The Eye-Opening Insights: EYFS Providers' Journey to Excellence

Wed 01 Nov 2023

Understanding the OFSTED research: Part 3 - Nurturing the Foundation of Young Minds: Personal, Social, and Emotional Development in Early Education

The concluding part of our series explores the vital realm of personal, social, and emotional development (PSED), emphasizing its significance in shaping children's futures and offering guidance on fostering healthy relationships, emotional intelligence, and self-care.

Kate Wilson

Fri 20 Oct 2023

Understanding the OFSTED research: Part 2 - Physical Development

We analyse in a series of three blog posts OFSTED's Best Start in Life research. In the second installment of our series, we delve into the crucial aspects of physical development in young children, shedding light on the importance of movement, nutrition, and fostering a healthy lifestyle from an early age.

Kate Wilson

Tue 17 Oct 2023

Understanding the OFSTED research: Part 1 - Unlocking the Power of Communication and Language in Early Education

We analyse in a series of three blog posts OFSTED's Best Start in Life research. This first part focuses on Communication and Language. It explores the fascinating realm of cognitive development in early childhood, highlighting its pivotal role in shaping young minds and providing practical insights for parents and educators.

Kate Wilson

Tue 10 Oct 2023

Why do we have fewer children attending nurseries?

Childcare Trends 2022: Insights and Challenges Discover the latest trends and challenges in childcare from the 2022 Childcare and Early Years Survey, revealing shifts in usage patterns, cost concerns, and working moms' experiences.

Kate Wilson

Tue 03 Oct 2023

Big Boost for UK Nurseries: A £204 Million Game Changer? Questions Arise

Do you think £204 million is really enough to revolutionise childcare? Here are our thoughts on the matter.

Kate Wilson

Mon 25 Sep 2023

Embrace Winter: Planning Your Outdoor Play Space

Here are some ways to revamp your nursery's garden this winter.

Kate Wilson

Mon 18 Sep 2023

Registering with Hello Mums - A Step by Step Guide

This blog explains the childcarer's journey from registration to accepting the first job.

Kate Wilson

Tue 11 Jan 2022

The Interview - Everything You Need to Know

Before you take your first job as a Hello Mums childcarer, we will conduct an interview with you. This blog post explains what you can expect from the Interview.

Kate Wilson

Tue 11 Jan 2022

Profile Summary - Everything You Need to Know

First impressions can be tricky, so this blog posts helps you to write a great profile summary about yourself and your achievements.

Kate Wilson

Tue 11 Jan 2022

Profile Photo - Everything You Need to Know

Once you join Hello Mums we will ask you to regularly update your profile photo and this blog explains how to capture the best of you!

Kate Wilson

Tue 11 Jan 2022

Paperwork - Childcare Related References - Everything You Need to Know

When you join Hello Mums you will need to provide us with at least two childcare related references from the UK. In this blog post we explain exactly what we will need.

Kate Wilson

Tue 11 Jan 2022

Paperwork - Valid Proof of Identity - Everything You Need to Know

Find out what is a Valid Proof of Identity and what you need to be able to work in the UK.

Kate Wilson

Tue 11 Jan 2022

Paperwork - Enhanced Clean DBS - Everything You Need to Know

Find out more about what an Enhanced DBS is, how to apply for one and why you should register for the Update Service.

Kate Wilson

Tue 11 Jan 2022

What Paperwork Do You Need to Register with Hello Mums?

To help you understand better the requirements to join Hello Mums, this blog post explains all the paperwork needed in 2022.

Kate Wilson

Tue 11 Jan 2022

The COVID impact on EYFS providers and resultant changes to First Aid advice

This article seeks to provide clear direction to staff working in childcare settings on infection control, first aid and resuscitation in a childcare and educational setting.

Emma Hammett

Wed 21 Apr 2021

Win 50 Bank Staff Hours with Hello Mums

We are giving away 50 hours of free bank staff for your nursery in 2021.

