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Brilliant Businesses

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The Hub's founder is bringing together a variety of Brilliant Businesses that align with the Hub's values and support the childminding community with their high quality goods and/or services.

 

Each business has to apply to feature within the Hub and successful applicants are given a free shop window and business profile within one of the Spaces, which best fits what they sell!

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All of the Hub's Brilliant Businesses offer members 10% discount for their full price products and services! â€‹â€‹

Business owners are not permitted to join the Hub because it's a dedicated community for childminders, and the founder was keen to ensure the Hub doesn't become a noisy marketplace that detracts from all the important work childminders are doing every day! The only exception to this would be a childminder who has a legitimate secondary business but they are not permitted to advertise whatsoever across the Hub.

The Brilliant Businesses Collection is inclusive of both local and wide spread organisations from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland! If you own an independent coffee shop that welcomes childminders and their children all the way through to a business that can ship the best non leak water bottles to anywhere in the UK! 

​Please scroll down for the Spaces within the Brilliant Businesses Collections and if you have a great business that you think will be a good fit for the Hub, please get in touch.

*Please note pyramid and MLM businesses are not accepted.

 

**The founder does not take any responsibility for the goods and/or services sold by any of the businesses and does not mediate between businesses and the Hub's members. The Brilliant Businesses Collection provides 'shop windows' and business profiles for members to peruse and make their own purchasing decisions outside of the Hub.

All the Toys and
Books

The Hub welcomes quality businesses offering:

  • Fiction and non‑fiction

  • Board books, pop‑up books, picture books, early readers

  • Titles from independent authors and publishers

  • Inclusive, diverse, and developmentally supportive content

  • Wooden or plastic toys that meet safety standards

  • Open‑ended loose parts for imaginative play

  • Real‑life, practical items suitable for hands‑on learning

  • Sensory toys such as fidgets, textured items, chew‑safe products, and tactile tools

  • Emotional‑support toys including comfort items, plushies, worry stones, and grounding tools

  • Toys and resources that support regulation, calm spaces, and neurodiverse needs

  • Items designed to encourage emotional expression, resilience, and self‑soothing​

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Arts, Crafts and Hobbies

The Hub welcomes quality businesses offering quality creative materials for settings and families; 

  • Ready‑made craft packs and themed activity kits

  • Child‑safe paints, crayons, markers, chalks, and drawing tools

  • Paper, card, canvases, sketchbooks, and mixed‑media surfaces

  • Glue, tape, child‑safe scissors, and basic crafting tools

  • Eco‑friendly, sustainable, or recycled art materials

  • Sensory craft items such as textured papers, foam shapes, beads, ribbons, fabrics

  • Materials for messy play (slime ingredients, dough, clay, sensory bases)

  • Yarn, wool, felt, sewing kits, and simple textile crafts

  • Beginner‑friendly hobby kits (weaving, stitching, model‑making, simple woodworking)​​

Childminding 
Paraphernalia

.The Hub welcomes quality businesses offering;

  • Lovely gifts that would be suitable for children and adults

  • Child‑friendly water bottles, cups, beakers, snack container, plates, bowls, cutlery, lunch boxes, and reusable food pouches

  • Bibs, aprons, wipe‑clean table coverings, and feeding accessories

  • Hand‑washing accessories (step stools, soap dispensers, child‑safe hygiene tools)

  • Changing mats, nappy‑changing accessories, and storage caddies

  • Reusable cloths, wipes, and cleaning materials

  • Small storage baskets, tubs, caddies, organisers

  • Labels, visual aids, and routine‑support tools

  • Buggies, double buggies, and buggy accessories

  • Pram organisers, buggy clips, rain covers, and footmuffs

  • Car seats and car‑seat accessories (mirrors, organisers, covers)

  • Picnic mats, portable seating, and outdoor essentials​

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Clothing, Shoes
and Accessories

The Hub welcomes quality businesses offering items for adults and children;

  • Everyday essentials (tops, leggings, joggers, shorts, dresses) for adults and children

  • Easy‑on, easy‑off clothing suitable for toileting and independent dressing

  • Weather‑appropriate layers (jumpers, cardigans, fleeces)

  • Sun‑safe clothing including UV‑protective items

  • All the coats for rain, wind and the school run

  • Waterproofs, puddle suits, and outdoor‑ready layers

  • Hats, gloves, scarves, and seasonal accessories

  • Wellies, waterproof boots, and outdoor footwear

  • Soft‑soled shoes for babies and toddlers

  • Slippers or indoor shoes

  • Backpacks suitable for outings

  • Small bags for individuals

  • Sun hats, winter hats, and protective headwear

  • Mittens, gloves, and seasonal accessories

  • Spare‑clothes bags, wet bags, and drawstring bags

  • Practical footwear for indoor and outdoor use

Coffee Shops, Cafes and Restaurants

The Hub welcomes quality businesses that provide a friendly, safe, and inclusive environment for childminders during work and/or family time. This includes;

