Claire Farrer Ofsted

Children's early years are the time between birth and the 31 August following their fifth birthday. This is a time of dramatic growth and development: a child’s brain doubles in size in the first year and by age three it will have reached 80% of its adult volume. A child is creating synapses at a very fast rate. At the age of two or three, the brain has up to twice as many synapses than it has in adulthood. The early years are a time when children are learning rapidly. How well they are taught, whether that is at home or outside of the home, is very important. I have been a registered childminder in Rossendale for over 20 years, during which time I have cared for over 76 children including my own two sons. The whole of my house is used for childcare purposes and I have a fully enclosed garden for outside play. My house is a safe, friendly, approved, pet free environment where all children can play and flourish to the highest standard according to the Early Years Foundation Stage. I am close to local amenities and the children attend a variety of activities, for example: toddler groups, story telling, craft, baby yoga and music sessions.