Butterflieschildcare
Childminder in Birdwell
Usually responds within 24 hours
Female Member since Jul 2019 Last Updated Dec 2024 Last Login 21 Dec 2024
My Summary
About Me
Hello and welcome to ‘Butterflies’ childcare.
I became an Ofsted Registered Childminder in 2020 after many years of having a very rewarding childcare career. I live with my cat (she is shy so it is highly unlikely that you would ever see her as she happily sun or shade bathes on the windowsills upstairs) in a new build semi-detached property within a cul-de-sac off Sheffield Road (A61), near to the Dearne Valley Parkway (A6195) and Junction 36 of the M1 Motorway. There are regular bus services to Barnsley and Sheffield.
I endeavour to create a home from home environment where your child will be well cared for and become part of the family. Many of my friends work in childcare, and we regularly meet up, giving our little ones the opportunity to have 'play dates' where they meet new people and make new friends.
I am a friendly, reliable, trustworthy, and approachable individual who enjoys working with children. I believe the opportunities available in a child's life have an impact and influence the rest of their lives.
Working with children is inspirational, and I am passionate about empowering children to develop socially, emotionally, and academically. I am dedicated and motivated to meeting children's individual holistic needs by providing stability within a fun, caring, nurturing, and stimulating environment.
I hope for children to be happy, safe, and healthy individuals, where they can make their own choices and are supported to be 'as safe as necessary', to enable them to participate in activities that will provide a challenge such as using scissors to cut play dough and paper, climbing up a ladder or move along the monkey bars at the park, or using real kitchen utensils and equipment to make a sandwich or when baking etc. By providing these opportunities empowers children to develop valuable life skills such as independence, persistence, and resilience, encourages children's confidence, increases their experiences and awareness of their abilities, enabling them to progress, and thrive.
There will planned and spontaneous trips and outings such as visiting the library, play centres, playgroups and garden centres, going to our local park, and saying hello to and feeding Stanley, Barbara and Paddy the goats, Wilma and Margot the pigs, Harley the Horse and Peanuts the Donkey, and the chickens, ducks and geese who live nearby. We also go to local nature reserves, saying hello to the animals at the pet store, farm or wildlife park, meeting up with friends and going for woodland walks and splashing in puddles and so on. During term time, we go on a morniing and afternoon 'buggy walk' to Birdwell Primary School.
Although there is structure and routine within the setting as it helps children to feel safe and secure, there is flexibility within this for example we may go to the park on the way home from school, however if it is unsafe such as being icy or raining heavily, we wouldn't!
There is a variety of age and stage appropriate resources for children to use, and activities to participate in such as stories and story sacks, balls and bubbles, sand, water and mud play, small world play such as dinosaurs and diggers, trains and train track, cars and garage, construction such as blocks, stacking cups and bricks, arts and crafts including painting, junk modelling, and play dough, baking, treasure baskets, sensory play, pretend play, singing and dancing, musical instruments, puzzles and games, building dens and creating obstacle courses, having picnics in the garden with our teddy bears, exploring ice, going on nature treasure hunts, looking for mini beasts and foraging for food such as strawberry picking or choosing pumpkins, and real life experiences such as writing a shopping list, going to the supermarket and having their own little trolley to push around the aisles, helping to tidy our toys away or set the table ready for meals.
Although we wear aprons, we may have glue, glitter, paint, sand, mud, flour... on us after a busy day of playing and learning, so please don't send your littlies in their 'best' clothes.
I have recently developed an interest in gardening. I am in the process of creating a garden that will give children the opportunity to learn and develop new skills as well as being beneficial for their physical, and mental health, and well-being. I have planted herbs and other sensory plants to encourage wildlife, along with the resident robin, a variety of birds, and mini beasts come to say hello, and hedgehogs, and squirrels have visited too. I have been successful in growing some fruit, and vegetables which I hope to continue with the children. How cool would that be to grow our own strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, and peas?!? Your littlies will need suitable clothing such as a coat, waterproofs, hat, changes of clothes, and their welly boots.
