Anja Dix
Childminder in Southfields
Female Member since May 2010 Last Updated Oct 2024 Last Login Oct 2024
My Summary
About Me
We are a husband and wife team of Ofsted Registered Childminders based Sutherland Grove, Southfields, SW18. We are passionate about giving children the care they deserve. We are called Home Grown Little Acorn as we want to give the children in our care the same care they would receive at home. Also from little acorns mighty oaks grow, which is our motto and we take our role in helping to shape these future acorn trees seriously. We specialise in children under the age of 3 years, although some end up loving it so much they don't want to leave until they are 4 and ready for reception.
My husband (Ryan) and I have two lovely children, aged 15 years and 17 years old. After having our son I decided to register as a Childminder as I saw so many of my friends facing the challenge of finding someone who will not only care for their children but love them and care for them with enthusiasm and excitement. This was the best thing I could ever have done as I absolutely love minding! Ryan joined me in 2017 as he saw the impact I had on the kids and they always loved having him around when working from home, so it seemed like a good idea. This has been an exciting new venture and we haven't looked back, we feel that having our two different personalities and qualities has had a positive impact on the children as they all seem to settle faster and are happy and content coming to us.
We have a garden which the kids just love with some play equipment (water tray, trampoline, playhouse, slide frame, swing), ride on toys, balls and racquets ect. Weather permitting the kids spend a lot of their time in the garden if we are home.
We do plenty of fun activities, including: painting and crafts, baking, dancing and singing, creative play, water, sand, play dough and other messy play and trips to the park. We also attend great local playgroups all year and visit the local Animal farm or Chessington to see the animals and go on the carousel whenever possible, throughout the year. We both have a full clean driving licence and use the car with multimac car seats for transport to these and are fully insured.
We love the challenges each child brings and finding new and exciting ways of helping them to learn and develop into well balanced, confident and caring children.
At Home Grown we believe children need to be children and must have the opportunity to explore their surroundings in a safe environment and we encourage the children to experience the different objects and textures around them. Children have always been a passion for us and we believe that raising them/ minding them is such an important role. Our daily efforts, interactions and care is what shapes their lives. Forming positive attachments is crucial in children's development and we aim to give the children in our care a positive and nurturing relationship to help them thrive.
We provide quality, engaging, fun childminding in a safe, warm and loving environment. If you would like more details or to arrange a visit then we would love to hear from you. We pride ourselves on being an exceptional childminding team and knowing that the children we mind love coming to us every day. All the parents we have minded for are happy to give references.
My Experience
Parent to two amazing, determined and loving children.
We have excellent references from the parents we have minded for and I've been minding since March 2009, Ryan since April 2017.
Volunteered in Childrens groups and as a Sunday School Teacher.
My Qualifications
We are both registered with Ofsted with a Good rating at last inspection in 2019.
We are on WANDSWORTH Childcare Register, which can be found online.
Registered with the Information Commissioners office and insured by Morten Michel Insurance
We both have:
- Up to date enhanced DBS check
- Full Paediatric First Aid Certificates
- Child Safeguarding level 3 course
- Allergens course
- Autism Awareness course
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Anja has completed the following courses:
Level 3 Edexel Qualification in Childcare
Level 3 Diploma in Home-Based Childcare
Healthy Wandsworth Childminder Accreditation
Level 2 Food Safety in Catering Certificate
Supporting physical development in early years
Mathematics in early years
Effective curriculum and assessment
Supporting children's personal, social and emotional development
Supporting language development in early years
Understanding child development and the EYFS
Brain development and how children learn
Positive Relationships - Effective Communication,
Helping Children to manage their own behaviour,
Practical Play for Childminders,
EYFS made simple and EYFS for Childminders
EYFS Areas of Learning & Development Knowledge & Understanding of the World,
EYFS Observation, Assessment and Planning.
Boost - Nutrition and health
Boost - play through physical activities
EYFS Progress Check at age 2
Obesity, the whole picture
Understanding Autism
Prevent Duty
MACATON taster session
Introducing childcare practice
Delivering physical activity
FGM course
GDPR Made simple
Prevention of radicalisation
Breast ironing course
Ryan has completed the following courses:
Level 3 Award in preparing to work in a home based setting
Level 3 Award in Home Based Childcare
Level 2 Basic food hygiene
Raising developmental concerns with parents
Schemas
Supporting children with speech, language and communication needs
Expectations of behaviour
Effective partnership working with Fathers
My Availability
TERM TIME ONLY 3 or 4 days a week 7:30am to 5:30pm, Mon - Wed or Mon - Thurs
TERM TIME ONLY - This means that we only work during Wandsworth's school term dates, not during the school holidays, which equates to about 12 weeks a year that we are closed.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| After School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 27/01/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £10.00 per hour
Includes: food, drink (accept formula), outings, nappies & wipes, please enquire for further information
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 24/11/2020)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Anja Dix. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk members 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.
I first reviewed Anja and Ryan when my eldest (14 months at the time) had been going there for a few months. Since then, my youngest has also joined and we continue to be as happy as ever with the care that they provide. I have recommended them to so many friends and we always know that they provide a loving, nurturing and stimulating environment for the little ones they look after. We have never considered another childcare provider! Thank you, Anja and Ryan.
Emily and Henry
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Emily
on 03/03/2023
Response by
Anja Dix
on 03/03/2023:
Thank you so much Emily and Henry it’s been such a blessing to mind your lovely kiddies. They have brought us so much joy over the years.
