Darlings
Childminder in Chertsey
Female Member since Aug 2014 Last Updated Nov 2024 Last Login 25 Jan 2025
My Summary
About Me
I am a childminder based at my home in Chertsey, next to St Peter's Hospital.
I want to provide a flexible and positive home-from-home environment for children where they can feel safe, play, learn and build friendships. Children in my care will be treated with love and respect, they will learn about personal safety, healthy eating, regular circle time and plenty of outdoor and messy play.
The children and I go on regular outings to the library, local parks, fruit picking, farms, cinema, soft play & play centres, toddler groups and many seasonal activities.
I have a large 3 bedroom home within a two minute walk of Meadowcroft Infants School, with a dedicated playroom for the children, a large kitchen for the children to do cooking and baking. A good sized enclosed rear garden for lots of outdoor play (during nice weather we spend most of our time in the fresh air), a downstairs toilet for ease of use and regular handwashing, and a quiet room should your child take naps during the day (they can also use the lounge for quiet/rest time if they wish).
My Experience
As a mother I understand how hard it is to hand your children over to someone when you have to go to work or have other commitments. You worry that they’re not going to get the care and attention that you would give them yourself. I struggled with these feelings every day as I dropped my child off at his carer’s. I love to be in the company of children, I am an energetic person and love to be involved in their activities. I enjoy watching them learn and will support them as I would my own child. I have two young children of my own and they have certainly given me a wealth of experience in childcare, I have also completed numerous courses in Early Years Care, ChIP, Advanced Safeguarding Children, First Aid, Food Hygiene, Health & Safety.... and many more!
My Qualifications
Ofsted Registered
Enhanced CRB Checked
Early Years Childcare - Level 3
Level 5 Teaching Early Years
Paediatric First Aid
SEN experience
British Sign Language & Makaton - Level 2 Diploma
American Sign Language - Level 2 Diploma
Advanced Child Protection
SEND - Code of Practice
First Aid Management
Improving Learning Through Play
Level 2 Promoting Positive Behaviour
Level 2 Mental Capacity
GDPR
Level 2 Children's Rights
Equality & Inclusion
Supporting Children with SEND
Reflective Practice
FGM Awareness
Dyslexia Awareness
ADHD Awareness
Autism Awareness
Level 2 Supporting Early Language Development
Adult Life Support
ChIP Certified
Advanced Safeguarding Children
Advanced Safeguarding Adults
Sustained Shared Thinking
Nutrition - Healthy Food & Special Diets
Food Safety & Hygiene
Advanced Health & Safety
P.R.E.V.E.N.T
Vulnerable Adults and Young People
My Availability
Little Darlings offers:
Full-time care
Part-time care
Emergency cover
Breakfast/After school care (pick-up/drop-off to Meadowcroft)
School holidays
Bank holidays
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Before School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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: 28/11/2024 |
My Fees
- Childminding from £8.00 per hour
Please contact me through childcare.co.uk
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 20/04/2020)
Reviews
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Darlings. 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.
Zoe is the best. Lovely, warm & flexible. She’s been very engaged in making sure my son’s special needs are met and showers all of us with love on a daily basis. 5 stars; highly recommend. 😊
by Alison on 14/06/2024
I cannot recommend Zoe enough, I truly believed it would take my 2 year old son months to get settled in giving how shy he is but after his first day there he absolutely loves it! He is thriving despite only going 2 days per week he has become alot more social, interactive and confident with other children and adults, he asks me every morning as soon as he wakes up if he can go to Zoes house today.
She is never short of activities and fun things to do. Zoe puts so much time, effort and love into the children that are in her care and my son absolutely adores her!
From the first viewing I knew that she would be the perfect childminder to send my son to and I was definitely right!
by Emma on 04/06/2024
Response by Darlings on 04/06/2024:
Thank you Emma, you are so kind. Your boy is a dream to look after and I’m so pleased he is so excited to come and play with his friends. I love having such a good relationship with my families xx
Where do I begin?
From the moment my little one met Zoe I knew they would be the best of friends.
His socialising has improved incredibly.
He’s always around friends and other kids.
She’s incredible. Whenever I get him out that car he smiles because Zoe is his space place and that makes my heart so happy.
I am so lucky to have found her.
