Little Prime Mates

About Me

Welcome to Little Prime Mates Childminding! I’m Elisabeth Prime, a qualified primary school teacher deeply committed to the early years of childhood. The first five years of a child's life are crucial for their development, shaping their future learning and success. I will lovingly nurture, attentively care for, and thoughtfully provide the best environment to ensure that each child in our care thrives during this important time.

We are located in the picturesque Old Town area of Eastbourne. I live here with my wonderful husband, Mark, and our two delightful children, Maisie, who is 6, and Edison, who is 3.
At Little Prime Mates, children enjoy a spacious environment that includes our entire downstairs area and a lovely garden. Mark is currently building a playhouse under the stairs, and we have many exciting projects planned for the future to make our space even more magical.

We provide fantastic home-based childcare for children from birth to 8 years old where every day is filled with fun and creates lasting memories. Our approach is deeply child-centered, focusing on nurturing each child’s unique needs and fostering their individual development. With experience of teaching in schools and early years education, we are also committed to supporting your child to reach their full potential.

Our aim is to provide a safe, fun, and creative environment where children can thrive. Some of the experiences we include in our day to day practice are:
• diverse and varied trips and activities;
• messy play;
• sensory experiences;
• investigative play;
• discovery learning;
• mark-making opportunities;
• stories and storytelling (bringing tales to life through play and sparking children’s imaginations).
We incorporate a love of singing, quality interactions, and a language-rich environment to support your child’s ongoing development; helping them to express themselves and build relationships with others.

We ensure that children have many experiences outside of the home environment that build confidence, resilience and help them to explore and understand the world around them. We are committed to offering a diverse range of activities and outings for your child. These include regular trips such as nature walks on the Downs, woodlands, the beach, farms, local parks, the library and quality playgroups and other local attractions we have memberships for, your child will enjoy a variety of enriching and interesting adventures.

We offer full-day care and work closely with families to understand each individual child, their needs and for continuity of their care. This helps your child to learn, grow, and enjoy their time with us at Little Prime Mates. Daily updates, including photos, events, observations, and WOW moments, keep you informed about your child’s experiences and milestones. Our home provides ample space to follow your child’s interests.

Our practices:

We align our practice with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, supporting your child’s development across the seven key areas:
• Communication and Language
• Physical Development,
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts and Design

We also incorporate the following approaches into our childcare at Little Prime Mates:
Hygge Approach:
Fosters a sense of cosiness and well-being, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. It encourages slowing down, enjoying the moment, and fostering creativity through simple, nature-based activities.
Reggio Emilia Approach:
Focuses on child-led, open-ended play, allowing children to explore their interests creatively. It integrates natural elements into the learning process, fostering curiosity and a connection to the world.
Steiner philosophy:
Blends arts and creativity, emphasizing imaginative play and hands-on learning. Outdoor activities and seasonal rhythms are integral, shaping a holistic approach to development.
Forest school:
Forest School immerses children in nature, fostering independence and resilience through outdoor exploration. Creativity is nurtured through hands-on, nature-based activities and play.

These methodologies emphasise child-led, unhurried curiosity and a profound respect for each child’s natural development. By integrating these traditional and holistic approaches, we provide a well-rounded, enriching environment where each child can flourish.