Coram PACEY is encouraging childminders, their families and supporters across England and Wales to support local communities, spread festive cheer and showcase the positive impact of childminding during The Week of Festive Magic, taking place from 7-13 December 2026.

Celebrating the role of childminders in their communities

Building on the success of the Magic of Childminding campaign, we are calling on childminders to come together for a week of festive activities that demonstrate the vital role childminders and the children in their care play in supporting local communities.

The initiative aims to highlight the many ways childminders give back throughout the year, from organising charity fundraisers and supporting local causes to building meaningful intergenerational relationships with care homes and community groups.

Ideas for taking part in The Week of Festive Magic

Throughout the week, we are encouraging you to add a festive twist to your community activities. Ideas include:

• Hosting a yummy festive bake sale to raise money for your chosen charity.
• Putting on a joyous performance of carols at your local care home.
• Turning your usual nature walk into a litter picking ramble.
• Asking your families to bring in unwanted festive clothing or decorations that you can donate to your local charity shop.
• Holding a festive stay and play session for your community and inviting new parents and families looking to meet others in their area.
• Sending a festive card from your setting to your local MP, accompanied by a wish list of ways you, your setting and your community need their support.
• Looking for inspiration? Visit the Week of Festive Magic campaign page for downloadable resources, social media assets and promotional materials to help your setting get involved.

These are just some of the initiatives childminders are already undertaking to support their local communities. One childminder from Stockton-on-Tees shared:

“Every Christmas the children make handmade Christmas cards for the local care homes and once they are all handmade with love, we deliver them and this really is such a special part of our year. The children and the residents love it, you can see faces light up, intergenerational care is so beneficial and beautiful to be able to engage with the local community. The children develop confidence, a sense of belonging, and an understanding of different people and cultures within the local area.”

Win prizes for your setting

We want to take this opportunity to showcase their magic, and reward childminders for their work. As part of the campaign, Coram PACEY is also launching a competition to recognise some of the settings who are spreading the festive magic in their communities. The winning setting will receive a festive hamper, a framed certificate and a £250 voucher from our partners at HOPE, while the runner-up will receive a festive hamper, framed certificate and a £150 voucher.

To enter, childminders are invited to submit photographs and a summary of their activities and impact, while also sharing their stories on social media using the hashtag #magicofchildminding and tagging @CoramPACEY. Winners will be announced during the week commencing 14 December 2026. Terms and conditions apply.

The Week of Festive Magic forms part of Coram PACEY’s wider Magic of Childminding campaign, which seeks to raise awareness of the unique benefits childminders bring to children, families and communities. The campaign highlights the important role childminders play in providing personalised, consistent care while supporting children’s learning and development.

By bringing together childminders for a week of festive community action, Coram PACEY hopes to shine a spotlight on the often-unsung contributions of home-based childcare professionals and inspire even more positive change in communities across England and Wales.

Whether you’re organising a community event, fundraising for charity or simply spreading festive cheer, Coram PACEY is encouraging childminders across England and Wales to get involved and help showcase the magic of childminding in action.

Find out more, download campaign resources and enter the competition by visiting The Week of Festive Magic campaign page.