Personalised book for starting with a childminder: your child Meets the Childminder

What happens in your child Meets the Childminder

1. Your child arrives at the childminder’s front door for the first time.
2. A caring grown-up welcomes your child inside and shows the play corners.
3. Your child joins two children for snack and a simple game.
4. A garden discovery leads to a shared story in the quiet corner.
5. Mum or Dad returns, and your child heads home after a busy day.

How the first page could read

Today, your child is going to a new house with a bright red door. Inside, there are little chairs, a basket of books and a tray of chunky crayons. A kind grown-up smiles and says, “Hello, your child. Would you like to see the play kitchen?” Mum or Dad gives one more cuddle at the door.

Your child’s name, look and little details replace these words, and the whole story is written for their age.

Why this story works

This home-based tale gives your child a clear picture of a first day with a childminder: arriving at a house, meeting one new grown-up, finding the play corners and joining a small group. The plot moves through concrete parts of the day, from a cuddle at the door to snack, garden play, a quiet book and being collected. Those repeatable moments give parents useful prompts for talking about what may happen, while your child remains the child who explores, chooses and returns home. With short, age-appropriate wording, it is well suited to sharing before the first session and again afterwards.

Reading it together

• Read it together a few times before the first session, pausing to name the parts of the day your child will recognise.
• Use the goodbye page to practise a simple leaving phrase you can repeat at the childminder’s door.
• After collection, revisit the final spread and ask your child which activity they would most like to try next time.

Suggested art style: Storybook watercolour

Soft watercolour scenes make the childminder’s home, garden and play spaces feel warm, familiar and easy to explore. A sidekick idea: a soft toy rabbit tucked into your child’s bag. You can pick any of the four styles and change the details in the form.