Little Rays Childcare

11/02/2025

It seems that changing a page name is simply too difficult for Facebook. So I've started a page for my Celebrant business in which I'll be sharing what a Humanist Naming Ceremony is all about and why they are a beautiful, non-religious alternative to a Christening. Please do follow along, share and support as I embark on this exciting new adventure, Rachel ### https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572920287963

Bespoke and Non-Religious Naming Ceremonies

24/10/2023

Regrettably, due to personal circumstances, Little Rays has had to close. It’s been an amazing four years and an absolute privilege to care for other peoples little rays of sunshine.
Thank you to all of my fantastic clients for placing your trust in me and for your support, especially over the past few months.
Thank you to all of the beautiful children that have been part of the Little Rays family. I’ve cherished each and every one of you and will think of you all so fondly over the years.
Thank you to my amazing assistants - Alicja, Louise, Emma and Emily. Your professionalism, friendship and company have been hugely appreciated by myself, the parents and of course the children who you cared so much for.
Thank you to my fabulous family for your never-ending encouragement.
And finally, thank you to my own two Little Rays of Sunshine - Delilah and Luca. It hasn’t always been easy sharing your home, your toys and your mummy. But being able to spend your early years with you and watching you grow in empathy, connection and kindness towards all of those that came through our doors has been an absolute honour and I’m so lucky to have you both.
I’ll always be proud to have been a childminder and of the lovely community we built together.
Much love, Rachel ###

14/06/2023

There are lots of wonderful things about this job, but one of the best perks are the exciting day trips that we get to share with the children. Recently, we took the Little Rays to Clare Castle Park in Suffolk. Historic ruins, stunning scenery, nature in abundance and space - lots of green space to run, roll, chase and relax in with friends - a perfect day!

26/05/2023

The knitters of Dunmow have done it again - spreading a little happiness and joy in the local community! Stop by 17 Tenterfields with your child to take a look at the fabulous characters that now adorn our Little Library, and help yourself to a book or two at the same time ###

24/04/2023

🌺🌸💐🌷🌹🪷 Spring has sprung and the Little Rays have been busy outside, learning all about seeds, flowers and plants. At the florist we talked about different types of flowers and parts of a plant, we’ve sowed sunflower seeds in their own decorated pots (growing competition afoot) and explored the John Ray Garden in Braintree (famous botanist). Lots more outside adventures to come!

24/04/2023

Little Rays Little Library is back open for the summer term - a free community library for children under 5. Found at 17 Tenterfields, pop by with your little ones and help yourself to a book or two xx

02/03/2023

The Little Rays brought their favourite books with them today and loved sharing these stories with their friends. We’ve been reading ‘Handa’s Surprise’ recently; so much learning from just one story - maths, geography, different cultures, phonics, healthy eating and friendship. A perfect World Book Day 2023 ###

21/01/2023

Spaces available for September 2023!
Based in Great Dunmow.
Due to several children starting school, we have spaces available for a September start.
If you’re looking for a safe, happy and homely environment for your little ones’ early education, come and visit Little Rays Childcare to see all that we have to offer, catering for ages 0-4.
Call Rachel 07912347288

23/12/2022

Phew, what a festive time we’ve had already! Letters to Santa, making our own sleigh, role playing the nativity, decorating gingerbread and of course meeting the Big Man himself! Wishing all of our wonderful Little Rays a very Merry Christmas! We can’t wait to see what adventures 2023 has in store for you. Love from the LR team ###

28/11/2022

‘Great rhymers make great readers’…. An awareness of rhyme and the ability to sing familiar songs can have such a positive impact on a child’s early literacy skills. So, we’ve been honing our nursery rhyme repertoire recently. ‘Five Current Buns’ was a favourite for obvious reasons, closely followed by ‘London Bridge’, ‘Miss Polly had a Dolly’, ‘I’m a Little Teapot’ and many more. What’s your favourite?

15/10/2022

Autumn days are amazing, taking our learning outside at every opportunity. From arts and crafts, flying kites, splashing in puddles, roasting marshmallows, hop scotching and rolling down hills. All the Little Rays are happy exploring their world together x

23/09/2022

This Royal Family small-world play area gave children the chance to talk about recent events should they wish to. It was lovely to hear about what had happened from their perspective and to help them process this event in an age-appropriate way.

08/09/2022

What a sad day…. Possibly some helpful advice for parents and carers here. RIP Queen Elizabeth the Great x

What a sad day. No matter how you feel about the monarchy; today a family lost their much loved matriarch and many around the world will be mourning the loss of a strong woman who was a constant in turbulent times.

The following days could prove unsettling to children. There will be a sense of collective grief amongst those in the UK (and commonwealth), television and radio programmes will change, there will be constant sombre music and talk of death and funerals. All of this coming at a time of societal change and with children starting or returning to school.

What's the best way to handle this with children? I'm a firm believer in not shielding children from death. I don't think we do them justice in trying to protect them from it. If we don't talk to them about it somebody else will; such as a a friend in the school playground, or they will overhear a conversation. When somebody dies, whether in our close family or someone who played an important role in our life - like the Queen, we should take time to sit and explain to our children what has happened, using simple, child friendly language. Avoid using ambiguous terms such as "passed away", "went to heaven" (conversations about religious and spiritual beliefs can happen later), or "gone to sleep", instead be clear that the Queen has died; actively use the term death.

It's natural for children to ask questions, try to answer them as honestly and accurately as possible, however uncomfortable or inappropriate they may feel to you. It's also natural for them to worry about you, or others close to them dying, here try to reassure them, but again be honest. It is always good to have a few children's books to hand which can help you to explain death to younger children. Children may like to process their feelings and remember the Queen by drawing pictures, or writing about her (this is akin to us as adults writing in a book of condolence).

If you're upset at the news (or it has triggered past grief in you), don't feel that you have to hide your emotions, again it's good for children to see us grieving. Similarly, it is more than appropriate for children to be allowed to watch the funeral on television if they - or you - would like to.

Much love to everyone today, it's going to be a strange, sad and discombobulating period for many (in times that are already tricky).

Image credit: Joel Rouse/ Ministry of DefenceDerivative: nagualdesign - defenceimagery.mod.uk, OGL 3, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65165563

26/08/2022

Summer holidays are coming to an end…. But we’ve made some beautiful memories together x

18/08/2022

via Dance with me in the Heart

15/08/2022

Last week we went to explore some local lavender fields. What a wonderful sensory and relaxing experience! The children immersed themselves into the environment, using all their senses to learn more, and continued their learning once home using the dried lavender in their play dough, painting and water play. A new favourite place for us!