What is a Childminder?
A childminder is a childcare professional who looks after children in their own home. This provides a family setting for children to grow and learn. Childminders are regulated by
Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) .
Please click on this link for more information
http://www.ofsted.gov.uk
What qualifications do you have?
I am City & Guilds Level 3 Qualified having completed a Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce. I have also undertaken courses in Safeguarding, Paediatric First Aid, Food Hygiene and my professional development is ongoing. Myself and my husband are DBS checked (Disclosure and Barring Service).
What age children do you care for?
Aged 10 months to 5 years old.
How much do you charge?
My hourly rate
for early years children is £5 payable
monthly in advance. For before and after school care I charge £2.50
per half an hour. Holiday care only is charged at £5 per hour.
Any babysitting over and above working hours is charged at £6.50 per hour.
Do you provide snacks/meals?
Snacks and drinks are included in
the hourly rate (such as fresh & dried fruits, vegetables, biscuits,
crumpets, breadsticks, toast, cheese, yoghurt, etc).
You are required to supply baby food/milk for your baby which can be eaten cold or warmed up by me. You are required to provide all meals for your child - I can warm food but I cannot cook any foods.
If you would like me to provide breakfast and/or lunch there is a separate
charge which we can discuss at our initial meeting.
What about nappies, wipes etc?
You are required to provide nappies, wipes, creams, sunscreen and a change of clothes for your child. Please provide outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather - hats & gloves for winter, sun hat, cardigans or lightweight coat for summer, etc. Please bring a coat for your child regardless of the weather. It is easier to take layers off! Please ensure your child has appropriate footwear for outings/walks so that their feet are well protected.
Do I sign a contract?
You will be asked to sign a contract which is legally binding and will protect both you and I. The contract will
be specific to your child's care.
What information do you keep about me/my child?
The setting uses an online management system called Baby Days. Each parent will be giving a login ID and password specific to their child(ren). All information held about your child can be viewed and updated here.
Can I come to visit you to help me decide whether to use your service?
Yes. I would ask that you and your child come to visit. It is important for you to see how your child and I interact. I am a parent myself, and am open to questions you may have, please feel free to note down anything you wish to ask and bring this along to our first visit. If you think of further questions after our visit, you are more than welcome to phone or email me. Deciding who will care for your child is a big decision!
How do you ease the settling in period?
Getting used to a new carer can be difficult for some children and can be upsetting for parents. We will work together to help your child settle in. We can do this with several visits, to begin with you may stay with your child, gradually leaving him/her for longer spells until he/she is happy.