Andrea Darlington

About Me

I am an OFSTED registered, and inclusive childminder. I have 3 children of my own, twin sons aged 28 who are both qualified secondary school teachers, and an 18 year old son at university.

I offer a fun, healthy, learning environment for all the children in my care, with the emphasis being on play based learning. We love to learn through music, expressive arts and science. We love to get outdoors, and our garden is constantly changing to support the needs of the children who come to play. We have a large covered area with an outdoor kitchen, picnic benches for eating, and playing. Within this area, currently, is a large messy play area and outdoor kitchen set-up, play house, table for playdough/painting etc, and a sand and water area. We have a grassed area for playing and doing activities on. We have a range of outdoor toys for the children to play with that they can choose from each day, and they can, and do, make suggestions for additional resources they would like to have. The children have access to an additional garden room where more resources are stored within their reach. We have a playroom indoors which has a similar range of toys designed for playing with indoors. We have toys, resources and musical instruments appropriate for all age groups.

We have a working garden that the children will take a large part in running, the main focus of the garden being (aside from having fun) learning about sustainability and eco-living. With flowers, trees, and fruit and vegetables patches. There are different raised beds for vegetables and fruits, a herb garden, small fruit trees, posts and hanging baskets that the children are encouraged to help care for during the growing season. There are bird feeders and wild animal habitats to take care of too. We have compost bins and a worm farm that the children help to keep going. We have a water butt the children use to access water to care for the wild birds, frogs, hedgehogs, insects and plants that grow in and visit our garden. The children also care for the plants they grow indoors, to move into the garden as they are ready.

Over the years we have had a number of pets, some of which the children are invited to help care for, others the children are able to view. These include a dog, cats, reptiles and aquatic snails. Currently though, because the animals have grown old, we have only 2 cats.

The children eat well here, with good quality, healthy food served daily. The children also have access to some cooking and baking activities.

The older children can access some tech after school and during the holidays, although rules must be followed for this privilege. We like to get out and about when possible, to the different local amenities.

Please message me for any more information or a visit.