Celebrating Language and Culture in Sahira's Childminding Setting
Sahira Malik has been childminding for over a decade in Glasgow. At her setting, Tots and Toys, she provides home-from-home, high-quality care to families from a wide range of backgrounds. Originally from Pakistan, Sahira is bilingual in Urdu and English — a strength she brings to her setting every day.
“I like being able to share my culture. I teach children some easy phrases in Urdu, and they love it. It’s a great way to encourage an interest in language and to teach them about other countries.”
Multilingual Learning in Practice
In Sahira’s setting, children are introduced to both English and Urdu in a playful, natural way. Whether it’s learning everyday words like “dudh” (milk) — which the children affectionately call “doodoo” — or joining in with celebrations and songs from different cultures, language becomes a fun, inclusive part of daily life.
This multilingual approach helps children from diverse backgrounds feel more confident and settled. For children who are new to English or new to Scotland, Sahira gently introduces language learning to help them adapt socially and emotionally.
“I help children who don’t know English. I teach them how to speak and understand English, so they feel more comfortable speaking to other Scottish people and in new environments. It helps them settle.”
Parents are equally reassured by Sahira’s support. Several families have chosen her setting specifically because she speaks both Urdu and English.
“Some parents who move to the UK find it hard to get childcare that understands their language or culture. When they come to me, they feel relieved. They know their child is understood, and they trust me.”
A Home-from-home Setting
Sahira celebrates a range of cultural festivals and traditions in her setting, from Pakistani and Indian festivals to Scottish celebrations. Children learn about different customs and enjoy themed activities that make everyone feel included.
“Scottish children in my setting also learn about other cultures — a wee bit of Urdu and different festivals. Parents love that.”
Due to childminding being home-based, it allows Sahira to give children more focused attention than they might receive in larger nurseries or childcare settings.
“I’m able to give one-to-one support, which really helps with language learning and confidence. I send pictures and updates to parents every day. They feel involved and love seeing what their kids are up to.”
Making a Difference
Over the years, Sahira has received heartwarming feedback from parents and even teachers. One parent, a teacher herself, asked Sahira to teach her child Urdu, not just to connect with the culture, but to encourage early multilingual development.
The children in Sahira’s care often develop their own playful versions of words — inspired by Urdu – and genuinely enjoy the chance to learn a new language. These moments show how language learning at a young age can be fun, imaginative and contribute greatly to children’s learning and development.
“The children are so sweet, and they love learning — they inspire me every day.”
Advice for Aspiring Childminders
Sahira recommends childminding to anyone passionate about working with children, especially those who speak another language.
“If you speak another language, use it! It helps children so much — and their families too. Childminding is reliable and flexible for parents and being in a small setting means we can give more attention to each child which is best for everyone.”
If you’re interested in becoming a childminder, you can find out more about the Programme for Scotland’s Childminding Future (PSCF) and the support available by visiting Become a Childminder in Scotland – SCMA