She makes food fresh each day and explores so many new and different ways to teaching and encouraging children.
by Maggiec on 04/06/2024
Response by Darlings on 04/06/2024:
Thanks so much, it is a pleasure to have your treasure. 🥰
As soon as I met Zoe, I knew I wanted her to take care of my son. She was warm, welcoming and so genuine in her approach to taking care of children (and her house is absolutely immaculate with the most beautiful playroom for the kids) I'm a really anxious mum but Zoe has always taken the time to reassure me, and keep me updated about my son, I really couldn't have asked for more.
Zoe cooks the most amazing homecooked meals and my son gets out and about on many adventures, along with participating in lots of crafty activities which has been amazing for him. Even my daughter who is at another childcare provider absolutely loves Zoe and that's just from the drop-off and pick-up interaction! I cannot thank Zoe enough for everything shes done for us and Jesse :)
by Natasha on 17/04/2023
I can honestly say Zoe is hands down the best childminder I could have hoped for. Not only does she cater for children's individual needs, she is patient, fun and never short of activities. I was anxious going back to work and leaving my daughter in someone else's care, and Zoe was incredible. Full of reassurance and constantly updating me on progress, including lots of lovely photos for our albums. She has provided another home for my daughter to thrive in and I'm grateful everyday for her.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Zoe as a childminder for anyone who is looking. You won't find anyone better!
by Nikki on 08/06/2021
Since our little girl has been with Zoe, she has become so much more confident. She absolutely loves going and always comes home with a huge smile on her face and is always bright and happy going to and leaving Zoe’s. Our daughter has been going for 2 years so far!
Zoe has such a positive effect on our daughter, and this is purely due to her amazing methods. She’s like our daughter’s second mum! Our daughter even calls her “My Zoe” and always comes home telling us about all the exciting things she has been doing through the day! Zoe provides a wide range of activities to do and we get some amazing work sent home (including cakes which never make it home as they get eaten in the car)!!
I work full time and my hours change through the month, and Zoe has always been flexible with my needs.
During the last lockdown year, Zoe has been an amazing support to us as a family - thank you for looking after our little one and being a big part of our lives!!
by Steven on 27/04/2021
My son has been in Zoe’s care since January 2020. I have trusted her to look after him from the moment we met. She is so professional and her genuine interest in the well being of the children is always evident. Her home is perfectly set up for childminding. She has a wealth of teaching materials available to the children. I love seeing the photos of my son each week because he always seems to be interacting with something new. Zoe’s qualifications and experience as a childminder really set her apart, I think she’s just fantastic! Without a doubt, I would recommend Zoe as a childminder.
by Meaghan on 04/08/2020
Response by Darlings on 04/08/2020:
Thank you Meaghan, this has really made my day! Your son is an absolute pleasure xx
Zoe has been an absolute gem! As a full-time working mum, I wanted an at-home feeling for my daughter's childcare. Zoe provides this in bucket fulls. She is kind, caring and patient with the children. Zoe does an array of activities with them, indoors and outdoors. She provides them with a variety of nutritional food which she cooks herself (how she finds time to do this).
Additionally, as a first-time parent, her knowledge and down to earth advice has helped me so much. During the lockdown, she has continued to stay in contact with us with weekly newsletters and ideas for activities. I cannot recommend her enough.
by Emily on 23/04/2020
Response by Darlings on 24/04/2020:
Thank you very much for your kind review, looking forward to seeing you again soon x
We were very nervous about putting our daughter into childcare but Zoe made us feel very welcome and comfortable in her home and our daughter settled in straight away. Communication with Zoe is always very easy and she's been great at accommodating minor changes to our childcare requirements.
The little one is always happy to arrive at Zoe's and unhappy to leave!
by Ash on 22/04/2020
Firstly I would like to say a massive THANKYOU to Zoe, you have a real gift with children.
I found Zoe on this website and she was without doubt the best childminder I visited. Firstly her house was spotlessly clean (I can’t say that for many others I visited), she cooks amazing meals for my baby, I’m embarrassed to say they are much better than I do at home. Me and my baby have been working with Zoe for 9 weeks now and I love that we get daily diary entries and monthly observation reports.
I only wanted temporary childcare for two months but I’m happy to say that three weeks after our contract ended we still meet up every week because my baby misses Zoe, Elsie and the other children... and they miss us too 😘😘
I am currently looking for a permanent job and when I get that I will definitely be back for childcare 😘 THANKS from ‘us two’ xxx
by Parent on 19/02/2018
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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.