Michelle
Childminder in Newbury (also available for babysitting)
Usually responds within 2 days
Female Member since Jun 2010 Last Updated Jan 2025 Last Login 01 Feb 2025
My Summary
Pickles And Poppets Childcare
About Me
Hi my names is Michelle Alsbury, trading as Pickles and Poppets childcare. I am a registered child-minder and regulated by ofsted. I have two wonderful assistants Lisa and Amber who are employed full time and we make an amazing team!
We have a grading of Good with areas of outstanding in our last inspection .I have a purpose built cabin that's light and airy and full of activities and toys for all ages.
I offer a plastic limited setting and encourage play with natural wooden resources.
The list of activities we enjoy are but not limited to:
*Arts and craft
*Role play
*Lets pretend,
*Music,
*Sand/water,
*Physical games,
*Board games,
*Baking,
*Junk modelling,
*Play doh,
*Home corner with fully equipped kitchen with real resources such as rice, pasta, lentils. Metallic pots and pans and wooden realistic food items.
The cabin is set out like a miniature nursery with the best of both worlds offering the close nurturing environment of home from home but with the use of excellent resources. The setting boasts self select open plan white shelves to provide freedom of choice. We are a child focussed setting that is child centred in the approach to delivering the EYFS curriculum.
I spend a lot of time outside with my little learners and implement & enjoy a Forrest school ethos!
Our garden is large with lots to do e.g.. Tree house with tubular curly slide, climbing wall, ladders, play dens with mud kitchens. Full set of wooden swings, rope ladders, trape bar/rings and 2 person rocking swing.The children have access to their own play shed where they can self select sports equipment to play on their own or with friends. A home corner, chalk boards, painting aisle , rideons, pop up tents, bug finding resources , water tray funnels/guttering and lots lots more!!
We keep a variety of pets, to include x2 very soft labradores Woody & Buzz ( yes from Toy Story) and x1 cat called Terry. - i have 4 horses (Zumie, Leo, Kody and Nettie) that are obviously not kept at the house.
The children love to help look after the animals and pet them on a regular basis. We are very outdoorsey and often take activities outside.I regularly take the children out to local parks and also enjoy nature walks to learn about our environment, we often take the bug finders and explore what we've found and look them up in books. Regular trips to baby/toddler groups, soft play providers and childminder drop ins. I very much enjoy and take part in Forrest schools as the children love this and thrive in such environments (Theres no such thing as inappropriate weather, just inappropriate clothing!)
I work to the latest in EYFS (Early years foundation stage curriculum) and we are regulated by Ofsted. I work on encouraging positive behaviour by using praise, incentives and reward. I am a very happy person and enjoy working with children. I provide snack twice a day which is organic fruit and veg and occasionally the odd biscuit as i try to avoid sugars where possible. Any further info needed please get in touch.
My Experience
I am a 42 year old mum of 4 girls aged 24,20,16 &8 yrs. We have a lot of fun together ,my eldest is away at university studying educational psychology, my 20myear old is currently employed as an assistant and my teenage daughter is at secondary school studying her A-levels and my youngest attends a local Church of England school.
I have been running my childcare business for nearly 16 years, i am fully qualified as an Early years practitioner. I have an excellent understanding of early years care and development and i really enjoy watching my little learners grow into confident, curious and outgoing people.
I love to ensure all my small people are ready for lifes natural transitions such as to preschool, primary school or personal milestones.
I have a level 3 in health and social care as i was previously a nurse in a hospital setting caring for patients with end of life care.The nursing side of my experience comes in very handy when it comes to understanding childhood illness and im quick to notice the smallest signs of ill health by knowing my children i care for inside and out! Prior to my nursing career i was a qualified surgical dental nurse for 8 years.
Im up to date with all required training as well as further personal development, recently i have taken a course in Attachment in the early years and now implement this into my setting, i love to learn even as and adult im always seeking ways to improve my business.
My Qualifications
Fully qualified: L3 DIPLOMA EARLY YEARS AND YOUNG PEOPLES WORKFORCE.
I have the minding your own business course for childminders which is run by the local council.
Advanced Paediatric first aid
I have level 2 food and hygiene
I am just studying Montessori to gain the qualification.
Autistic spectrum disorder certificate.
Behavor managment
Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum training.
Learning through play course.
Safeguarding children and adults.
Makaton sign with music
James my husband is DBS checked and approved by Oftsed to work with me as an assistant. But not currently using this as he is an electrician/maintenance engineer.
Not related to childcare qualifications...
I am a fully qualified surgical dental nurse for 8 years (NEBDN registered)
I am nvq 3 qualified in health and social care.
Medication administration certificate.
Manual handling certificate
Adult first aid and advanced resuscitation certificate.
I have many more but won't waffle on!
My Availability
I have the following vacancies - 4 full time spaces Monday- Friday as we have preschool aged children transitioning to school come September 2025. please do get in touch if I can be of any help.
Please note i no longer offer wrap around care for schools or preschools as we are focussed on early years development only..
Our opening hours are: Monday to Friday 7:30-16:30pm and Fridays 8:00-16:30 we have a minimum requirement of 3 full days per week to attend our setting. We do also offer Term time only contracts welcome and happy to accept funded hours too. We accept tax free childcare payments as well.
| 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 | 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: 28/01/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Babysitting from £12.50 per hour
- Childminding from £7.10 per hour
*I charge £7.10 per hour
*Full time daily rate is £70.35 per day this includes snacks, nappies, wipes and any outings. Children can provide their own lunches- we are happy to heat up . Or we can provide them at £4.00 per meal. Our meals are nutritionally balanced and are firm favourites
* Funding: our funded hours/sessions are 8:00-13:00 Monday to Thursday. We only accept 15hrs funding.
Afternoon sessions from 13:00-16:30pm are £40 per session this includes snacks, nappies, wipes and any outings etc.
* Emergency or adhoc days available short notice.
* Baby sitting fees are £12 per hour and £15 after midnight.
Please note 50% of a month fees are needed to secure a place (x2 weeks).
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 10/07/2024)
- DBS Check (added 10/07/2024)
- UK Driving Licence (added 10/07/2024)
- Childminding Agency Certificate (added 06/04/2021)
- Exam Certificate: L3 qualification (added 10/07/2024)
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