Sara
Childminder in Milton Keynes
Usually responds within 2 days
Member since Oct 2024 Last Updated Nov 2024 Last Login 24 Dec 2024
My Summary
About Me
My name is Sara, and I am a registered childminder through a childminder agency located in Bletchley, Milton Keynes (MK2 3AS). I am born from Spain and ethnically from the Philippines. I am tri-lingual and speak fluently in English, Spanish and Tagalog.
My approach towards each child is to understand their individual needs, emotions and interests. Therefore, I can create activities that will encourage their curiosity and engage with different learning opportunities that reflects everyday life. I strongly believe that working in partnership with parents is essential for a smooth transition for the child to create a secure attachment during settling in. This will also help support parents during this significant change by providing reassurance and consistent communication.
The play space I provide in my home setting have various accessible spaces for children to explore freely, allowing them to feel at home and comfortable. My aim is to encourage children to enjoy a nurturing environment where they feel safe, valued and respected.
The main playroom is in the spacious living room that extends into a bright and cozy conservatory. The kitchen is where we sit down during mealtimes and it serves as a great space for cooking and baking activities. Also, children have access to the garden where they can enjoy gardening play, water play and many outdoor activities that encourages creativity and exploration of natural materials such as soil, sand and plants. Most importantly, I take priority in going outside to enjoy the beauty of nature with the children and enhance their sensory experience with the outdoors. As well as going to local playgrounds to promote physical skills and social interaction.
The daily routine will consist of a balance between structured activities and free play. This means there will be adult-led activities to build on children’s listening and attention skills while offering guidance. Also, child-led play that allow the children to explore their own interest, express their creativity and tap into their problem-solving skills.
My Experience
I started my journey in the childcare field as an assistant in a successful childminding setting during my maternity leave. After discovering my passion for working with children, I decided to pursue my training as a registered childminder and continued to co-childmind with an experienced practitioner for the last two years. This collaborative experience has given the skills and knowledge to venture as a childcare provider in Milton Keynes.
As a mother to a three-year-old son, I have the privilege of experiencing child development firsthand. My personal and professional journey in childcare has taught me a deeper understanding of the different stages that children go through in their early years. Working and observing children grow and learn in a home setting has provided me with the opportunity to engage with children on a more personal level, allowing for meaningful one-on-one interactions.
In addition, I worked as a qualified registered nurse for 11 years and bring a wealth of transferable skills to my role as a childminder. My background in nursing has contributed to my values in nurturing, empathy, patience, and care, which are essential in creating a supportive and safe environment for children.
My Qualifications
Understanding and working with the EYFS
Safeguarding Children
Recording Children’s development
Leading and managing a childminding Setting
Food Hygiene
Full Paediatric First Aid
FGM awareness
Prevent Duty
BSc Honours European Nursing Degree 2013
My Availability
1 space available for Monday and Tuesday from January 2025
Open from Monday to Thursday 8am-5pm
All year around childcare contracts only (open during half term and school holidays)
Closed bank holidays and 4-week annual leave across the year
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 25/11/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £6.50 per hour
£58 day rate (8am-5pm)
Care includes breakfast, morning and afternoon snacks. Parents are to provide packed lunch which I can warm up.
I accept children eligible for childcare government funding:
- 9 months to 2 years old, you can get 15 hours per week of free childcare
- 3 to 4 years old, you can get 30 hours per week of free childcare
Any additional hours outside your funded entitlement will be charged at a standard hourly rate plus daily substantial fee.
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 Documents
- Childminding Agency Certificate (added 06/11/2024)
- UK Driving Licence (added 12/10/2024)
- Training Certificate (added 12/10/2024)
- DBS Check (added 12/10/2024)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Sara. 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.
I strongly recommend Sara as childminder; she is warm and approachable. Sara looked after my children who were at different stages, one being a toddler and another a baby. A lot of thought went into the "settling in period" to ensure that the transition was gentle for the children, which I really valued.
The activities the children engaged were refreshing, there was an intentional focus on using natural materials, and spending time outdoors. Sara takes a child-centred approach and was able to incorporate culturally relevant activities and took a collaborative approach to our children’s development.
Sara's clinical background also put me at ease as I knew the children were in capable hands should anything medical arise.
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Sara has looked after my child for over the last year and I have nothing but thanks for her. My child struggled with the minder before Sara and after the engaging settling sessions and from how she approaches my child, I am very confident in her care and provision. She is very well organised, clean, communicates and connects with my child and makes sure that they are safe and trust is built. Seeing the regular updates of my child playing outdoors and being part of activities all through the day is something i am greatly impressed by.
I would recommend Sara as a great childminder to all parents and encourage parents to visit her setting as its also very spacious and child friendly.
Thank you Sara and continue the good work.
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I can highly recommend Sara! A warm, welcoming environment from the time you arrive and a huge variety of activities/days out on offer for the children to keep them entertained, educated and most importantly happy! My son Noah has been there since he was 1 and Sara became like a second family to him! Sara’s little one Ezra is his best friend! After a weekend he can't wait to see both of them again. I cannot recommend her highly enough, she cares so much about the children and I’m fortune enough that my son is one of those children. Sara is outstanding childminder that will go the extra mile, I could not be happier with the care she offer my son. Thank you again!
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I can't even explain how happy I have been having Sara as a childminder to my son. It was like finding a neddle in a hay stack. Sara is caring and fun, she always had the interests of my son to heart. My son always loved going to hers.
I am Spanish and I asked Sara to speak Spanish to my son as I was worried because Dad is English and my family is not in UK, it was amazing that my son first words were in Spanish and shortly after he started saying all of them also in English, his speech development has been great in both languages from the get go which sometimes is a challenge with bilingual kids.
It was very upsetting when we moved quite far away from the area, and even though I tried to embrace the driving, it was too much, and eventually I had to change him to a closer setting.
I can highly recommend Sara, and I recommend meeting her in person because as soon as you do you will see what a beautiful person she is.
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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.
