Karen
Childminder in Royston
Usually responds within 24 hours
Female Member since Aug 2015 Last Updated Jan 2025 Last Login 23 Jan 2025
My Summary
🌟Space Becoming Available From April 2025 Monday And A Thursday🌟
About Me
My name is Karen. I live in Royston, and have done so for 20 years. I have my own a family of 3 children, and my husband Garry, and 3 Grandchildren. 2 of my children currently still live at home. And 1 of them has a family of their own
I have always worked in care, with the elderly, then at Bassingbourn barracks before it closed down.
I have been a Ofsted registered childminder now for nearly 8 years,
I am Pediatric first Aid trained, and update this every 3 years. I also attend a Safeguarding course every 3 years. In-between these courses, I also do online courses, for example, Food Hygiene and cross contamination, food Allergy courses, ADHD, and Autism.
I care for all children under the age of 5, and follow their development using the EYFS trackers, and update parents/careers every term, then discuss with them how their children are developing. If there are any concerns I support parents by helping them contact the professional's that might be needed, or ask their permission if I could contact the professional on their behalf.
Whilst the children are at my setting, they get a choice of activities and play, sometimes, adult led and other times children's free play. We do a range of craft, from painting, drawing, making junk models, playdoh, messy play activities etc. The children get to play outside, at the park, trips to the library and we celebrate all of the children's Birthdays by having a Birthday party for each one.
I work closely with another childminder called Angela, and all the children get to see each other, to do different crafts, activities and trips out. This enables all the children to mix with a wider number of children giving them bigger chances to develop their social skills, but still have the home from home feel with a smaller setting.
I am registered to take the 9 month funding, 2 year funding and 3 to 4 year old funding.
I am up to date with my Pediatric First Aid and Safeguarding Training.
I welcome parents to visit my setting, before making any decisions about future childcare. I have references from past and present children I have looked after.
My Experience
I have a family of 3 children and 3 Grandchildren. I have always worked in care since I was 18, Elderly and The Army training barracks for new young recruits. I am NVQ3 qualified in Health and Social care, and trained and qualified as a Phlebotomist. I have up to date First Aid and Safeguarding. I have been a childminder now for 8 years, over that time I have children attend my setting from as young as 8 months, I have watched and cared for them until school age, I am still in contact with all of the children that have been to my setting, and we still meet up for Birthdays and special events.
My Qualifications
Pediatric First Aid
Child Protection - Safeguarding Children
TQUK Level 2 Understanding Autism
Providing a Healthy Food Environment
Speech, Language and Communication
I have a level 2 (Pacey) in childminding.
Schemas
Safeguarding: Fundamental British Values
Supporting children's emotional well-being
Expectations of Behaviour
Raising Developmental Concerns with Parents
Food Hygiene
Cross Contamination and Food Allergies
My Availability
Full time space Monday to Thursday becoming available from January 2025
| 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 | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 06/01/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £6.00 per hour
My fees are £6.00 P/H, I accept childcare vouchers, 9 month old, 2 and 3 year old funding, all voucher schemes and the Government Tax Free Childcare.
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Bassingbourn 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
- Inspection Report: Karen Joy (added 04/12/2019)
- Ofsted Certificate (added 02/12/2018)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Karen. 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.
How do I begin to express what Karen has done for our now 2 year old. Our daughter joined Karen when she had just turned 1, a year ago. She settled in so soon and made friends, but most importantly, bonded so well with Karen! Karen is so loving, caring and treats our girl as her own, trust me. You cannot fake that kind of love and care, it is real and so natural! She looks after her so well. Oh and my, the growth we've seen and the attention she gets - such a huge difference from the care she gets at nursery on the other 2 days. Our girl has grown up to be a smart and confident little lady who loves going to Karen's and even talks at it at home. There's so many activities, singing, dancing, playing. Never a dull moment. Karen takes good care of her and is very focussed on her development and keeping track of it. The communication is brilliant during pickup and we get pictures throughout the day. Karen also works with another childminder friend of hers, Angela, and all the children mix together a couple of times a week so there is more to do and learn. Our little girl has been with Karen a year not and has grown so much, I cannot wait to see what the future brings. We love you Karen! xx
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Nikita
on 11/09/2024
Karen looked after our daughter for 3 full days a week for 2.5 years. Our daughter thoroughly enjoyed spending time in Karen’s setting. Karen did so many activities with our daughter and she helped her to learn the alphabet and count to 20, sing (all the nursery rhymes!), all the crafts you can imagine, days out, trips to the park and so much more. We received daily photos and updates from Karen and development reports. I highly recommend Karen’s setting if you are looking for a childminder who is kind, caring and loving!