Kate Wilson

Fri 20 Nov 2020

Hello Mums Protocol and COVID-19 Guidelines

This document covers the Hello Mums guidelines we ask all our clients and childcare professionals to follow.

Jeremy Wilson

Thu 21 May 2020

Coronavirus - information for our childcarers, clients and parents

As we work with children both in public and private settings, we wanted to inform you about our advice on the Coronavirus.

Kate Wilson

Tue 17 Mar 2020

5 ways to entertain kids when they can't go outside

Whether you’re stuck at home or on lockdown in a hotel due to the weather or some other reason, here are our 5 ways to entertain kids when they can't go outside.

Kate Wilson

Fri 06 Mar 2020

10 essential products to have at home in case you are on lockdown

We’ve listed 10 of the most essential products for families to always have on hand if you can’t pop to the shops to stock up.

Kate Wilson

Thu 05 Mar 2020

5 Top Tips for Parents: How to Manage the Transition from Nursery to School

Your child’s first day at school is coming. Here are five top tips to help manage your little one’s transition from nursery to school.

Elena Martynova

Wed 19 Feb 2020

Inspiring Nurseries - Events for Nursery Managers

Inspiring Nurseries is a series of informal events (OFSTED Masterclasses) offering nursery managers/owners relevant and developmental training provided by an early years specialist.

Kate Wilson

Thu 30 Jan 2020

11 things you need to know if your child is being bullied

Simon Benn helped more than 1600 children understand how to be happy and what he has learned is that when it comes to being bullied, how the parent responds is one of the most important factors in the determining the outcome and future happiness of the child. So, if your child is being bullied, here are 11 things you need to know as a parent.

Simon Benn

Mon 11 Nov 2019

Open Day - 1st of February, 2020

We are organising our next open day to meet and interview any nursery workers, nurses, managers and professionals wishing to join Hello Mums.

Kate Wilson

Tue 22 Oct 2019

7 Work Life Balance Tips for Busy Working Parents

Achieving a work-life balance can take some effort but it will help you meet the demands of your personal and professional life. It will also allow you to spend more quality time with your family and give you the chance to pass your skills and values on to your kids.

Anita Fernandes

Tue 08 Oct 2019

Homeschooling - is it for me?

We asked a SAHM to tell us about her experience homeschooling her children.

Shannon Whitlock

Sat 31 Aug 2019

Career Progression - from unqualified to nursery manager

Are you thinking of working in a nursery and wondering what your options are? If so, read our post on a career working with young children.

Julia Mallard

Tue 25 Jun 2019

EYFS Activities for Under 2s

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) aims to encourage ‘school readiness’, from 0 – 2 years the focus is on three prime areas of learning: communication and learning, physical development and personal, social and emotional development. This blog post focuses on activities with children under the age of 2.

Kate Wilson

Mon 20 May 2019

Open Day - 28th of September, 2019

We are organising an open day to meet and interview any childcare professionals wishing to join Hello Mums.

Kate Wilson

Wed 15 May 2019

Working in a team effectively

Teamwork is one of the most important aspects of any profession. But when it comes to looking after children, working effectively with other staff members takes on a new level of importance. Children cannot look after themselves, so they require a well run team who work efficiently together to provide good quality care.

Kate Wilson

Tue 14 May 2019

Why your training and development is important?

Hello Mums offers training and continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities which will help you provide the children in your care with the best possible start in your professional life.

Kate Wilson

Fri 10 May 2019

A day in the life of a Hello Mums London nursery worker

We thought you might like to know more about what it’s like to work for Hello Mums in London nurseries, so we spoke to one of our #ChildcareHeroes and asked them about their busy daily routine…

Kate Wilson

Tue 23 Apr 2019

What's happening at nursery today?

We wanted to tell you about a day in the life of a nursery practitioner.

Jennifer McQuillan

Wed 10 Apr 2019

Having another child?!!!!

Once you become a parent, the inevitable question happens ALL the time: are you having another one? We have asked Joanne wingingmamahood to give us her thoughts on the matter.

