I’m Lynsey, age 39, mum of two (Lucie,10 and Kathryn, 2 years).

 I started nannying in 2016 whilst doing my undergraduate degree in podiatric medicine (yes, feet 😊). After graduating and working as a podiatrist for only a few months realised that I loved working with children way more than I loved cutting toenails (shocker). 

I live in Durham and my daughter goes to school here. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some lovely families from all over the world. 

Although primarily a nanny, I worked as a childminder in 2017/2018 and have now returned to caring for children in my own home as an Ofsted-registered childminder (as of April 2024).  

I follow the Hygge approach at Little Bears, providing a warm, homely and cosy environment for all children. I aim to create a psychological safe space for the children. Ways in which we support well-being:

• Focus around a child’s right to play. Play is essential for well-being – it gives children time to think for themselves, reflect and use their imagination
• Focus on presence, spending time with children, focusing on their current interests in the present moment
• Being a small setting, allows us to spend time as part of a family group, promoting a sense of togetherness
•  Aim to promote happiness and wellbeing, providing a positive role model for children. My objective is to be nurturing, caring, kind, and friendly.
• Children are listened to and they know that their ideas are important. I reflect these ideas in our environment and planning
• An ethos of sharing, kind words and actions for all
• Twinkly lights and soft glow lamps provide an ambient atmosphere for the children to explore and investigate in. These are used alongside the natural light that shines through the windows and doors
• We spend long periods of time outside with access to our natural gardens and open ended resources
• Children will have access to spaces indoors, outdoors and out in the community every day.