Case Study – Childminder’s Allotment

Elaina Eakers is a childminder in Gloucester, awarded Outstanding by Ofsted in 2016 & 2020. As a Curiosity Approach Accredited and an award-winning eco-friendly setting, they like large parts of their curriculum to be nature-based. In 2024, she watched the Gardeners World programme, and inspired by a children’s allotment called Skool Beanz, decided to undertake her university research project on ‘The benefits of an allotment in a childminder setting’. Here, she describes their journey through the growing seasons and the expected and unexpected benefits they all experienced. This is a joyous read!