Joanne from Winging Mamahood

Mon 21 Jan 2019

Exercising with baby songs and rhymes

Here’s a little baby music workout to try at home. It begins with some stretching to warm you up, moves on to weight-bearing for arms and legs, whole body lifts, then some aerobic dancing to see you both happily collapsed on the sofa at the end, feeling well exercised.

Sheena Roberts

Mon 14 Jan 2019

Childcare - Clued Up or Confused?

How do you feel about childcare? Do you feel confident that you know everything you need to? Or do you feel bewildered by all the options and terrified of the costs? This post takes a look at some of the issues you might face and what you can do about them.

Eda from Money for Mummy

Tue 08 Jan 2019

Is a nursery career a good option for a back to work mum?

We look at how does having a child affect your options in returning to work and earning an income, and how will this affect your child and family life?

Jennifer McQuillan

Wed 02 Jan 2019

A Habit, not an Act: The Benefits of Establishing a Morning Routine

An established morning routine sets you up for a successful and productive day with a more positive outlook that can get you through the stresses of the holiday season with your Christmas spirit solidly intact. It’s not brain surgery - establishing a morning routine is really nothing more than altering a few ingrained behaviours.

Daniel Sherwin

Fri 07 Dec 2018

Just when you thought you cracked parenthood

We all have those moments: we finally think we have reached a turning point, only to realise a massive poo storm is on it's way.

Joanne Winging Mammahood

Tue 16 Oct 2018

Parenting Hurdles: Preparing for a Child with a Disability

Even if you are perfectly healthy, there is no way to guarantee that you will have a healthy baby. In fact, in England and Wales, one in every 46 babies are born with a congenital abnormality. As such, it’s always important to prepare for such possibilities.

Ashley from Disabled Parents

Thu 20 Sep 2018

Saying no without feeling the guilt

Whether it’s to your children, a work colleague or fellow parent, saying No can be very difficult and often makes your mum guilt rear its ugly head. You might feel like you’re letting them down or they’ll think less of you. Try out our top tips and start saying No without feeling guilty.

Gemma Hall

Sun 16 Sep 2018

Why work in a nursery?

We collected the pros and cons of working in a nursery to give you a realistic view when making a choice of career.

Jennifer McQuillan

Fri 14 Sep 2018

Back to school blues

September is fast approaching and before we know it, the kids will be back at school.

Jemma Malone

Tue 28 Aug 2018

GOING BACK TO THE (OTHER) DAY JOB

The past few months will feel like they have flown by in a blur of feeding, nappy changes, playing and cuddles. Oh, and probably lots of tea/coffee and cake. You and your baby will have changed so much in this time and you might not have given much thought to returning to work. Before you know it, your maternity leave will be nearly up and you may or may not feel ready for it to end.

Eda from Money for Mummy

Thu 23 Aug 2018

Tips for stress-free holidays with toddlers

When the holiday season is upon you, and you’re finally taking a break from work to have a relaxed time off the usual routine, you might think to yourself: how can I have a stress-free family holiday when I have toddlers? We can help you in the process with 5 tips to enjoy a stress-free holiday with your children.

Joana Teixeira

Mon 30 Jul 2018

Smart Rainy-Day Survival Tips for Parents and Kids

Getting stuck inside on a rainy day can be a bummer for kids. Rainy days are the perfect time for parents to provide interesting, educational online fun for their kids. Here are a few simple suggestions to get you started.

Jenny Wise

Wed 25 Jul 2018

Recording your summer in family photographs

Memories will be made and many of us will record these in photographs that we can look back on in years to come and re-live the long summer days. But how to get the best pictures? So Joana will share some tips to improve your pictures and help you to take the best images of your family over the coming summer.

Helen Bartlett

Tue 17 Jul 2018

How to stay sane as a (single) parent

We asked Pen to gives us her view on parenting and how to stay sane!

