Ewe and Me Childcare
About Me
With years of experience in the industry, I understand the importance of providing quality child care. I offer many services, all customizable for your personal needs. Please browse the services below, and contact me with any questions you may have.
I am a mum, partner, childminder and former Early Years Teacher with over 18 years of educating children between the ages of 2-5 years. I am passionate about Early Years and believe it's an absolute privilege and pleasure to facilitate their development and learn life skills that will help them in later years within a school environment. My classroom is now from within my home and wherever we choose to take it. I tailor the EYFS curriculum exactly to children's needs and specific interests each day whilst balancing a routine which is similar to that of a reception class.
I have looked after children for over 26 years since becoming a mum, working in a day nursery, working within a school based nursery class, working within a reception class and also have experience of working within both Key Stage 1 and 2.
Experience
Excellent knowledge of the Early Years Statutory Framework
Excellent knowledge of the Development Matters document
Helping children to make fantastic progress from their starting point
Forming strong bonds with the children in my care
Forming strong partnerships with parents/carers
Planning and organising activities and excursions based on children's individual interests
Providing daily updates to parents/carers using WhatsApp about their child's time in my care
Completing starting points, detailed individual learning journey profiles, next step reports, 2 year progress checks and transition reports
Keeping up to date with relevant training and legislative changes
Qualifications
Enhanced certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service
Safeguarding Children Qualification through Health and Safety Solutions
Safeguarding Children and Designated Lead through Childminding UK
Prevent Duty and Funamental British Values Online Training
Kcsie (Keeping Children Safe In Education)
Paediatric First Aid Qualification through Bury Business Solutions
BA Combined Hons Advanced Early Years and Education and English Literature
Professional Graduate Certificate in Education
Early Years Teacher Status
Food Hygiene
Enhancing Practice with Hygge
Cultural Capital
Engaging and Supporting Boys to Reach Full Potential
Experience of working with children who...
Have dietary requirements
Have food allergies
Have medical conditions
Have speech and language difficulties
Do not speak English as their first language (EAL)
Have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Are Looked After Children
Have behavioural concerns
Have social and emotional needs
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Highly experienced
Ofsted Registered
Childminder and former Early Years Teacher
Mission Statement
Children play, learn and grow in a home from home environment which has been carefully planned to mirror both home and future learning environments.
Parents/Carers are welcomed into my setting with a shared understanding of how best to support their children in the most precious and critical years of their lifetime.
Welcome to Ewe and Me Childcare... My name is Emma Norton and I am based in Bury, Greater Manchester. I am an Ofsted Registered Childminder and am opening my home in March 2024 after being an Early Years practitioner for 19 years. I will be providing care for children aged 16mths - 5years within my home where I live with my partner and three amazing children in the Elton area, which sits in a lovely estate overlooking Elton Reservoir and is surrounded with a rich haven of stimulating learning opportunities such as wildlife, birds, deer and cattle with close links to Bury town centre and commuting links. After working within a school environment for many years I have made the decision to begin childminding so I can fulfil the requirements of the Early Years Statutory Framework from the comfort of my own home. This enables children in my care to learn at their own pace and through their individual interests within a loving and relaxed environment, whilst following a rich and varied tailored curriculum.
Each day we will follow a set routine with short spells of carpet time where we will practice the skills and learning behaviours required for further transitions into different settings and becoming school ready. I facilitate their learning using a wide range of resources and my professional experience through the playroom where areas of continuous provision are set up, the garden and lots of educational trips!
A Usual Day
Children learn best when they have the opportunity to to choose their own learning and enquiries through play when free choice of activities and experiences is embraced. Such environments will "support a child's creative and critical thinking, building the Characteristics of Effective Learning" Birth to 5 Matters 2021. Children follow a similar routine each and every day which encourages a reassuring pattern and develops children's abilities to become independent, confident learners. However, our curriculum does often adapt to children's differing interests and needs and we will often change our plans and head off for adventures- one of the reasons that I ask for a set of spare clothing to be kept here. Click here or a list of items to be provided by parents/carers.
Our Usual Day
Morning arrival- settling in for the day, time for hand over discussions with parent/carer, free play
Breakfast- together at the table children will have access to a range of cereals/ toast and juice/water
Playtime- continuous provision with one focused activity linked to our curriculum (Literacy/CLL)
Carpet circle time- songs and rhymes/ stories/ phonics
Playtime- continuous provision with one focused activity linked to our curriculum (Maths)
Lunch Time- Hot meal (see menu)
Story Time
Nap Time (if required)
Playtime- continuous provision
Tea Time- Light meal (see menu)
Playtime- continuous provision
Home Time- Time to discuss our day with parent/carer
Years of Working With Children
I’m a friendly and disciplined Child Care Provider with comprehensive experience taking care of children of all ages. I have a thorough understanding of age-appropriate nutrition for children and have completed Food Allergy and Food Hygiene training delivered through the Food Standards Agency. I guarantee that I’ll care for your children as if they were my own. Contact me today to learn more about my services and qualifications.