Your child will have a diary which is used to communicate between home and the setting in which I will write some details of their time with me such as activities they have taken part in (having blue paint highlights in their hair may be a bit of a giveaway!), what they have eaten, bottles, nappy changes, sleeps and so on.
As part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) your child will have their own developmental journal full of observations, photos and artwork. Over time, this will become a keepsake of your child’s time in my care. I ask for your involvement in this by taking part in a ‘home challenge’. This is an idea for an activity to do at home, such as sharing a story, feeding the birds, gardening, baking, or visiting family and friends. If you send in a photo, I can put this into your child's journal.
Additionally, there are ‘The Adventures of Teddy Bear’. Teddy can go home with you and have lots of fun, such as playing in the garden or at the park, going on a woodland walk, helping to sort out the recycling, or putting clothes into the laundry basket. Teddy has his own passport so he could also go on holiday with you. When Teddy returns home, we will share Teddy's adventures with each other. If you could write, or draw a picture in Teddy’s book, or take a photo, this can also be included in your child’s developmental journal.
I have a full, clean driving licence that I have held for many years, the necessary insurances, and a current MOT certificate.
I have written comprehensive policies and procedures that are adhered to, and risk assessments are in place that are reviewed on an annual basis or sooner if necessary.
I have references available, and I am registered with the DBS update service.
Thanks a lot for reading.
Karen
My Experience
Although I am new to Childminding, I have worked in childcare for over twenty-five years in a variety of settings including private day nurseries, (most recently as the baby room leader) foundation units and school nurseries, crèches, primary schools, children's centres, pre-schools, and Out of School Clubs - I am extremely proud that we were nominated for and were successful in receiving awards.
I have previously worked in settings on a one-to-one and group basis where I gained experience and knowledge of working with children with a wide range of additional needs, and followed guidance from fellow professionals including speech and language and physio therapists, dietitians, social workers and family support.
I have been part of successful Ofsted, Social Services, Healthy Foundations and Environmental Health Inspections. I have completed the Food Standards Agency 'Safer food better business for Childminders' portfolio and awarded the Food Hygiene Rating of 5.
My Qualifications
I have continued with my professional development since I originally qualified, taking part in courses, and seminars, completing on-line and in-house training and attending local, regional and national conferences, undertaking independent study and research and networking with fellow professionals. I am in regular contact with Barnsley's Childcare Quality Improvement Team who update me with any government changes etc.
Some of the relevant training that I have attended:
2022 Prevent Refresher
2022 Connecting with Nature in the Early Years
2022 The language of 'Feelings'; supporting the development of 'Emotional literacy'
2022 Supporting the development of 'Self-regulation' skills
2022 Supporting Children's Emotional Well-being
2022 Early Years Designated Safeguarding Lead Refresher
2021 Mental Health First Aid.
2021 Cultural Capital in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
2021 Mealtimes and the Education Inspection Framework.
2021 Food and Drink in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
2021 Stories and the Early Years Foundation Stage.
2021 Supporting Children's Emotional Wellbeing.
2021 Transitions.
2021 Open-ended Play.
2021 Stories and the Education Inspection Framework.
2021 Promoting and Supporting Hand washing in the Early Years.
2021 Oral Health in the Early Years.
2021 Expectations of Behaviour.
2021 Supporting Children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs.
2021 Safeguarding Children.
2021 Stories and English as an Additional Language.
2021 Stories and Safeguarding.
2021 Water Play and the Characteristics of Effective Learning.
2021 Songs and the Early Years Foundation Stage
2021 Supporting Children's Emotional Well-being
2020 Effective Partnership - Working with Dad's.
2020 Covid 19.
2020 Children's Oral Health.
2020 Nutrition for under one-year old's.
2020 Paediatric First Aid.
2020 Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering.
