Esme
Childminder in Downham Market
Usually responds within 2 hours
Female Member since Sep 2010 Last Updated Apr 2025 Last Login 17 Apr 2025
My Summary
About Me
I am Esme, I am an Ofsted registered Childminder based in Downham Market. I live with my husband who is a full time police officer currently working on the safer schools partnership and our two daughters who attend the local primary and secondary schools. We also live with our family cat Molly!
I treat all children as individuals and encourage them to be confident and independent. I will strive to provide your child with an environment that will be caring, fun and stimulating.
My aim is to plan a responsive enriched curriculum which is centred around the children I care for.
Parents can feel assured that children left in my care will be stimulated, well cared for and happy. It is important to me that parents can leave their most treasured possessions knowing they are in safe hands and having a positive, enjoyable experience.
My Experience
I have always found caring for children enjoyable and rewarding so, after my first Daughter was born in 2009, I decided to leave my career as a sales executive and become a full-time Childminder so that I could spend time doing what I love during the day whilst helping other parents by providing a safe, fun and supportive environment for their children.
My hobbies include walking, crafting, cooking and baking! I love being outdoors which is reflected in my childminding practice, along with providing homecooked healthy nutritious food.
I have testimonials written from past and present parents and am more than happy to share these.
My Qualifications
EYFS Training:
Early Years Foundation Stage Training for Childminders
Introduction to childcare practice (Home based) CACHE Level 3 Diploma Unit T/103/4625 (This is part of the accredited qualification)
DFE Early Years Child Development Training - Understanding Child Development in the EYFS
DFE Early Years Child Development Training - Brain development and how children learn
DFE Early Years Child Development Training - Supporting children's personal, social and emotional development
DFE Early Years Child Development Training - Supporting language development in the early years
DFE Early Years Child Development Training - Supporting physical development in the early years
DFE Early Years Child Development Training - Mathematics
DFE Early Years Child Development Training - Effective curriculum and assessment
Transitions and Starting Points
Key Person Approach
Planning a curriculum for children in the EYFS
Extending children's learning - rich & stimulating small world role play
Creating quality spaces for two year olds in the EYFS
Safeguarding Training:
Local Safeguarding Children Board Training – Updated every 3 years
Prevent training
Norfolk graded care profile training
Safeguarding lead practitioner training
TQUK Level 2 certificate in Understanding children and young people's mental health (RFQ)
Health and Safety Training:
First Aid for Childcare Practitioners – Updated every 3 years
Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2 (Catering) – Updated every 3 years
Food Hygiene Rating 5*
Nutrition:
Practical nutrition for early years practitioners: Foundation course
I also attended regular webinar continual professional development sessions.
Certificates can be seen on request
Other qualifications
Higher National Diploma (HND) – Business Studies - Distinction
A Level English Language
Diploma of Vocational Education Providing Business Service - Distinction
GCSE's Grades C and above
Business Training and Awards
Reed Learning Personal Effectives Course - 2008
Reed Learning Consultative Selling Course - 2008
Special Achievement Business Studies Award - 1998
Communication with Business Award - 1998
My Availability
Please contact me for up to date vacancies. Please message me or visit my website.
I offer childcare from 3 months old.
Before and After school care with drop off & pick up from Hillcrest Primary School.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Morning | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 01/04/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £4.80 per hour
Between 7am and 5.30pm - £4.80 per hour
Fee's include: Healthy snacks, drinks, breakfast, homemade lunch and evening meal if required. Transfers to and from playgroup and school.
I offer government funded childcare, 15 and 30 hours per week depending on eligibility, tax free childcare and workplace childcare vouchers.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any requirements outside of these days/hours. I always do my best to accommodate parents working patterns/shift work.
