Follow Alex's Stoty to Understand Children's Emotions During Transitions
Alex felt a little nervous. Tomorrow was his first day at school, and he didn’t know what to expect. He loved his childminder and his friends at her setting, and the thought of leaving made him feel sad.
The day before, his childminder gave him a special pocket hug. “This is to remind you,” she said, “that you are strong, brave, and amazing''. Keep it in your pocket, and remember you can do it!” Alex held the tiny hug close and felt a little braver, even though he still had butterflies in his tummy.
The next morning, Alex’s mum and dad walked him to school. He felt unsure and worrying thoughts crept into his mind. What if the children don’t like me? What if the teachers are too busy to notice me? What if I don’t have anyone to play with?
But Alex reached into his pocket. There was his pocket hug, soft and comforting. He remembered what his childminder and parents said: “Be brave! You are amazing! You’ve got this!” Alex took a deep breath and felt a little courage grow inside him.
Once inside the classroom, Alex started to feel curious. The room was full of toys and colourful books. He began to play with building blocks, imagining towers and castles. Then he found the dinosaurs and felt excited as he made them roar and march around.
Storytime came next. The teacher read a story about space, and Alex felt fascinated. He listened carefully, learning the names of planets, imagining himself floating among the stars. He felt proud of remembering the planets and loved sharing what he knew.
Soon, Alex made two new friends, Mia and Arthur. They laughed and played together all morning, sharing blocks and dinosaurs. Alex felt happy and included, and even a little proud that he had joined in so confidently.
At the end of the day, Alex gave his friends a hug and waved goodbye to his teacher. He felt grateful and excited he couldn’t wait to come back tomorrow! The teacher told him he could bring a book from home, and Alex already knew which one he would choose.
When mum and dad picked him up, Alex ran to them, full of joy. He told them all about his day the games, the story about space, and the new friends he had made. By the time he reached home, Alex felt relaxed, safe, and happy, ready to dream about all the adventures that tomorrow would bring.
Pedagogy in Childminding: Turning Everyday Care into Extraordinary Learning
Pedagogy is the art and science of supporting children’s learning and development. In a childminding setting, it goes beyond basic careit shapes every interaction, activity, and environment we provide. Simply put, pedagogy is about how children learn, how we respond to their needs, and how we create experiences that spark curiosity, confidence, and independence.
What Pedagogy Includes
Pedagogy encompasses observation, planning, environment design, interaction, and reflection. Observing children helps us understand their interests, strengths, and areas for support. Thoughtful planning ensures activities are purposeful, promoting communication, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and social skills. Environments act as a “third teacher,” with resources and spaces that encourage exploration and creativity. And of course, strong relationships underpin everything children thrive when they feel safe, supported, and heard.
Why Pedagogy Matters for Children
Effective pedagogy helps children develop life skills. Through play-based, intentional experiences, they learn to manage emotions, communicate, solve problems, and build resilience. They gain confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Benefits for Childminders
Pedagogy benefits practitioners too. Self-reflection is a powerful tool: by looking back at what worked and what didn’t, childminders can refine their approach and improve outcomes. Linking pedagogy to CPD keeps skills sharp, introduces new strategies, and boosts professional confidence. Importantly, pedagogy is flexible it evolves as children grow and as the setting changes.
Linking to the 3 I’s: Intent, Implementation, Impact
Intent: What do we want children to learn or achieve?
Implementation: How do we make this happen through activities, play, and routines?
Impact: What difference does it make? Reflection shows what works and informs improvements.
Ultimately, pedagogy transforms everyday childminding into extraordinary learning experiences. By embracing reflective, intentional practice, childminders empower children, elevate their own professional skills, and make every day in their setting meaningful and impactful.
Developing Your Own Pedagogy in a Childminding Setting
Creating your own pedagogy as a childminder means shaping how you support children’s learning and development in a way that reflects your values, skills, and the unique needs of the children in your care. It’s about being intentional in every interaction, activity, and environment you provide, turning everyday care into purposeful learning experiences.
Start with Observation and Reflection
Observation is the cornerstone of developing effective pedagogy. Spend time watching how children explore, communicate, and solve problems. Take notes on their interests, strengths, and areas where they may need more support. Reflection is equally important, ask yourself what worked well, what didn’t, and why. Self-reflection helps refine your approach and ensures your pedagogy evolves alongside the children and the setting.
Link to the EYFS and Best Practice
Your pedagogy should align with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) principles, which emphasise play-based learning, personal development, and well-being. Use the EYFS to guide your intent, ensuring your activities promote key skills like communication, social interaction, emotional regulation, and independence. Keeping up with CPD and research allows you to adopt new strategies and improve your practice continuously.
Create a Flexible and Adaptable Approach
Good pedagogy is never fixed. It must adapt to reflect changes within your setting, such as new children, shifting routines, or emerging interests. Being flexible allows you to respond effectively to each child, offering experiences that are both meaningful and engaging.
Plan, Implement, and Evaluate
Developing pedagogy involves careful planning, intentional implementation, and ongoing evaluation. Plan activities with clear learning goals, implement them thoughtfully, and observe the impact on children’s development. Use these observations to refine your approach, ensuring every experience contributes positively to children’s growth.
Celebrate the Benefits
When you develop your own pedagogy, children benefit from personalized, engaging, and meaningful learning. At the same time, you grow professionally, becoming more reflective, confident, and skilled. Developing your pedagogy transforms your childminding practice into a dynamic, professional, and impactful experience for everyone involved.