What childcare experience or qualification do you have?
I completed my BTEC National diploma in Early Years at Bridgwater college in 2005. This involved work placements at nurseries, schools and a private family.
After this I went on to work in a nursery setting.
I spent some time as a stay at home Mum and then went back to a nursery setting in 2008. During my employment there, I completed my BA(Hons) Early years through the Open University.
In 2013 I registered as a childminder.
I continue to complete regular training and webinars to keep my training up to date and to build on my knowledge of all aspects of the Early Years.
What schools do you collect from or drop off?
Burnham-on-Sea infants school
St Andrews junior school
We are located between the 2 schools and will walk the school run.
How many children do you usually care for?
Usually 3 under the age of 5 (no more than one of these children being under 12 months)
I can have a total of 6 children under the age of 8. I usually also care for a couple of children over the age of 8.
Do you offer funded places?
Yes, 15 hours per week for eligible 2 year olds and 3/4 year olds. Some families will also be entitled to an additional 15 hours (30 hours in total). More information here...
What do I need to bring?
Nappies and wet wipes
Change of clothes
Milk bottles and formula
Suitable coat/hat/shoes for the weather
How do you support children's learning?
Children learn through play. I believe children learn best when they are interested and challenged so I plan for each individual child based on their interests, schemas and level of development.
I am an accredited The Curiosity Approach setting. The playroom and resources are carefully planned out to offer an environment where children can explore, imagine and create.
I follow the Early years foundation stage.
How do you share learning with parents?
Photos are shared daily alongside information about your child's day. I create a learning journey folder containing photos and observations. Each term I review your child's learning and development and create next steps for us to work towards together.
What if my child is ill?
Guidance for exclusion periods for illnesses can be found here.
If your child is unwell and not able to join in with our normal routine they should be kept at home.
What if the childminder or her children are ill or the childminder needs to close?
I will inform you as soon as possible if I am unable to care for your child due to my own illness. I am aware that for working parents it is important for you to have as much notice as possible. I will do my best to help find alternative childcare arrangements by providing contact details of other childminders in the area, however, finding and arranging alternative care is the responsibility of parents.
If a member of my own family is at home sick I will make a decision on whether to accept children on that day. You will be notified as soon as possible if I have to close.
There may be other occasions when I am unable to open, for example:
If I need to close during the day I would phone parents and any emergency contacts and ask that you collect your child as soon as possible.
There would be no charge for days where I cannot care for your child and any paid fees will be refunded to you.
Arrival and collection
If you arrive unexpectedly early I may not be ready to care for your child. If you are late it might affect the routines of other children and/or my own family. Please discuss with me if you need to change your contracted hours.
Please let me know as soon as possible if you will be late collecting your child. Please note that late collection will incur a fee (see fees policy). I ask that you try to arrive a few minutes early to allow time for me to update you on your child’s day.
I will only release your child from my care to adults who have permission to collect him/her. If somebody arrives to collect your child, who I have not met before, I will need to be given their full name and then will need to see a form of ID such as a driving licence.
If a parent does not collect for any reason and I cannot get hold of any emergency contacts I will follow my uncollected child procedure.
How are children kept safe when travelling in the car?
I have a full, clean driving license, which is available for you to see on request
I will ensure my car is road worthy and up to date with MOT, Car Tax etc
I will ensure it is covered by business use car Insurance and the certificate is available for you to see
I will avoid, where possible, taking your child to a petrol station, by filling up my car before or after my minded hours
I will ensure all car seats are correctly fitted, age and stage appropriate for the children using them and that they are correctly strapped into them
I will always carry a mobile telephone with me in case of an emergency.
I will always carry identification and contact phone numbers for me and the minded children in case of an emergency
I will always carry a First Aid kit in the car in case of an emergency
I will never leave a child unattended in a car.
I will teach your child about the dangers of cars and roads, in an age appropriate way.
I completed my BTEC National diploma in Early Years at Bridgwater college in 2005. This involved work placements at nurseries, schools and a private family.