Before and after school care - Hillcrest school only
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School
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
- Basic Disclosure Check (added 18/03/2018)
- Ofsted Certificate (added 17/03/2018)
- Training Certificate: Effective curriculum and assessment (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Mathematics (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Supporting physical development in the early years (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Supporting language development in the early years (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Supporting children’s personal, social and emotional development (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Brain development and how children learn (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Understanding child development and the EYFS (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Healthy Nutrition for Life Workshops (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Environments in Early Years (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Practical Nutrition for Early Years Practitioners Foundation Course (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Extending Children’s Learning, Rich and Stimulating Small World Role Play (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Planning a curriculum for children in the EYFS (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Key Person Approach (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Prevent (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Early Years Foundation Stage Training for Childminders (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering (added 23/10/2024)
- Training Certificate: Introduction to Safeguarding Children (added 23/10/2024)
- First Aid Certificate: FAA Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (added 23/10/2024)
- Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination (added 30/03/2022)
- Exam Certificate: TQUK Level 2 Understanding children and young people’s mental health (RFQ) (added 30/03/2022)
- Training Certificate: Cache Level 3 Diploma in home based Childcare (added 21/05/2020)
- Training Certificate: Introduction to Childcare Practice (added 21/05/2020)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Esme. 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 cannot recommend Little Squiggles Childcare enough, and especially the incredible childminder - Esme. From the moment my daughter started attending at just 6 months old, we have felt nothing but confidence and gratitude for the care and nurturing environment provided. Now, at 6 years old, our daughter has still be attending during school holidays. She thrived under Esme’s guidance, growing into a confident, curious, and happy little girl.
Esme at Little Squiggles truly goes above and beyond. She has been a constant source of warmth, kindness, and encouragement. Every day, our daughter looks forward to her time there, and it’s clear that she’s not just cared for, but deeply valued. The communication between us has always been excellent — we received detailed updates on our daughter’s progress, activities, and milestones, which gives us peace of mind and ensures we’re always in the loop.
The activities and learning opportunities provided at Little Squiggles have been fantastic. From arts and crafts to outdoor adventures, Esme really knows how to balance fun with educational moments. Our daughter has learned so much, and it's been wonderful to see how much she’s enjoyed every aspect of her time there.
It’s hard to put into words how much we appreciate all the love and care our daughter has received. Little Squiggles has been a huge part of her childhood, and we are so thankful for the positive impact Esme had on her development.
As an Early Years Practitioner myself in a mainstream Primary School, I have always 100% trusted Esme with my beautiful girl.
If you're looking for a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for your child, Little Squiggles is absolutely the place to be!
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emma4219
on 16/04/2025
Esme has been looking after my youngest since he was a year old when I returned to work. The settling in period was great and he settled in well, making friends and taking part in lots of fun activities, meeting our childcare requirements while helping with school readiness. He now goes before and after school and has a great time, is settled and happy in the setting. Esme is very passionate and brilliant at what she does, lots of fun activities and adventures for the children.
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Leanne
on 15/04/2025
Esme has been our son's childminder for just under a year and if we were not relocating we would still be very much using her until our son started school in September.
Esme has been amazing and our son adores her and her family. Dropping him off each time, he cannot wait to run in and get started!
I would reccommend Esme at Little Squiggles as she is reliable, fun and incredibly loving towards all her mindees.
She provides a very safe, warm learning environment and our son has always eaten incredibly well there! A fantastic home from home.
We are absolutely gutted to be leaving her, but know she will be a treasure for another family.
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by
Parent
on 25/10/2014
My son has been going to Esme's for 2 years now and he sees her house as a second home.
She is always so welcoming and cheerful, I don't think I have ever seen her in anything but a good mood. Every morning she welcomes Evan into her house with a smile and is always interested in what he has to tell her. She has looked after Evan since he was 1 and so has been part of his development in so many ways. She helped as he learnt to talk and more recently she was a big help when it came to toilet training. Nothing is too much trouble for her and she is always very supportive with anything we want to do/try.
Evan has a lovely time with Esme and often asks to go and play at her house on my days off!
Esme has a lovely family all of whom engage with Evan as though he were part of their family. He is a big fan of Dave who always goes out of his way to chat/play with Evan when he is home.
I would recommend Esme to anyone who is looking for a childminder.
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PaulaBut
on 03/08/2013
I'm so pleased that I found Little Squiggles as our childminder. Esme has looked after our son since he was 9 months old. Esme provides a happy, safe, stimulating environment and our son settled in immediately. His days are always filled with lots of activities and we are always given a detailed written report of what he has been up to all day. He always has healthy, homecooked meals and it really does feel like a home-from-home for him.
I am 100% satisfied with the care provided by Little Squiggles and have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Esme. I wouldn't take my son to anyone else.
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by
Parent
on 01/08/2013
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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.