Pen from The Single Swan

Wed 25 Apr 2018

Cashless payments are here

A blog article explaining how you can now easily and safely pay your babysitter using your registered payment card rather than using cash.

Kate Wilson

Sat 21 Apr 2018

Average morning with 2 under 5s

We asked Smart Mummy, Lea-Anne, how she copes getting two children under the age of five getting ready in the mornings.

The Smart Mummy

Mon 16 Apr 2018

How Giggle Doctors helped to keep Max smiling during his hospital treatment

We have teamed up with the wonderful charity if Theodora Children's Charity to tell you how a simple laughter can help children in hospital.

Thaiba from Theodora Children's Charity

Mon 09 Apr 2018

The importance of CPD

We have asked Ally from Azilo to tell us more about CPD. In an ever-changing society where policy, procedures and regulations are frequently amended, CPD is becoming a more crucial part of being employed.

Ally from Azilo

Mon 09 Apr 2018

Nutrition at the heart of early years settings

A balanced diet is essential for children in the early years to help them achieve their energy and nutrient requirements, which supports their growth, development and learning - we have asked The Early Start Group to give us their top tips.

The Early Start Group

Tue 03 Apr 2018

Meeting the Challenges of Becoming a Parent with a Disability

If you have a disability, I know you are used to facing challenges. Becoming a parent may involve unique issues for those with disabilities, but with some good planning and well-thought-out strategies, you can go into parenthood with confidence.

Ashley from Disabled Parents

Tue 03 Apr 2018

The Ups and Downs of Being a Parent

Being a parent is a difficult one, in this blog post we take a look at the ups and downs of being a parent.

Nicole from Tales from Mamaville

Mon 26 Mar 2018

Exercising after having a baby

Going back to the gym after having a baby can prove quite difficult. It could be anything from not having childcare to just being too tired to even move. I'm going to tell you my top tips for getting back in shape. 

Natasha Kiddo Adventures

Wed 14 Mar 2018

Dog and toddler life

We asked one of our parents to tell us about her experience having a toddler and a puppy at the same time!

Denise H Wright

Thu 08 Mar 2018

Salmon & Rice with Edamame Beans - feeding hungry boys

Homemade delicious dinner for the whole family - from Yasemin, Mother in London

Yasemin, Mother in London

Wed 28 Feb 2018

Voted Best by YOU!

Hello Mums won London's best babysitter service award for 2017, 2016 and 2014, so it was time we expressed our gratitude for voting for us.

Kate Wilson

Thu 15 Feb 2018

Best Rainy Day Activities For Toddlers

We have asked mum blogger, Rebecca, to give our parents some tips for a rainy day.

All About You Blogger Rebecca

Tue 13 Feb 2018

Veguary Part I. - the beginning

Alice decided to go vegetarian with her 4-year-old daughter for the month of February 2018.

Alice

Mon 05 Feb 2018

A nanny's first day

The first day of having someone looking after your little one is just as important for the nanny as it is for you. We asked Sarah Sophie and Siobhan from Pocket nannies to give us their top tips on a nanny's first day.

Pocket Nannies

Mon 29 Jan 2018

Stop apologising on behalf of your kids.

We were all kids once. Let's try and remember that!

Natasha Kiddo Adventures

Thu 25 Jan 2018

Reputation Management

Reputation in the personable and community-driven service is vital.

Jennifer McQuillan

Thu 18 Jan 2018

Open 51 weeks a year?! How do nurseries manage?

We looked at how nurseries deal with being open 51 weeks a year and having to find the right staffing.

Jennifer McQuillan

Fri 12 Jan 2018

Business sustainability - 30 hours free childcare

We discuss the issue of the 30 hours free childcare from the provider's point of view and where it might lead to in 2018.

Jennifer McQuillan

Tue 21 Nov 2017

The thinking child

The ‘how’ of how we are allowed to think as a child plays a fundamental role in how we think of ourselves and the world around us as we grow up.

Jennifer McQuillan

Sun 29 Oct 2017

Risky play is worth the risk

For children an element of risk in day to day life is important.

