Kayte's House: Why I signed up to the Froebel Trust Online Course

The Ofsted registered childminder opened Kayte’s House in 2016. She has since gone on to win the Nursery World National Childminder of the Year 2019, the Pacey Regional Childminder of the Year 2024 and Pacey Runner-up National Childminder of the Year 2024 as well as being graded Outstanding by Ofsted.

As Kayte approaches her ten-year anniversary, she reflects on her practice and how she discovered the Froebel Trust and felt inspired to sign up to our Online Course.

Could you tell us about Kayte’s House Childcare and Early Years?

“We are based in North-Essex in a village called Coggeshall and in June I will celebrate my 10th year as a childminder, having cared for over 45 children in that time.

“I follow a nature-based curriculum, with my pedagogy underpinned by the Froebelian principles. I take children from the age of 9 months to 5 years old and offer wraparound care for school-aged children.”

What inspired you to sign up the Froebel Trust Online Course?

“By chance I came across an article in Nursery World Magazine by Professor Alison Clarke about slow pedagogy, and it was a real light-bulb moment for me.

“In the last ten years, my practice had evolved, I had slowed down and simplified our days and tuned into the seasons and rhythms of nature.

“Everything I read [in the article] aligned with what I believed children needed and closely mirrored what I was already doing, and so I dug a little deeper and came across the Froebel Trust website.

“From there I signed up to do the Element 1 course and enjoyed it so much that I immediately put my name down for the next cohort for all the Elements.”

How did your expectations of the Online Course hold up against your experience of the first Element?

“I think for me it was everything I expected and more. I had already realised that most (if not all) Froebelian practitioners and tutors are naturally dedicated and fully committed to something more than just the day-to-day care and education of young children.

“But what was so apparent from the first session wasn’t just the quality of the content, but the sense of community, shared knowledge and deep reflection that came with it.”

What have you most enjoyed about the Online Course so far?

“I have absolutely relished being able to really immerse myself in the Froebelian ethos. The sessions feel incredibly collaborative between tutors and students, and spending so much time together over these last few months has meant that we have really got to know each other. I really value our professional discussions. My group is made up of practitioners from all around the world who work in varying roles across the early years and primary sector. It has been incredibly insightful to learn about other settings and to compare practice in such a meaningful way.

“As a childminder I work alone, and so being part of this course has opened up an added layer of community for me. I don’t often get the opportunity for reflection and discussion, and so it has been quite emotional at times to feel like I am connected with a team of likeminded people who share that profound dedication to their work, and in improving outcomes for the children who attend our settings.

“The Froebel Trust Online Course has also validated my own practice at a time when there is a lot of discussion around what a ‘best start’ for young children looks like. I am deeply committed to preserving children’s right to a childhood, and the Froebelian principles completely align with this.”

What would you say to someone thinking of signing up to the Froebel Trust Online Course?

“It’s a no-brainer for anyone working with young children and looking to evolve their practice. For me, my experience on the course will positively impact both myself and my children for years to come. Froebel may have been one of the early theorists, but his understanding of how young children learn and what young children need couldn’t be more relevant or needed than it is today.”