits of hiring a live in nanny. Consider:

  • Flexibility Guaranteed – A live in nanny can offer the flexibility that a daily or live out nanny may not be able to. If necessary and agreed, they can start early and finish late. This is especially beneficial if you are working parents and can give you the reassurance that you need, knowing that childcare is covered if you should work late unexpectedly or work irregular shift patterns.
  • Gain a member of the family – A live in nanny is more than likely to build up a relationship with you and your family. Offering you loyalty, security and a great level of care.
  • Gets to know your family’s needs.
  • Many will take on light housekeeper duties – A live in nanny will take on housekeeping tasks relating to the children. For example, doing the children’s washing and tidying their bedrooms.
  • Can be more affordable.
  • Limits the possibility that they will be late for work
  • Opens up the search – As accommodation is covered, it gives you the opportunity to open up your search across the country and even internationally.
  • Lasting bonds and special relationships are built up and established.

What is a Live Out Nanny?

A live out nanny, also known as daily nanny, is either employed on a part time or full time basis. On average, they will work up to 10 hours per day, Monday to Friday. Babysitting and additional care will need to be arranged and added on to their agreed number of hours.

The main difference to a live in nanny, is that a live out nanny will travel to and from the family home each day to start work and finish work at an agreed time.

Role and Responsibilities of a Live out Nanny:

A daily live out nanny can be in sole charge of your children and perform nursery duties, just as a live in Nanny would.

Main duties include:

  • Maintaining and keeping areas clean and tidy
  • Organising children’s clothes and belongings
  • Bathing and dressing the children
  • Preparing healthy nutritious meals
  • Organise social events

Advantages of hiring a Live out nanny:

  • A professional, friendly relationship between you and the nanny can be maintained.
  • You don’t have to worry about providing accommodation for the nanny.
  • Usually a live out nanny is local to the area you live in, thus meaning they are familiar with the community and suitable areas to take your children.

Both child care options are good and will benefit you and your family in different ways. The important thing to remember is to find what works for you and your family.

Harmony at Home Nanny Agency can help find the perfect childcare solution for you. To register and begin your search below.

Harmony at Home Limited. All Rights Reserved, 2017

What all nannies and employers need to know about the SNOW!

January 11, 2017 | Leave a Comment

Today the BBC indicated that there may well adverse weather conditions. This may mean the chance of snow, and for some people, this can be a worry and a concern and can cause some serious problems – especially for parents and nannies.

Many people think of snow as a ‘Winter Wonderland’; a chance to build snowmen, have snow ball fights and make snow angels. However, for parents and nannies, this can mean having to take time off work, and risk the chance of missing out on pay! This article will examine the challenges that some parents have to face when it comes to snow and employment as a nanny, or nanny employer.

One of the most important things to remember is to only drive in the snow if the journey is crucial! Do not drive unless you have to – check the Met Office website and weather websites for snow warnings and advice. Be sure to call your employer and let them know that it’s unsafe for you to travel, don’t risk having an accident.

When it comes to snow, ice and adverse weather conditions, not only getting to work can be the problem. Most employees will have families and will have the added complication of making childcare arrangements for children with closed schools and nurseries. This tends to be given at short notice and can cause complications for the employer. They may also not be able to rely on a relative or another care giver thus meaning, employees not being able to attend their place of work.

Due to this, employees are entitled to take off a reasonable amount of time in order to take the necessary action due to the unexpected disruption of the snow. Strictly speaking, this would result in unpaid leave. However, some employers may decide not to take this approach and offer a good will payment. This is dependent on your employer and your relationship you have with them.

What about being a nanny or a child carer? What do you do then? Being a nanny or a child carer also gives you the opportunity to stay over at the family home, if the weather conditions are severe and you don’t think you would be able to make it home again after work, then consider the possibility of staying over.

When the snow comes, it undoubtedly brings with it problems. Parents will be trying to source emergency childcare, as the may otherwise miss out on pay. What exactly can be done? Our best advice is to ensure you have a backup plan, and to speak to your employer in advance, and make sure you understand the protocol for adverse weather.

If you do have to take a few snow days we recommend that you use the opportunity to enjoy a few days at home, perhaps undertake a spring clean or fill a box for the charity shop. There are lots of rainy day ideas to be found here.

Finally, please remember to ensure you keep safe and warm in the snow. The impacts of the cold weather are worse for young children, babies and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

If you know or look after someone you may be susceptible to the effects of this cold weather period, please help make sure that they stay warm and well

  • Stay tuned in to weather forecasts
  • Check and maintain daytime room temperatures of 21C
  • Check bedroom night time temperatures and maintain it at 18C or warmer
  • Keep warm and active and if you must go out dress warmly and wear non-slip shoes.

Written by Emily Martin for Harmony at Home Limited. All Rights Reserved, 2017

nanny agency london

Harmony at Home