contact webmaster

Acknowledgement Liz Hodgman

Here are just a few ideas:

Ask the children what they think of the service you provide
This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the ages and stages of development of the children that you mind.

A Questionnaire
You might like to give older, school aged children a questionnaire to complete Download Questionnaire
They may need support from you or their parents. From the feedback we have received from Childminders who have used the children’s questionnaire, the children have really enjoyed the activity. It helped them to feel valued and their ideas and feelings respected. It has also provided the children with an opportunity to air issues that they had not been able to vocalise.

Pictures
Provide them with paper and drawing materials and ask them to do a picture of what they like about your setting.

Let the children take photographs
Provide the children with a digital camera and ask them to take photographs of all the things they like about your home, your resources and activities. Print off the pictures and put them in a display (maybe a scrapbook) record under each photograph the comments that the children made as they were taking the photographs. Share the display with the parents and encourage the children to explain why they took the photographs.

Suggestion Box
Set up a suggestions box. Involve the children in decorating a shoe box and poster. Explain to them that whenever they have an idea of something they would like to do, an activity, new toy, outing etc they can write it down (or ask you to do it for them) and pop it in the box.

Show photographs you have taken
Take photographs of the different activities that you do on a regular basis and the places that you visit, Children’s Centres, Childminder Drop-Ins, Toddler Groups, park, library etc. Then share them with the children and ask them to point out to you which ones they like and ask them why.

Observe children at play
If children are unable to vocalise their thoughts then you can discover the likes and dislikes of the children by recording a series of observations.

‘Observe the strategies young babies use to demonstrate their likes and dislikes’ (A Healthy Child, Healthy Choices)

It is then important that you use the information that the children have given you to implement changes in your practice and in the resources, activities and  outings that you provide.

The Early Years Foundation Stage states ‘ As well as leading activities and encouraging child-led activities , you should support and extend all children’s development and learning by being an active listener and joining in and intervening when appropriate.’

Let the Children decide what they want to do
Ask the children what activities they would like to do on 23rd November. You could provide them with a choice of activities and outings. Younger children might find it easier to be given photographs to choose from, so this may require advanced planning on your part.

Give the children  the opportunity to make as many decisions during the day as possible. Ask them to help you plan the days’ menu in advance so they can choose the meals and snacks. This may involve the children in learning about how to compromise, unless you are willing to cook 5 or 6 different meals!  For younger children and toddlers it could be choosing which book to share with you or what songs to sing.

This links to the Birth to three matters framework  ‘Provide opportunities for babies to make choices; e.g. which spoon to choose, which bib to wear, the size of the paintbrush to use, to go outdoors or stay in.’ (A skilful communicator, Making Meaning)

‘Let children make decisions about how and where to display their paintings or allow them to select which toys to play with or who to sit with.’ (A Strong Child, Me, Myself and I)

Listening to each other
Encourage the children to listen to each other and share. They need to learn to respect the decisions that are made by others.

‘Support children in accepting choices made by other children and adults, even when this limits their own choice.’
(A healthy Child, Healthy Choices)

11Million Takeover Day falls during anti bullying week, so you could link in some discussions and activities with the children about bullying.

More information and ideas can be found on:
www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/Page.asp

Don’t forget to make a record of the activities that you did for 11 Million Takeover Day, share them with the organisation, your parents and at your next Ofsted inspection as this is  ‘making a positive contribution’.

11 Million Takeover Day

The first ever 11 MILLION Takeover Day on 23 November 2007 will be a chance for the
11 million children and young people living in England to take over from adults.

Why don’t you, as a Childminder, use this opportunity to celebrate what you are already doing
in your practice to listen to children and to develop more best practices?

A resource pack with further information can be downloaded from:

www.childrenscommissioner.org/
documents/11%20million%20takeover%20day_laid%20out_v2.pdf

or visit the website
www.11million.org.uk/takeover-day.html

‘At a time when there is so much demonisation of children and young people today, this is a fantastic opportunity for us all to celebrate the importance of children and young people in our society. Whether you run a business, are a politician, work in your local council or in the media, this is a chance to demonstrate your commitment to listening to and recognising the talents and contributions of children and young people. ‘

Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green,
Children’s Commissioner for England