2020 Fire Safety.
2020 Working with Children, Young People and Families BA Hons Degree.
2019 Attachment Theory.
2019 'The Toxic Trio'
2019 SENCO for Childminders
2019 Fire Safety
2019 Child Sexual Exploitation.
2019 Female Genital Mutilation.
2019 Graded care
2019 Contextual Safeguarding
2019 Barnsley's Pre-Registration Course for Childminders.
2019 'Never shake the Baby'
2019 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
2019 Designated Lead in Safeguarding
2019 Domestic Violence
2018 Outdoor Play
2018 Healthy Foundations
2017 Working with Children, Young People and Families Foundation Degree
2009 NVQ Level 4 Childcare, Learning and Development
2000 NVQ Level 3 Play work
1999 NVQ Level 2 Play work
1993 NNEB Diploma in Nursery Nursing
1991 11 GCSE’s
My Availability
‘Butterflies’ childcare usually operates Monday to Friday between 7.00-18.00, but if your working pattern is outside of these hours, I am flexible and may be able to accommodate you, so please let me know by email or call/text, and I will see if I am able to help.
Bank Holiday places are available.
Term Time only places are available.
Out of school holiday places are available.
Some training is mandatory such as Paediatric First Aid, (usually to two day course and renewable every three years) so when I am on training I am not able to open, but I would let you know as soon as possible to enable you to make alternative childcare arrangements (or have the day off work).
Thank you.
| 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 | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 30/11/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £4.50 per hour
Fees:
£4.50 per hour per child Monday to Friday
£6.00 per hour per child on Bank Holiday's
Snacks and meals are included, water and milk are available throughout the day. However, please bring in own formula milk, nappies, wipes, cream and so on.
Your childcare fees will be documented on an invoice with a mutually agreed date for payment. Payment can be made in cash or by bank transfer.
There are funding places available for eligible two, three and four year olds.
Please visit the 'Childcare Choices' website as there may be some Government funding available to you.
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Birdwell 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
- Training Certificate (added 25/06/2022)
- DBS Check (added 28/08/2020)
- Training Certificate: Early Years Designated Safeguarding Lead (added 25/08/2020)
- Training Certificate: Childminder Pre-registration course (added 25/08/2020)
- Training Certificate: SENCO for Childminders (added 25/08/2020)
- Training Certificate: Fire Safety (added 25/08/2020)
- Training Certificate: Food Safety and Hygiene for Catering (added 25/08/2020)
- First Aid Certificate (added 25/08/2020)
- Ofsted Certificate (added 25/08/2020)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for ButterfliesChildcare. 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.
Would not recommend. Very unprofessional. I arranged summer childcare cover in April for this 6 weeks summer holidays. arranged the home visit, filled in all the paperwork which I have copies of, multiple text messages and Facebook messages regarding to the summer holiday cover, the kids even went during a half term for thr week to get used to it.. 3 days before the sunmer holidays last week... (after ignoring messages) let me know she did not put my kids down for the summer holidays... 3 days before I needed to work with full medical clinics all week with patients. I felt sick to my stomach. I still have all the messages and paperwork that ensured my kids places for the summer but she didn't book them in then ignored my further 2 text messages to gather and understanding om what had happened leaving me in the lurch. what good is paperwork signed if its not honored. I wouldn't be able to trust her ever again.
when the kids went during half term I showed up 2x to collect the kids from her house on time and she wasn't home and hadn't told me she would be late and left me waiting 20 mins infront of her home and didn't answer her phone so I had no idea where my kids were. I don't want to get into more specifics but there were other issues. my main upset was the summer holiday cover or lack there of.. but I found this a very upsetting experience and I wouldn't recommend her services after what I have went through with it all.
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by
C A W
about
ButterfliesChildcare
on 25/07/2023
Response by
ButterfliesChildcare
on 29/07/2023:
I am sorry that you feel this way. As you can see I have some fantastic reviews from past and present families, my parents and children are very happy with the service that I provide, as are Ofsted and the Quality Improvement Team at Barnsley Council.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a bit of miscommunication and misunderstanding on both parts as I did explain that I needed the contracts back ASAP to secure your children's places, which you did not return. In your message on the Thursday, the day before the children broke up for the summer holiday, you were checking to see if they were booked in for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the following week, you then let me know that one of your children would be picked up about 12-2 as they have a dance exam, (but didn't say which day) and that you would let me know what other dates and times you wanted for the summer holiday ASAP. It does state in the contract that I need at least four weeks' notice for bookings and making changes to bookings. I did reply to you, explaining that you did not confirm the days you wanted, and as such there weren't any places available the following week, but I gave you details of other childcare settings who had availability to try to help you.