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Clare H
on 24/09/2023
Karen and Angela (who shared the care of my daughter) make a wonderful team. They are so kind and caring. They genuinely love children (not always a given) and treat them like mini people with very distinct needs, strengths and weaknesses. They kept my husband and I up-to-date all the time with pictures and summaries of what my little girl was up to and gently disciplined when she was being a sassy-pants - and ALWAYS told us about it.
Sophia seemed to learn a lot under their care, including colours, numbers and shapes, and developed friendships that she happily chatted about at home.
Thoroughly recommend.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
Food-
Communication
by
JAlger
on 27/07/2023
My daughter has been in Karen's care for almost two years. I can't rate Karen high enough for her approach to childcare as she goes above and beyond to give children experiences in all areas of their development.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Amy
on 18/03/2022
Karen took care of our son for just over 3 years and was such a wonderful addition to our family, always there to support Lachlan but also us as parents.
Karen supported Lachlan in his development and learning in a way he always found fun and exciting, he always came home excited about their adventures or activities.
There was always clear and open communication with Karen, we always felt that although we weren't with him during the day we were still part of his days and knew what he was up to, which for me was so valuable.
Will always be ever so greatful for Karens care and service.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Rachael
on 07/11/2021
Karen looked after Henry for a few years before he started school in September. He still misses her desperately, they formed such a lovely relationship. Karen is so caring, hard-working and dedicated to her job, Henry always felt safe and happy in her setting. She was always very observant when it came to his development and good at communicating this to me. Karen has a lovely setting for the kids to play and learn, inside and outside and she regularly took them on outings which Henry still talks about now. She goes the extra mile for her kids, Henry could write his name and knew most of his phonics letters when he started school thanks to Karen. I can't recommend her highly enough, we all miss her!
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Elly77
on 07/11/2020
Response by
Karen
on 07/11/2020:
Thank you for a lovely review. I miss Henry so much. He was a pleasure to care for and became a big part of my family. As I watched him grow and develop his skills, was an amazing journey, and one I will never forget.
My son has been attending Karen's setting since starting school and for the last 3 years has been extremely happy at Karen's. She provides a safe and caring environment where children can develop and grow. Karen pays particular attention a child's interest and helps further it's development by building on this. Karen has been providing great support for our family and my son always come back home with a smile on his face.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
SandraM
on 03/05/2020
Response by
Karen
on 11/05/2020:
Thank you Sandra x
I’m a self employed Accountant and I needed someone to trust to look after my 4 month old back in 2018. I went to see Karen and immediately knew she would be great. George is now 19 months and still with Karen. She has a structured day for the children: he plays, he learns, he sleeps, he eats and has lots of fun. Karen likes to take the children on lovely trips and is always doing art/crafty things with them. It has been lovely to watch George grow under Karen’s care. He is learning new things everyday and his speech has been helped by her no end. George is always coming home singing a new song or doing a new action - and its all her.
She has recently been graded Good by Ofsted and I have no doubt that she will obtain Excellent in the future.
There may be other childminders in the area but Karen is the most conscientious and caring that I have met. She genuinely cares and enjoys the children. Thank you Karen! x
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Ange
on 01/08/2019
You must be a registered parent and logged in to leave a review.
If you don't have an account then Register Free now.
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.