Play Time
All resources in the play room are age appropriate, continuously inspected for safety and accessible to all the children. They are changed termly to suit the needs of the curriculum and children's changing needs/interests.
As an Ofsted Registered Childminder and Early Years Teacher, I follow the Early Years curriculum set out by the DFE and Development Matters.
Our curriculum will be shared with you termly and is based around individual interests and/or special events happening, for example upcoming celebrations/ festivals/ new additions to families. Each term's curriculum is flexible and dependent on the needs of the children.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is Everyone's Responsibility. I have been an Early Years practitioner for over 19 years and have a sound knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and the roles of responsibilities in keeping children safe in education. Children learn best when their individual needs are met and they feel happy, safe and secure with positive relationships with adults caring for them. My home and garden have been thoroughly risk assessed and every time we go out on a trip, I perform a written risk assessment and consistently review risks throughout the day. I include the children with this process consistently to develop their own self awareness of keeping safe and independence. I always try to visit new places first with my own family before taking minded children to facilitate this process.
When a family joins Ewe and Me Childcare, they are given a New Starter Pack with all of my comprehensive policies, including my Safeguarding Policy.
I have consistently reviewed and updated my knowledge and understanding of all Safeguarding yearly and Paediatric First Aid training every 3 years.
Parent/Carer Partnership
Every parent knows that one of the hardest, if not the hardest, jobs in the world is being a parent. As an Early Years Teacher I’ve had my share of experience taking care of children, all with very different personalities and whims. I have also had 26 years of experience of being a mum to my four amazing children. The children whom have been in my care both personally and professionally mean the world to me and the strong bond I have with children is evident in the feedback I have received from parents over my carer in teaching. Teaching children important life values while they’re under my care is what I’m most praised for and parents genuinely appreciate the care and respect I have for children I teach. I look forward to developing the same level of trust with new families that join my setting. For more information about what to expect when a family joins Ewe and Me Childcare, please click here
Adventures
Bury is a wonderful town and a lovely place to raise a family- I have lived and raised my family here for the past 16 years.
Ewe and Me Childcare is situated on the outskirts of Bury in the Elton area located by Elton Reservoir. We are ideally situated to benefit from a rich abundance of wildlife and walks where we often see deer, cows and birds.
I have a 5 seater car and am fully insured with full breakdown cover. Every child has a size appropriate car seat and they remain rear facing for as long as possible.
I extend children's learning and development often through trips to museums, libraries, farms, galleries and good old parks to visit ducks and look for signs of seasonal changes! This is part of the EYFS and the Cultural Capital and is one of the reasons I ask for children to be fully ready and have access to changes of clothes/equipment to enable us to experience these opportunities. Please see resources for items to be provided and left at my setting.
Hours and Fees
Opening Hours
April 2024-Currently have spaces available on Monday's and Tuesday's.
Ewe and Me Childcare is open Monday-Friday from 7:30am-5:30pm.
Ewe and Me closes promptly at 5:30, so please arrive earlier than this to allow discussions about your child's day.
We have a set routine each day and also go on trips therefore I ask that children are here before 8:00am and are collected after 4:00pm which means we can maintain our routines and maximise our days to avoid disruption. I understand first hand the importance of flexible childcare and I will always do my very best to accommodate and meet individual families' needs and working patterns.
Ewe and Me Childcare opens for approximately 47 weeks of the year and is usually closed for Bank Holidays, 2 weeks at Christmas, 1 week at Easter and the last 2 weeks of the summer holidays.
Ewe and Me Childcare Fees
-£50 per day
Fees include meals, trips, resources and activities.
Each child receives 2 x 2 hour settling in sessions for free once the contract and relevant paperwork has been completed and a non-refundable deposit has been paid. The deposit is 2 weeks care and is deducted from their first month's fees once the child starts their full days.
Fees are paid monthly and in advance.
There is no charge for my holidays. However if your child does not attend during their contracted hours when Ewe and Me is open, fees are still to be paid.
Sickness Policy.
If in the unfortunate situation that your child is poorly and cannot attend, fees are still to be paid.
If myself or my own children are poorly and the setting needs to close you will be informed as soon as possible and families will not be charged for those days. Refunds will be issued on the following month's invoice.
Funded Places and Childcare Vouchers
I offer funded places for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.
Please see options which are available to you for your childcare through the Government's Childcare Choices.