It has been pointed out to me that if anyone felt that they had such a bad experience with childcare in the spring bank holiday, why would they make further contact to arrange childcare for the schools training day, and when the teachers were on strike, and want to book children in for the summer holiday. Instead of finding out about what other childcare options are available.
I have followed my complaints procedure and have contacted Ofsted, my Quality Improvement Officer, and LADO (the Local Authority Designated Lead) who have all said the same thing, that I have nothing to be accountable for. Nonetheless, I would also like to address your other comments. I did explain to you that we do go out, especially if the sun is shining, and I take note of when children are due to be collected, so that we are back for the time that they are booked in for. However, if parents turn up early, without notice, we may not be in, and parents would have to wait for our return. You must not have noticed that my car was not on the drive, or you would not have been knocking on my door for ten minutes like you said you were in your message. On the other occasion, when we were a few minutes late back, I had text you before setting off to say where we were, and that we would be late, you then replied asking where we were. I try to take into account how long our journey will take, but due to unforseen circumstances, such as traffic lights stuck on red, following a tractor, road works, etc. also I have young children who are toilet training, so we may need to make a 'pitstop', so there could be delays. I do not answer the phone when I am driving, nor do I reply to messages, especially abusive messages. I do send messages before setting off apologising to parents if I know that we are going to be late back.
I am sad that you felt that you had such a bad experience when your children attended during the spring bank holiday, so it is best that you go to somewhere else. I hope that you do not let this bad experience put you off other childcare settings.
Karen is the best childminder a parent could ask for. She is very caring and understanding and will always go above and beyond. Especially as my little boy has some additional needs, Karen happily accommodates him and includes him in all activities. They spend lots of time out and about exploring and meeting new people at playgroups or visiting parks and animals which he absolutely loves. We get regular photos showing us what he's got upto and a daily record book detailing what's hes eaten, done or achieved that day.
Leo absolutely loves going to Karen's and is very fond of her.
I would highly recommend Karen as a childminder for a child of any age
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by
Mama_Leo
about
ButterfliesChildcare
on 13/07/2022
Response by
ButterfliesChildcare
on 17/07/2022:
Thank you so much for the review, and for picking me to care for Leo, and being a part of your lives. Leo is a joy to have, and I look forward to our time together.
Karen has looked after my son since around his 1st birthday, Tommy looks forward to going and always has so much fun. I love receiving the photos of what he’s been up to and that they’re always out and about somewhere. He spends time with a range of different aged children and always has stories to tell me when he comes home. We have a book that is updated and sent backwards and forwards between us to give us updates on what Tommy has been doing, eating and a key achievement he may have had that day.
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Overall
by
Tamsin
about
ButterfliesChildcare
on 30/06/2022
Response by
ButterfliesChildcare
on 02/07/2022:
Thank you so much for the review. Thank you for choosing me to be a part of your lives. It has been a pleasure to have him this last year, watching him grow from a baby into a little boy and look forward to our time together in the future.
Karen is amazing with my daughter who adores her. Karen has looked after my daughter since she was 9 months old, first in her previous job role and now as her childminder. Karen will go above and beyond her role for the children and has proven to be very flexible when I have had to change.my shift at work. Karen provides amazing, simulating learning opportunities that my daughter loves to tell me all about, she especially loves her trips the park. I would highly recommend Karen to take care of yr little ones of any age.
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by
Jo R
about
ButterfliesChildcare
on 29/08/2020
Response by
ButterfliesChildcare
on 01/11/2020:
Thank you so much. A pleasure to have her, watching her grow and developing her personality 🙂
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