My Summary
About Me
I am a native Californian from San Francisco, married to a Scot, and have lived in the UK for 19 years. I love working with children and enjoyed raising my two boys, so far, I’m not done yet! My eldest is 19 and my youngest is 15 and in high school. This allows me plenty of time to devote to your child. What is important to me is to help children learn about their local environment by exploring our natural landscapes. Guided by their interests, I introduce a variety of subjects by observing changes in our environment, wildlife and seek out local points of interest, including those with historic interest. Children love to see what people are up to in the village when we are out and about and when we return home we use story, play, drama, song and art to investigate our observations and acquired 'treasures' more in depth. Learning to learn and learning how to find answers to all those questions children have really helps to deepen a child's general knowledge and boosts their confidence, which in turn drives their curiosity more.
My Experience
I am a Registered Childminder with the Care Commission of Scotland and a member of the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA). I was a baby signing instructor for seven years, teaching over 600 parents and their babies how to sign. Signing is a wonderful bonding exercise between Mother and baby facilitating communication and allleviating temper tantrums! I use baby signing now with all babies and toddlers I look after. I also introduce children to yoga! I taught yoga to 3 to 5 year olds at a private nursery locally and also private classes in East Lothian for two years. I take great pleasure in watching children develop their poses. They really learn fast! It goes without saying that language acquisition and numeracy is a key goal for the children under my care. I complement the local nurseries and continue subjects to a greater depth and at the child’s own pace. This is a distinct advantage that I can provide as I maintain small numbers allowing for lots of individual attention.
I have also worked in a private nursery and Montessori environment in California for two years, was classroom assistant in Edinburgh for five years and volunteered at my local primary school at nursery and P1 for a year. Of course, I have been a mother for 19 years before I started my childminding business 11 years ago.
My Qualifications
University double degree in Psychology and Economics with an emphasis on Child Psychology at the University of California at Berkeley (UCB).
I have Training in first aide and received certificates in: outdoor learning, food hygiene, child protection, lifeguarding through the Red Cross, learning through drama, storytelling, introducing singing to under 5s.
My Availability
Monday through Thursday from 7 am to 6 pm. Weekend and evening babysitting also available, as needed, but only for families I childmind for during the day.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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 | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 09/05/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £5.00 per hour
£5 per hour. Morning and day rates also available. I also cater for either term time or year round care, depending on your childcare needs.
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 20/09/2023)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for JeannieJ. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk members 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.
Jeannie looks after my 2 year old and has been since she turned one. My daughter loves going and she always brings home wonderful and creative art work.
Jeannie has taught her so much - I am always amazed at what she comes out with. When I pointed to birds in the sky and said, "look at the birdies", she aptly corrected me by saying, "geese mummy". She was right! That was Jeannie's input, no doubt from their trips to the bird centre and general trips outdoors.
Jeannie teaches them all about different cultures and celebrations. Halloween, Christmas, Rabbie Burns, Chinese New Year to name a few.
The house is fantastic for kids of all ages - many many books and toys that Jeannie rotates to maintain interest and intrigue. The garden is also set up for playing in the water/sand or on the grass during summer.
Jeannie takes my daughter to the library and playgroup and often Musselburgh to feed the ducks.
I'm exceptionally pleased with Jeannie and her calming influence on my daughter. I'm hoping to send my other daughter to Jeannie next year when I return to work from mat leave.
Overall, I can't recommend Jeannie enough - definitely the best from all childminders I interviewed when starting my childcare search and I've never been disappointed with the service provided.
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by
Parent
on 13/02/2019
Response by
JeannieJ
on 06/04/2019:
Thank you so much! I am so lucky to have such a lovely wee girl to childmind. She is a treasure! I just love watching her grow and learn. It is a real privilege to discover the world together.
Our daughter has been going to Jeannie’s for a little over a year now and we could not be more pleased with the care she receives. Every day is full of activities from visiting the local play parks to collecting leaves and twigs to incorporate into their artwork. Jeannie does a brilliant job of teaching the kids about all of the holidays - most recently she was introducing them to Rabbie Burns and then decorating her house for the Chinese New Year.
Jeannie also teaches the kids sign language and our daughter picked up several signs before she was able to say the words. They are out and about every day (weather permitting) making the most of everything Aberlady has to offer. Jeannie's house is the perfect setting for the kids as they have the run of the whole downstairs as well as the secure garden in summer. Can’t recommend her highly enough.
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by
GEC
on 04/02/2019
Response by
JeannieJ
on 06/04/2019:
Thank you very much! I love childminding such a lovely wee girl who has done so well and learned so much. It is a real privilege to watch her grow and help broaden her learning in any way that I can!
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