We felt totally comfortable leaving our son at 13 months old because Anja and Ryan provide such a loving environment and really put us at ease on his settling in sessions. We do not need to worry about him during the day because we know he is so well looked after and they really care about every child they mind.
What we love is the homely feel combined with socialising that he gets with the 5/6 other children. The little ones all seem to be good friends and get excited when they see each other!
They send us photo updates across the day so we know what he’s up to and can talk to him about the things he has done that day. If we have any questions, they always make time to answer and seem more than happy to do so. They use an app to share daily notes with us about his day. We were amazed by the level of detail and absolutely love reading them each evening.
A couple of other highlights are the home cooked meals he gets every day and loves! Also, every child has their own room and travel cot to sleep in so he has napped really well there from the very beginning. As well as these, he has been on a few trips including Deen City Farm and Chessington Zoo which we think is a fantastic bonus.
Overall we are thrilled that we found Anja and Ryan and are looking forward to Robbie starting his second year with them in September.
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VSinnott
on 22/07/2022
We were looking for someone to take care of our now 16 month old during the pandemic and Anja and Ryan have been amazing. Our son is a lockdown baby and has been there since he was 9 months and we can’t imagine him being anywhere else.
They provide a safe and fun environment with lovely home cooked meals and lots of opportunities to explore and play. We receive daily updates of them singing, reading, painting, playing in the garden (they have an amazing garden), visiting the park, and farm. It feels like a family away from our family and I know how fun his day has been with his friends.
Being parents for the first time and during the pandemic with minimal medical and family support they have been a huge support to us. Answering our questions, updating us on development milestones, and being genuinely lovely people. We can’t recommend them enough.
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Louise
on 14/07/2021
We feel so lucky to have found Anja and Ryan last year when our daughter, Carly, was 7 months old. They have created such a happy, caring and homely environment in which she has thrived over the past 15 months.
She has so much fun with her small group of friends each day and loves Anja and Ryan to bits. They are brilliant at keeping us updated on daily activities via whatsapp - singing, painting, reading, playground and farm trips and messy play in the garden.
Given that full days are long for little ones, I really wanted to find a childminder offering a homely environment where Carly would feel like one of the family. Anja and Ryan provide just this.
I feel so at ease knowing that she is in their care and would recommend them wholeheartedly.
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DawnMC
on 01/12/2020
We love Anja and Ryan and most importantly so does our 19month old daughter. She is loved and cared for like a member of the family. They provide loads of great activities including outdoor activities in their great garden, arts and crafts, walks to the park, song times and story times.
Alice always gets a lovely home cooked meal and even has her own room to nap in.
She greets them at the door with a big smile every day and loves every minute. She has made great progress with them and they always share important next steps with us.
Communication is great with loads of daily photos and a daily account including food/nappies/nap times.
We couldn’t have found better care for our daughter and know she is loved dearly!
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BeckyO
on 25/11/2020
Our 17 month old son has been part-time with Anja and Ryan since September of this year and we are very happy with their childcare. We love that our son is in a homely environment - he does arts and crafts, lots of outdoor activities and reading....it feels very personal and Anja and Ryan are excellent at communicating with us regularly.
It’s a big relief to know he is so well looked after and happy, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone else!
Emily and Henry
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Emilygkd
on 24/11/2020
Can’t recommend Ryan and Anja enough. We were looking for a friendly home based environment to care for our son and that’s exactly what we found. They are really caring and kind towards the children they have and our son was always really happy when we picked him up. They have also cared for our primary school age daughter before and after school.
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Aimie
on 03/11/2019
Response by
Anja Dix
on 19/11/2019:
Ah thank you so much Aimie, they have both been such a delight to mind and we are so honoured to have played a part in caring for them.
We can't recommend Anjya and Ryan enough. They have looked after our eldest since he turned one and we consider them part of the family. It is a house full or joy and love and it is clear that all the children adore their time there. When our so had an awkward clingy stage after the birth of our second anja and Ryan were proactive to find solutions and it disappeared very quickly. He couldn't love being there more and our second starts there in the new year.
Days include lots of games, educational play, song, arts & crafts and general fun. Food is all homemade and healthy.
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Fergus
on 30/10/2019
Response by
Anja Dix
on 30/10/2019:
Thank you Fergus, we love having your little one with us, he is such a delight!
We are so happy with the care that Ryan an Anja provide our girls. From settling in to potty training, they have been amazing. The children look forward to seeing them on a Monday morning and love telling us the great fun they have been up to. We appreciate the friendly advice coming from parents with children older than ours. We also like the fact that they take the children out everyday and use local playgroups to socialise. Great food as well. What more could we ask for!
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JoannaAk
on 29/01/2019
Response by
Anja Dix
on 19/11/2019:
Thanks Joanna, your girls are amazing and have become such a part of the family. We love having them.
We feel so lucky to of found Anja & Ryan @HGLA to look after our 2 year old son and he is over the moon! Having never been at nursery or a childminder before we were obviously prepared for him to take time to settle in, but, Anja & Ryan’s unique, home-from-home setting meant he loved being there pretty much straight away. Not only do they provide a very warm, friendly & clean environment - with lots of playgroup visits, arts & crafts sessions, healthy home cooked food to each child having their own room to nap in (a unique bonus) - they are also extremely professional. Their communication is exceptional - we love the daily detailed reports and progression observations, taking the time to understand your child’s personality and interests. They really are a brilliant team and I can’t wait for my youngest child to be old enough to go to HGLA too!
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zebalowe
on 28/01/2019
Response by
Anja Dix
on 19/11/2019:
Thanks Zeba, we have loved every minute with your children, they are so lovely. We look forward to many more days together.
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