Sophie Hallett

Sophie Hallett is a childminder in Ceredigion. She has advanced qualifications in child development, which she uses to create a well-rounded and supportive learning environment. For the past three years, she has focused on her own professional growth and combines different approaches to build a calm, child-centred setting where children thrive.

Sophie uses creative ideas that encourage natural learning and independence. She designs meaningful experiences through thoughtful environments and resources, such as:

• placing knitted birds in a basket, which inspired children to name, care for, weigh, and measure them, as well as read stories and play bird-themed games
• arranging visits to a honey farm based on the children’s curiosity and interests
• encouraging hands-on, sensory learning through sustainable activities
• creating a calm space where wellbeing and emotional growth are valued alongside learning

These approaches give children choice in how they learn while keeping them engaged and supporting their ongoing development.

• Children gain confidence by directing their own learning
• They explore cause and effect through hands-on experiments
• Their play develops from simple exploration to purposeful activities
• They strengthen their problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• They focus for longer and stay more engaged in their learning

“Changing the way in which I work has not only been of benefit to the children but also myself and my own family. The calm and neutral environment which is our family home is conducive to a happy nurturing place where children can learn through play”