Claire A
Childminder in Sprowston, Norwich
Usually responds within 2 hours
Female Member since Dec 2013 Last Updated Aug 2023 Last Login 05 Nov 2024
My Summary
About Me
Hi! I'm an Ofsted-registered childminder, rated "outstanding" by Ofsted in my last inspection, living with my husband in a large house in Sprowston. I love my job and really enjoy all the activities I do with the children - lots of messy sticking and gluing, painting, being outdoors, playing games, reading books, doing jigsaws, growing veg and fruit, cooking, playing musical instruments and singing songs, dressing up, visiting local events and playgroups...everything!
I speak French and have level 2 in British Sign Language, and use these with the children when appropriate.
We have a lovely big enclosed garden with a variety of play equipment. We have rabbits who enjoy being fed by the children.
I have a wide range of toys and equipment to cater for all ages and abilities, and we supplement these with trips to the library and to local parks and playgroups.
I cater for all faiths and none, I provide meals. I usually go to several groups during the week so children can socialise and get to experience other environments and play equipment.
My Experience
I was a secondary school teacher prior to becoming a minder, and have now been minding for over 13 years. I have a level 3 diploma and I accept the funded places for 2, 3 and 4 year olds offered by the government. I've always worked with children and done lots of voluntary child-based activities too (Brownies, Sunday School, primary school helper etc.). I have passed all the relevant qualifications - Safeguarding, Food Hygiene, First Aid, and I regularly attend other courses to update and refresh my knowledge.
My Qualifications
I have a degree in Applied Language, a post-graduate teaching qualification, and a level 3 diploma in childcare. I have level 2 in British Sign Language.
I have passed my first aid certificate, food hygiene, and safeguarding (basic and Lead Practitioner). I also regularly attend other training courses through the year to update and improve my knowledge. I am a member of PACEY (Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years).
My Availability
I work from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Tuesday to Thursday, and I do before / after school care on Friday. I do school runs to Sparhawk infant school, Cecil Gowing infant school and Falcon junior school. I am flexible regarding overtime if you need to discuss this. I offer full-time, part-time, holiday and term-time only contracts, .
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Morning | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| After School | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 12/08/2023 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £5.00 per hour
I provide meals and snacks (breakfast at 7.30am, lunch at 12.00, cooked meal at 4.15pm) and charge £5.00 / hour. Please do contact me if you would like to discuss any needs you may have - I'm very flexible!
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Falcon Junior School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Cecil Gowing Infant School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Sparhawk Infant School & Nursery
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
- Ofsted Certificate (added 12/04/2023)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Claire A. 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.
Our son started with Claire at 11 months. He developed a strong bond with Claire in a short amount of time due to her calm and nurturing nature. We truly feel so reassured dropping him off in the mornings as she knows him so well.
We appreciate the regular updates throughout the day, containing information on all the different activities she has arranged for him, as well as meal updates - he definitely eats well there!
We love the smaller setting she provides but also how our son interacts with a number of children due to Claire taking him to groups. It's great that she does the school run too as our boy loves interacting with older children, we enjoy these updates too.
Thank you Claire
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by
Melxvb92
about
Claire A
on 07/12/2022
Response by
Claire A
on 08/12/2022:
Thank you - he is a lovely lad to care for!
Looking for a childminder was an incredibly tough choice for me to make as a parent that has never used a childminder or even a baby sitter before, it was a very big step. Claire has made not only my children but also me so comfortable with regular updates with all the fun activities and meals/ snacks and general well being of my children. Claire puts so much time and effort into making sure the activities are suited to all the children but also taking on each child own interest, during the school holidays they had theme weeks where the children learnt so much and made the most amazing art work.
Claire's home has become like a home from home experience for my child they feel extremely comfortable, happy and safe. I had a child that felt very very nervous about going to childminder to being excited about going. I really could not recommend Claire enough.
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by
Abbey
about
Claire A
on 13/09/2022
Response by
Claire A
on 14/09/2022:
Thank you so much for your kind words - We have a lot of fun!
I would have no hesitation in recommending Claire to look after your child. She has looked after my both my children at various points over the past 12 and half years. She looked after my daughter from 9 months until nearly 3. She provided regular updates in a diary of what my daughter did during the day, she provided age appropriate activities and had my daughter's well being at forefront of her mind. Any concerns regarding my daughter's development in her milestones were discussed and recommendations made.
She started looking after my son after school for the last 3 years along with my daughter and again she had their best interests with what activities they wanted to do when they got back to her house and provided well balanced meals. Safety was also important when they would walk back to her house from school. I always felt comfortable in the knowledge that Claire would look after my children as I would look after them myself. She is great at communication and provides updates with her policies and newsletters via email.
Please visit Claire and her setting, you will not be disappointed and your child will have the best time with Claire like my 2 children have over the years.
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Claire has looked after both my children for the last 3 years. My daughter for full days, my son before and after school and both for some days during the holidays.
I feel so lucky to have found Claire. She is amazing with my two and tailors learning and play to their individual likes and needs. They love going to her and I know they are cared for so well.
Claire provides regular updates with photos during the day and a good handover at the end of the day. The setting is great and there are always varied activities with different themes.
During the pandemic Claire went above and beyond to support us as a family as we are both key workers. Making a really awful time a lot less stressful.
I’m dreading the day we no longer need Claire for her amazing childcare. She has become such a big part of all our lives.
I would thoroughly recommend Claire to anyone looking for a Childminder.
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by
RLynskey
about
Claire A
on 02/05/2022
Response by
Claire A
on 02/05/2022:
Thank you! I enjoy having your children - and look forward to a little longer with them!
After initially struggling to find a childminder for my 1 year old I cannot be more grateful that a space became available with Claire.
She provides regular updates and pictures of what my son gets up to throughout the day and also makes us aware of what development skills they will be working on in the coming weeks.
I have noticed a huge improvement in my son’s skills in the short time he has spent with Claire and I look forward to seeing what more is to come.
Claire is truly amazing and I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for a childminder.
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by
Charl
about
Claire A
on 26/04/2022
Response by
Claire A
on 26/04/2022:
I love caring for your lad - thank you!
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