Claire

About Me

I work with my partner Vincent Simpson, who is also an Ofsted registered childminder (2012). We live in Burley, Leeds, with our youngest of five children Gabriel (19) & our cat Newcat. We work only with Early Years, and do no pickups or dropoffs to schools or any other settings, meaning that our children's day together is uninterrupted. Our Victorian through-terrace is large - but the gardens not so much, so almost every day includes time spent outdoors at our local parks and woodland, exploring further afield as well. Frequent trips make the most of the space at Kirkstall Abbey, Armley Mills, Bramley Fall, Woodhouse Moor - and we do regular visits by bus and train into Leeds, exploring the city and visiting the museum, library and art gallery. We have mornings of exploration and activities with our childminding group, and attend local playgroups too. Kirkstall Community Farm is a favourite! Back at home there's the opportunity for play and exploration in the outdoor kitchen and sandpit, and for quieter play, reading, small world, exploring paint, sand and water. Meals are home-cooked, although in the summer we're frequently out for the day with a picnic!
We update parents individually with info and photos during the day - but our setting has no online presence.

What do our current parents think?

19/02/22 17:50
Our daughter has been incredibly happy with Claire and Vince. She started with them just before she turned one and will be 2 in the coming month. She sees their house as her home from home and always looks forward to going each day. Claire and Vince work incredibly hard with all the children to help them to develop and grow into independent happy little people, and we have seen our daughter come on in leaps and bounds whilst being in their care. Feedback is timely and they are both very easy to talk to, making communication very natural. Photos are sent dailly showing all the children having fun. Our daughter eats nutritious meals and is always encouraged to be independent with this, but supported where needed. The children have so many different experiences, both inside the house and out and about. Claire and Vince are fabulous at getting the children to learn new things and skills in a fun and exciting way. We are incredibly happy with the care they provide for our daughter and will be sending our baby soon their way when the time comes!
A.S.

28/02/22 19:15
My daughter started with Claire and Vince at just over 7months old, she's now 4yrs old and has always skipped into the setting happy and returned to me more than happy at the end of the day. My son now goes as well and both children are always excited and look forward to 'claire and vince days'.
We appreciate all the outdoor and off-site experiences offered to our children along with the thought out activities provided in their home. We couldn't recommend highly enough, thank you !
R.W.
23/02/22 12:40

Parent recommendation

Claire and Vince have been part of our lives for about the past eight years.
All of our four children have been enjoying/are enjoying their pre-school time in the wonderful setting that C&V provide. Our children were between the ages 1 and 2 when they each started, and our youngest daughter is currently still with them twice a week.
The best possible way to describe how much all of children love/d their time at C&V, is to quote the often heard disappointment: "I wish I could go to Claire's and Vince's today!"
The days at C&V provide excitement (seeing their friends AND Claire and Vince) inspiration (visiting museums, exploring outdoors), establishing routines (going to playgroups) and lots and lots of age appropriate learning (" disguised" as fun and without any pressure).
The three of our children who are now at primary school had been given a great start for joining school: Well socialised, equipped with lots of confidence and knowledge from their time spent with Vince and Claire. Independence, e.g. getting coats and shoes on, hand washing etc has been promoted from day one and our children have all benefitted hugely from being in such a wonderful setting, having bonded easily with C&V and other children. The emotional support and safety shines through and we never "had to make" them go and they are usually quite worn out after a day of having so much fun.
Claire and Vince have always provided lovely feedback at the end of the day and happily supported us with further input through times of toilet training, learning walking or whatever stage one of ours was currently going through.
The days are well planned, include delicious meals and healthy snack times and C&V were happy to include special dietary requests. Much to our kids' disappointment, I still have not managed to match Vince's Macccaroni cheese :)
Throughout Covid times all required protocols and measures were in place and well communicated, so we never felt unsafe.
Throughout the day we will receive photos of activities of the crew (always a much appreciated highlight in a boring day at work) and Vince and Claire regularly send emails with photos and updates.
Each term Vince and Claire make a booklet (coming home printed on request) that shows the highlights of the crew from the past term: Birthdays, someone starting crawling, standing up, special visits and activities and generally documenting the crew. The sheer joy on the children's faces is marvellous to see. We kept all these booklets and have quite a little library now.

We highly recommend Claire and Vince as childminders!
To end with a famous quote of one of our children: "Claire and Vince do not have a real job, they just have fun!"
They certainly make childcare look easy and we are thankful for all the years they played such an important part of all our lives.

MrsB