  • A welcoming atmosphere for children of all ages

  • Space for prams, buggies, and small groups

  • Highchairs, booster seats, or child‑friendly seating options

  • Clean, accessible baby‑changing facilities

  • A good range of child‑friendly food and drink options

  • Healthy choices and allergy‑aware alternatives

  • Simple, affordable options suitable for regular visits

  • Takeaway options for childminders on the move

  • Food trailers and mobile cafés with safe outdoor seating

  • Venues near parks, green spaces, or walking routes

  • Places offering takeaway drinks and snacks for outdoor adventures

  • Independent cafés, coffee shops, and family‑run restaurants

  • Businesses offering homemade, artisan, or locally sourced food

  • Venues that support community, inclusivity, and family‑friendly values

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Enrichment Experiences

The Hub welcomes quality, safe and clean businesses offering;

  • Soft‑play centres & play gyms suitable for babies, toddlers, and mixed‑age groups

  •  Music, Dance, movement, and early‑years fitness classes

  • Sensory rooms and sensory‑friendly play spaces

  • Messy‑play sessions (foam, water, dough, paint, textures)

  • Light‑and‑sound experiences suitable for early years

  • Role‑play centres, mini‑world play villages, themed play experiences that encourage storytelling and social play

  • Early‑years art classes (painting, collage, clay etc)

  • STEM‑based sessions (building, experimenting, exploring)

  • Nature‑based experiences (forest school, outdoor learning, gardening)

  • Storytelling sessions, drama play, and early literacy activities

  • Workshops that support curiosity, problem‑solving, and teamwork

  • Indoor and outdoor play centres

  • Community hubs offering drop‑in sessions

Home and Garden  

The Hub welcomes quality businesses offering indoor and outdoor items that work for a setting and a home, as well as items for non-domestic premises;

  • Child‑sized tables, chairs, and stools

  • Highchairs, booster seats, and feeding furniture

  • Storage units, shelving, and accessible toy displays

  • Bookcases, reading nooks, cosy‑corner furniture and accessories

  • Cushions, beanbags, and soft seating

  • Rugs, mats, and washable floor coverings

  • Curtains, no cord blinds, and soft décor and lighting suitable for child‑friendly spaces

  • Outdoor‑safe soft furnishings for garden play areas

  • Safety gates, room dividers, and child‑safe barriers

  • Coat pegs, shoe racks, and hallway organisation

  • Outdoor storage boxes, sheds, and equipment organisers

  • Outdoor seating, benches, and picnic tables

  • Shade solutions (parasols, canopies, pop‑up shelters)

  • Planters, gardening tools, and child‑friendly growing kits

  • Outdoor mats, waterproof cushions, and weather‑resistant décor

  • Custom‑built outdoor play furniture (mud kitchens, playhouses, sand/water stations)

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Self Care and Pampering

The Hub welcomes quality businesses offering restorative, and enjoyable experiences that support childminders’ wellbeing — both individually and with their own families:​

  • Holistic treatments that promote relaxation and stress relief

  • Beauty treatments (facials, nails, skincare, waxing)

  • Hairdressing and barbering services

  • Spa days, pamper packages, and relaxation experiences

  • Guided nature walks, forest‑bathing sessions, and outdoor retreats

  • Fitness and gentle movement classes suitable for all levels

  • Creative workshops (art, pottery, journaling, crafts)

  • Courses that support personal growth, confidence, and relaxation

  • Short breaks, retreats, and peaceful stays

  • Zoos, wildlife parks, and aquariums

  • Museums, galleries, and cultural attractions

  • Indoor and outdoor adventure centres

  • Rock climbing, trampolining, skating, and active family fun

  • Farms, play parks, and nature‑based family experiences

  • Seasonal events, festivals, and local days out

Training and Admin

The Hub welcomes quality businesses offering;

  • Accredited childcare and early‑years qualifications

  • Paediatric first aid and safeguarding training

  • CPD courses covering EYFS, SEND, behaviour, communication, and child development etc

  • Specialist training (e.g., outdoor learning, sensory play, trauma‑informed practice)

  • Paperwork providers for policies, procedures,  compliance templates, risk assessments, permissions, registration etc

  • EYFS‑aligned planning packs

  • Themed activity packs (seasonal, cultural, developmental)

  • Observation, assessment, and tracking tools

  • Resource bundles that support learning through play

  • SEND‑friendly planning and inclusive activity ideas

  • Topic‑based learning packs (transport, animals, nature, celebrations)

  • Sensory‑play plans and materials lists

  • Outdoor‑learning packs and nature‑based activities

  • Process‑art and craft‑planning bundles

  • Multi‑age activity packs suitable for mixed‑age groups

  • Childminding apps for admin, planning, and communication

  • Digital tracking tools for EYFS and developmental milestones

  • Online platforms for invoicing, contracts, and finance management

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