Opal
Childminder in Southwark (also available for babysitting)
Usually responds within 12 hours
Female Member since Oct 2013 Last Updated Nov 2024 Last Login 20 Nov 2024
My Summary
About Me
Hi my name is Diane Brandford-Hinds, I am a married mother of two; aged 22 and 18... I am an OFSTED registered childminder since 2005. My husband is also OFSTED registered and work along side me as my assistant.
We live 4 minutes walk from Nunhead train station; with free parking outside our house. We provide a warm, stimulating and inviting home from home care, where children will be loved, supported and feel comfortable to learn, play, develop and explore. We have a child friendly garden with a sheltered decking area that maximise outdoor play whatever the weather. The activities we provide will be stimulating and age appropriate. We take the children out to local parks, libraries and other planned trips so they can access the wider community and socialise with other children. We love looking after children and always have their best wellbeing in mind as we support each child to be their best self.
I am an OFSTED accredited OUTSTANDING provision; which I am very proud off.
All training, qualifications and my OFSTED report are available for viewing on request.
I am an experienced driver with a clean driving licence, and I am insured to transport minded children in my car.
Checkable references are avalabe upon request. Please do not heasitate to give me a call to discuss your childcare requirements.
Thanks for taking the time to read my profile.
My Experience
I have cared for children since the age of 16 ( as a baby-sitter wish lead me to realise caring for young children is what I love doing best) I have two polite individuals of my own that gave me invaluable life experience as a mother/ care giver. I have also worked in nurseries prior to becoming a childminder, which also gave me a lot of experience from different personalities, and scenarios with little children.
My Qualifications
I have achieved a Level 2 and 3 National Vocation Qualification ( NVQ ) in children care and learning, a Level 3 in home based childminding... I have also completed all the relevant training in line with registration required by OFSTED.
My Availability
I am available Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. I am open during school holidays; NOT Bank holidays. I am also available for babysitting.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Evening | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 20/11/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £15.00 per hour
- Babysitting from £11.00 per hour
My fee is £70 per day which includes all meals.
My Local Schools
This childminder has not yet informed us whether or not they provide any drop off or pick up services at local schools.
My Ofsted Inspections
The inspection grades below have been obtained from the Ofsted website based upon the registration number the childminder has provided to us. You should verify this information yourself prior to using the childminder.
My Documents
- Ofsted Certificate (added 20/08/2021)
- Training Certificate (added 06/07/2019)
- First Aid Certificate (added 06/07/2019)
- UK Passport (added 06/07/2019)
- DBS Check (added 06/07/2019)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for opal. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk users and not of Childcare.co.uk. Parents must carry out their own checks and references on childcare providers to ensure that they are completely happy before enaging in the use of their services.
Diane and Kevin had our son from just before he turned one until he was 2.5 years old and we moved away. Taking him out of Diane and Kevin’s care was easily the hardest part about moving because they have been amazing. They demonstrate enormous love and affection at every turn and we both knew that he had the happiest day with them and his friends. Diane and Kevin were always extremely attentive and I know they made sure he was stimulated and engaged every day - he just adored his time with them. Diane and Kevin also looked after our eldest when she was younger, and that means that every now and then she got to see Diane and Kevin after school - always the highlight of her day. I couldn’t recommend them highly enough.
Overall-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Sophie
about
opal
on 22/09/2024
Response by
opal
on 22/09/2024:
Hi Sophie,
Thanks much for your review I greatly appreciate all you had to say about the care and support we gave your little ones. It was our pleasure having them when we did.
Take care.
Diane
I’m incredibly grateful to Dianne and Kevin for making Sid’s first experience in childcare faultless. I was very nervous about how it would all work but Dianne planned a great settling in process and he settled quickly and happily to much relief. He ate really well, with a wide variety of healthy meals. He bonded brilliantly with the other children and enjoyed the various activities Dianne planned for them. He especially loved going to the Transport Museum! Dianne was so flexible with us when we needed extra care, always willing to help.
I also really enjoyed our funny chats when I collected him at the end of the day.
Dianne and Kevin have fostered a lovely, warm, nourishing setting and I felt lucky that Sid was there.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
Our daughter has been with Diane and Kevin since just before her first birthday and has loved every minute in their care. Diane and Kevin’s home is a place of warmth and love and affection - it is evident at every step how much they cherish the children in their care and offer them real love and guidance. Diane cooks varied and delicious meals, and our daughter always comes home talking about all her friends and the exciting things she has done during the day - they go out to local parks, on train journeys, to local music groups, they sing and dance at the the house, play for hours in the garden, do water play and art and cooking, and of course lots of reading. Diane is always an excellent source of advice and encouragement and we have always taken all our parenting questions to her. She knows our daughter so well and having that person in our daughter’s life has proved invaluable. Our daughter will be moving on to nursery just after she turns three and the thought of her no longer being with Diane and Kevin breaks my heart, but under their care she has flourished into a happy, confident and bright little girl and she’s ready for the next step. Sending our daughter to Diane and Kevin was the best decision we ever made!
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
I cannot speak more highly of Diane and her husband Kevin. The environment they have created in their home is warm and loving and full of fun, the inviting atmosphere immediately puts everyone at ease.
My daughter (who had previously struggled in larger environments) was happy from day one in Diane's home and I was relieved to receive lovely pictures and videos and updates throughout the day.
Diane cooks delicious nutritious meals and even prepares picnics which she takes to the local parks. Diane and Kevin somehow manage to create new fun, engaging and educational activities every day, my daughter regularly comes home with wonderful art that she's made. Diane regularly takes the children out to local parks and groups and she meets up with other local childminders so there is so much variety. It has been lovely to see our daughter meet lots of other children and make new friends of all ages.
Diane and Kevins outdoor space is amazing too, the perfect playground and also a place of beauty with vegetable patch, plants, flowers and a big lawn.
Diane and Kevin have a wealth of experience and are incredibly professional, caring and reassuring. They have been unbelievably flexible with us when we needed during tricky covid times. We couldn't feel luckier to have found her.
To feel that your child is in the best possible care means everything, we cannot recommend enough.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
Diane looked after our son from when he was 9/10 months old. We made the decision to switch from a nursery as we didn’t have a great experience there, and it was the best decision we made! Diane and Kevin are so warm and full of genuine affection for the children there. The environment is nurturing and full of opportunities for the children and our son blossomed there. The food was great and his allergies were catered for. They also went out on regular outings which was important to us. Diane also managed to build a great routine for him (as things were a bit chaotic before) which made my life easier as he regularly had a long afternoon nap with no trouble. We relocated out of London otherwise I would have kept him there for as long as I could. Definitely recommend.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
You must be a registered parent and logged in to leave a review.
If you don't have an account then Register Free now.
This profile has been produced from information provided to us by the user. We have not verified or confirmed the accuracy of any of the information and members should undertake their own vigorous checks and references. Please ensure you read our Safety Advice and information on how to Check Childcare Provider Documents.