Jennifer McQuillan

Sun 10 Sep 2017

Reviewed - 30 hours free childcare

I have always had an issue with the government's idea of 15 or 30 hours of free childcare, for two very simple reasons: it’s not free and it’s not actually 15 hours if you work more than 38 weeks of the year.

Kate Wilson

Sat 12 Aug 2017

Mistakes parents make that cost kids their teeth

You think you’re giving your child all the right foods so why are their teeth full of decay? Dentist Nina Bal explains how ‘healthy snacks’ are rotting our children’s teeth and why it matters later in life.

Fiona Clark

Tue 08 Aug 2017

Four things nurseries need for a strong team

“Teamwork makes the dream work”, as they say and it is especially true in the childcare industry. It creates a happy environment, good working conditions and continuity - the essential combination to having a reputable and sought-after nursery.

Kate Wilson

Tue 18 Jul 2017

Dealing with nursery staff issues

Deciding on the right number of staff is probably the biggest challenge for any nursery owner.

Kate Wilson

Mon 12 Jun 2017

How to find the right nursery for your child

It might sound crazy but with nursery places in London getting harder and harder to find, you need to be on top of it.

Kate Wilson

Thu 04 May 2017

Three simple ways to keep the kids entertained

Easy and inexpensive ways to keep the kids occupied when they can't go outside; three different ideas for different ages.

Dash Tabor

Sat 22 Apr 2017

Encouraging little ones to try new foods

Taste development can be a messy, frustrating, exhausting process. Here are a few of our tried and tested tips to get you started!

Wild Child Kitchen

Thu 09 Mar 2017

London Parents and Childcare Report 2016

After becoming a mum earlier in 2016 I struggled to find a report that would help parents to understand the cost and options when it comes to childcare, so I put together a questionnaire and this report presents my findings.

Kate Wilson

Fri 28 Oct 2016

Understanding Your Child's Drawing

Our guest blogger, Erika, analyses a child's drawing.

Erika Olah

Wed 26 Oct 2016

Illustrations on motherhood

Anita, a very talented illustrator and mum of 2 provides a rather accurate and funny presentation of motherhood. Enjoy!

Anita Bagdi

Tue 25 Oct 2016

Holiday with a 7 month old baby

We went to Rome in October 2016 with Bean who was 7 months old at the time. This is a little post about what to expect from travelling with a toddler.

Kate Wilson

Thu 20 Oct 2016

Different Types of Childcare

All too often, new parents need a helping hand to understand the various types of childcare, so here is a summary which I hope you will find useful.

Kate Wilson

Mon 03 Oct 2016

Sleep training from the perspective of the baby

So I am implementing a plan. I call it the Crybaby Shuffle.

Kate Wilson

Thu 29 Sep 2016

EP-ing aka Exclusive Pumping

I ended up Exclusive Pumping and it worked very well for me, so I thought I would share my experience with you.

Kate Wilson

Tue 30 Aug 2016

Expert advice as to how to help a choking child

Fortunately, fatalities from choking are rare, however it is critically important to recognise the signs and be able to help.

Emma Hammett

Thu 25 Aug 2016

Your life during pregnancy

Pregnancy, whether you love it or hate it, whether you bloom or wilt, will have an impact on you and your emotions and relationships.

Tina Perridge

Sat 09 Jul 2016

Overcoming post-natal depression

Don’t give up and remember that there are other sources of support.

Julie Morris

Tue 14 Jun 2016

Sibling rivalry

Sibling rivalry is much less in families where all siblings feel equally treated. It is very hard to do, but effort must be made to keep the family peace. So here are a few helpful tips and solutions to help you help your family.

Kate Wilson

Tue 03 May 2016

The potty training nightmare

Remember to two key words for a successful potty training: routine and praises.

Edina Rokus

Sat 30 Apr 2016

So I have become a mum

It is the single most astonishing experience of my life. But, believe it or not, it is all worth it.

Kate Wilson

Thu 31 Mar 2016