After this I went on to work in a nursery setting.
I spent some time as a stay at home Mum and then went back to a nursery setting in 2008. During my employment there, I completed my BA(Hons) Early years through the Open University.
In 2013 I registered as a childminder.
I continue to complete regular training and webinars to keep my training up to date and to build on my knowledge of all aspects of the Early Years.
What schools do you collect from or drop off?
Burnham-on-Sea infants school
St Andrews junior school
We are located between the 2 schools and will walk the school run.
How many children do you usually care for?
Usually 3 under the age of 5 (no more than one of these children being under 12 months)
I can have a total of 6 children under the age of 8. I usually also care for a couple of children over the age of 8.
Do you offer funded places?
Yes, 15 hours per week for eligible 2 year olds and 3/4 year olds. Some families will also be entitled to an additional 15 hours (30 hours in total). More information here...
What do I need to bring?
Nappies and wet wipes
Change of clothes
Milk bottles and formula
Suitable coat/hat/shoes for the weather
How do you support children's learning?
Children learn through play. I believe children learn best when they are interested and challenged so I plan for each individual child based on their interests, schemas and level of development.
I am an accredited The Curiosity Approach setting. The playroom and resources are carefully planned out to offer an environment where children can explore, imagine and create.
I follow the Early years foundation stage.
How do you share learning with parents?
Photos are shared daily alongside information about your child's day. I create a learning journey folder containing photos and observations. Each term I review your child's learning and development and create next steps for us to work towards together.
What if my child is ill?
Guidance for exclusion periods for illnesses can be found here.
If your child is unwell and not able to join in with our normal routine they should be kept at home.
What if the childminder or her children are ill or the childminder needs to close?
I will inform you as soon as possible if I am unable to care for your child due to my own illness. I am aware that for working parents it is important for you to have as much notice as possible. I will do my best to help find alternative childcare arrangements by providing contact details of other childminders in the area, however, finding and arranging alternative care is the responsibility of parents.
If a member of my own family is at home sick I will make a decision on whether to accept children on that day. You will be notified as soon as possible if I have to close.
There may be other occasions when I am unable to open, for example:
- Loss of power to my home
- Mains water turned off
- Heating broken
- Flooding
- Medical emergency for myself or a member of my immediate family
- Death within the family
- Following emergency evacuation of my premises
If I need to close during the day I would phone parents and any emergency contacts and ask that you collect your child as soon as possible.
There would be no charge for days where I cannot care for your child and any paid fees will be refunded to you.
Arrival and collection
If you arrive unexpectedly early I may not be ready to care for your child. If you are late it might affect the routines of other children and/or my own family. Please discuss with me if you need to change your contracted hours.
Please let me know as soon as possible if you will be late collecting your child. Please note that late collection will incur a fee (see fees policy). I ask that you try to arrive a few minutes early to allow time for me to update you on your child’s day.
I will only release your child from my care to adults who have permission to collect him/her. If somebody arrives to collect your child, who I have not met before, I will need to be given their full name and then will need to see a form of ID such as a driving licence.
If a parent does not collect for any reason and I cannot get hold of any emergency contacts I will follow my uncollected child procedure.
How are children kept safe when travelling in the car?
I have a full, clean driving license, which is available for you to see on request
I will ensure my car is road worthy and up to date with MOT, Car Tax etc
I will ensure it is covered by business use car Insurance and the certificate is available for you to see
I will avoid, where possible, taking your child to a petrol station, by filling up my car before or after my minded hours
I will ensure all car seats are correctly fitted, age and stage appropriate for the children using them and that they are correctly strapped into them
I will always carry a mobile telephone with me in case of an emergency.
I will always carry identification and contact phone numbers for me and the minded children in case of an emergency
I will always carry a First Aid kit in the car in case of an emergency
I will never leave a child unattended in a car.
I will teach your child about the dangers of cars and roads, in an age appropriate way.