Sarah
Childminder in Staines-upon-Thames (also available for babysitting)
Usually responds within 12 hours
Female Member since May 2011 Last Updated Jun 2024 Last Login 22 Dec 2024
My Summary
About Me
I made the change from being a primary school teacher to a childminder and have no regrets. I love working with children.
The one consistent factor that I always loved about my teaching job was the ability to develop strong and positive relationships with the children and their parents. I have learned over the years that education is not just about the academic 'stuff' but that there is a whole host of areas that are just as important. I have successfully been able to transfer this to childminding.
I have always been in a position where I nurture the children in my care to try their hardest and take risks with their learning and development in order to progress. I believe that if children are made to feel worthy and are comfortable in their setting, then they will take these steps forward. I consider to be in a privileged position caring for other people's children and take this responsibility incredibly seriously. Children's self-esteem is also of paramount importance and I take great care to speak to children in a kind way. Boundaries are clearly set and are consistent for all children, which I always find ensures children are settled. We're such a settled group here that it's important that we find other children that fit in well with us - and I no longer accept children just to fill a vacancy. The children I care for are happy and feel safe in my home and that has to remain. I have very high expectations of behaviour.
I am married to Mark and we are a blended family. My own son, Alex, is 17 years old, and I always used childminders for him when he was young. We have 2 friendly and affectionate whippets but ensure segregation from the childminding children unless under strict supervision and parents are okay with this.
We are active Christians and my husband has recently been called as a pastor of a local church. Our intention is to step away from our full-time work in July 2025 to work fully in ministry. I will therefore be finishing childminding in July 2025.
I particularly want to support children to develop their natural love of learning and curiosity by giving opportunities for enjoyable activities that cater for their interests as well as ages and stages of development. I endeavour to follow the 'Planning in the Moment' model and have Hygge in the Early Years Accreditation. I want to support parents when they are at work in knowing that I am caring for their children as if in their own home, and to relieve them of at least some of the stresses that juggling work alongside being working parents entail. I want children to feel cared for and supported at all times. I utilise a range of resources, both indoor and outdoor, and support a love of nature in all the children. It's a very rare occurrence for us not to have a daily outdoor adventure and it helps my own wellbeing as much as theirs. I would love to discuss my plans further with anyone who would like to get in touch.
My Experience
24 years as a primary school teacher with a teaching degree in Physical Education
Level 3 Preparing to work in Home-Based Childcare (through PACEY)
Experience of bringing up my son
A complete understanding of the stresses of juggling being a working parent alongside being a mum and using childminders myself
My Qualifications
B.Ed (Hons) degree (2:1) with 24 years primary school teaching experience
Preparing to Work in Home-based Childcare (Level 3)
Hygge in the Early Years Accreditation
My Availability
Please get in touch if you’d like to be added to a waiting list. Occasionally, situations change and spaces become available. I don’t currently work on Fridays.
I also offer babysitting.
Please be aware that I’ll be finishing childminding by the end of July 2025.
I don't offer school drop offs or collection as I want to devote my time to my EYFS children and won’t disrupt their routine. Children need to take a minimum of 2 days childcare in order to help them settle, and a minimum of 6 hours per day.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | no | no | no | no | 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: 17/06/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £7.00 per hour
- Babysitting from £14.00 per hour
My fees include entry to places or groups / season tickets and additional resources I may need to purchase to cater for the specific needs and interests of your child. I don’t disrupt the care of your child to drop off or collect others from school / nursery.
I accept funding and childcare vouchers.
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
- Training Certificate: Hygge in the Early Years Accreditation (added 11/04/2023)
- First Aid Certificate: Full Paediatric First Aid (added 11/04/2023)
- Training Certificate: Safeguarding (added 11/04/2023)
- Training Certificate: Asperger Syndrome (added 17/06/2020)
- Training Certificate: Teaching Degree certificate (added 15/05/2019)
- Training Certificate: Safeguarding Children (added 15/05/2019)
- Training Certificate: L2 Food Hygiene (added 15/05/2019)
- Training Certificate: Prevent Duty (added 15/05/2019)
- Training Certificate: L3 Award (added 15/05/2019)
- Training Certificate: Postgraduate Certificate (added 15/05/2019)
- Training Certificate: NCFE Cache L3 Award (added 15/05/2019)
- Training Certificate: Chartered London Teacher status (added 15/05/2019)
- First Aid Certificate: paediatric anaphylaxis training (added 15/05/2019)
- DBS Check (added 15/05/2019)
- First Aid Certificate: Full Paediatric First Aid Course certificate (added 15/05/2019)
- Ofsted Certificate (added 15/05/2019)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Sarah. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk users 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.
Sarah is an absolutely fabulous childminder! She has so much patience and enthusiasm for her job and such a real love of the children she cares for. My daughter loves going to Sarah’s - she always asks to go even on days she isn’t due to be there, so I know how happy she must be.
The updates we get are brilliant too - easy to access on baby’s days and lovely to see what she’s been up to.
I love that they get out and about exploring too and I can relax knowing she is safe and having fun.
Cannot recommend enough!
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We have been so lucky to have found Sarah! Our son started going to Sarah's when he was only 6.5 months old. It was hard going back to work so soon, but knowing that he was in such good hands with her just made everything much, much easier. I am breastfeeding our little one and Sarah has wonderfully gotten him to take the bottle, which he was not keen on at the beginning. I was anxious about him not taking the bottle, but her confidence that she would succeed was very reassuring. I love that Sarah does many different activities with her mindees, indoor or outdoor, so our little one has so many chances to learn and see new things! Sarah also provides excellent quality, home-made food for our little one and has been very helpful and great while introducing solids to him. Our little one loves going to Sarah's, and we as partents know that while he's with her, he's excellently cared for, his specific needs are taken into account, and that he can explore and discover the world in a very loving and enriching environment.
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Sarah has been nick named Mary Poppins as she is so magical with my DD. Sarah is a great communicator and keeps me updated on all aspects of DDs progress. DD is always happy to attend and she adores Sarah and her family. DD particularly enjoys all the outings and adventures Sarah takes her on - especially anywhere with waterfalls or sand pits and the variety of friendly play groups when it is colder weather. We will miss her greatly- DD started with Sarah at 20 months and is soon to start preschool following our house move. I feel any child in Sarah’s care is in safe and caring hands.
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Sarah looked after our son one day a week from when he was 18 months-3 years old. He always enjoyed going to Sarah's and she provided lots of fun outings and activities for him to do. He definitely grew in confidence and Sarah was great at encouraging his development and letting us know how he was getting on. He now attends nursery full time but still often talks about Childminder Sarah.
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I can highly recommend Sarah as a childminder. My daughter been there for a while now and is very happy in Sarahs care. I am a shift worker so I have to travel and work nights. I leave my daughter overnight with Sarah. Sarah been very accommodating and flexible to my needs. I know my daughter is well looked after and in a safe and secure environment. Sarah communicates effectively and give thorough daily reports how the day has been. Communication is so important for me. Great service!
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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.
