Alison C
Childminder in St Albans
Usually responds within 12 hours
Female Member since May 2009 Last Updated Sep 2024 Last Login 29 Oct 2024
My Summary
"Let Them Be Little"
About Me
I am a Professional Ofsted Registered Childminder with over 30 years experience. I provide first class, quality care for your child in a warm, loving, and caring environment. I am married, our children are independent adults living away from home.
I have a large airy and light, purpose built play room solely for the use of the children with child sized furniture, comfy sofa for story time and a diverse and multicultural range of educational and stimulating toys and natural resources. This room leads onto a safe, child friendly garden with wooden playhouse, climbing frame, sand tray, water wall, music wall, swing, and lovely established fruit trees.
We have a weekly visiting BSL teacher who teaches the children BSL signs through singing and activities. We visit Willows and Whipsnade, museums, libraries, paddle in streams, and attend a weekly forest school session, we love the outdoors and exploring.
The children grow potatoes, courgettes, lettuces and tomatoes each year, pick apples and pears, and cherries from the abundant fruit trees. The produce is used for the daily home cooked lunch, which is provided.
At the bottom of the garden, there is a wild area with mud kitchen, natural resources to explore and chickens who provide fresh eggs daily and the opportunity for children to care for a 'pet'.
Each child is an individual; children are encouraged to be children, enjoy their childhood, and to develop and reach milestones at their own pace. I aim to instil an inner self confidence, self belief and to be caring and respectful people with the ability to mix with all members of our multicultural society and respect all religions and cultures.
I REGRET I DO NOT OFFER A SCHOOL DROP OFF OR COLLECTION SERVICE OR WRAP AROUND CARE for school age children, as I may have very young children in my care. It can be disruptive to their routine, and I do not wish the little ones to spend a long time in the car or pram. I do not also undertake nursery drop off or collections for the same reason, the timings are also incompatible with sleep routines and mealtimes. It can restrict our day visits to the farm or zoo etc. Our day is our own, no clock watching!
Ofsted Grade: Outstanding 2022
Ofsted Grade: Outstanding 2016
Ofsted Grade: Outstanding 2010
Ofsted Grade Outstanding 2006
Food Hygiene rating grade 5
Childcare is my passion, my mission statement is 'let them be little'
My Experience
As well as Childminding, I undertake continuous professional development regularly and I have enhanced my childcare experience and skills with relevant training such as:-
BSL - British Sign Language
The Foundation for Infant Loss “The Rainbow Nursery Scheme"
Post Natal Doula (trained with Michel Odent)
Post Natal Support
New Born Care
Nanny Experience
Night Nanny
Sleep Training
Weaning Advice
Advice on routine
Toilet and potty training with ERIC
BSL through singing
Makaton Level 1 & 2
Autism Awareness
Persona Doll
SEND Local offer
Speech & Language Therapy
I can offer any extra support you would like, - today, new families do not have extended family close by; or Mum, Auntie or Grandma to help, some first time mothers and fathers have never handled a new born before, it can be quite daunting and overwhelming, when all you need is reassurance and the confidence that you are doing the right thing for you and your baby. I am a post natal doula, trained by Michel Dent, water birth pioneer.
I can be that Auntie, Grandma or other person, to help give you the confidence to find your feet, establish a routine that suits you and your baby. Happy baby, happy family!
I have cared for babies from 2 days old, looked after over 55 sets of siblings, including a 4th child, and some families for 11 years. I can provide excellent references.
Happy to support breast feeding mothers on return to work, and with the transition to a bottle if required.
My Qualifications
Early Years Professional Development Programme. (DFE) OCN
First Aid 12 hour paediatric 2024
British Sign Language ( BSL)
Enhanced CRB ( DBS)
Food Hygiene, Rated level 5, March 2013
Post Natal DOULA
Cache Level 3 Childcare and Early Years Education
Makaton Signing Level 1 & 2
Babies Brains
Speech and language Therapy
Every Child a Talker
Safeguarding Children
Advanced Child Protection and Designated officer
Boys, Boys, Boys
Behaviour management
Introduction to BSL
Autism awareness
Hygge
Into the Wild Forest School
Nursery School Governor
Clean driving licence for 40 years+
I have attended many Professional Childcare training courses on relevant subjects and I keep up to date with current developments in childcare.
I am studying for a Montessori qualification.
My Availability
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 | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Overnight | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Last Updated: 17/10/2024 |
My Fees
- Childminding from £9.00 per hour
I charge an all inclusive daily fee, to include a home cooked lunch, Whipsnade zoo and Willows Activity Farm season tickets, BSL signing and singing weekly class and 'Messy Play' outdoors. All wet weather outfits and wellies supplied, likewise summer sun suits, hats etc.
Peace of mind service, forget packing a bag, and preparing and providing food - simply bring your baby, I will provide the rest!
I accept childcare vouchers, payments are direct to the bank and fees may be divided over 12 months so you can budget for the same monthly payment. I am registered with HMRC for Tax Free Childcare.
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 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
- First Aid Certificate: Paediatric First Aid 12 hours (added 16/01/2023)
- Inspection Report: Ofsted Inspection June 2022 (added 12/07/2022)
- Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination (added 14/10/2021)
- First Aid Certificate: First Aid January 2023 (added 06/09/2021)
- DBS Check (added 21/05/2017)
- Ofsted Certificate (added 19/05/2017)
- Exam Certificate: Cache Level 3 (added 19/05/2017)
- First Aid Certificate: First Aid (added 07/05/2017)
- UK Driving Licence (added 07/05/2017)
- UK Passport (added 07/05/2017)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Alison C. 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.
Alison stepped in when I was desperately looking for a short term childcare setting.
She has been so amazing with our 1 year old daughter. After just a few weeks our daughter would settle nicely in the mornings when dropping her off.
Alison is wonderful, such a warm and calming person. Thank you so much for your help. It was really appreciated.
Alison looked after our son Raffy from 6 months until he was 2 and a half and throughout that time we found her to be the most exceptional childminder and now friend to our family. From the moment we met her, we were impressed by her professionalism, knowledge and the deep love and care she displays for the children and the families she works with.
As Raffy was relatively young when he went in to childcare, we were nervous about leaving him full time in a childcare setting. However our concerns were immediately put to rest due the hugely welcoming environment she provides. We had been particularly concerned with regards to his dairy and soy allergy but she was more than capable in catering for him with nutritious dairy-free meals and snacks whilst also managing his interactions with other children and their food. She is extremely experienced and knowledgeable in childhood allergy management and is able to instigate allergy ladders where appropriate, all of which was enormously reassuring.
Raffy regularly attended several activities whilst under Alison’s care which we were of huge benefit to his development including baby sign classes, The Forest School and Willows Farm. Whilst there, we received lovely videos and photos of Raffy having a fabulous time which always brightened our day and demonstrated his increasing confidence, participation and enjoyment. We received regular feedback about his activities, behaviour, developmental achievements and interaction with his peers both on the doorstep and via whatsapp which was very reassuring but never overbearing. Alison was and is always approachable and compassionate, and we always felt able to discuss anything about Raffy or our wider family circumstances with her in confidence. Her wisdom and sage advice delivered with a gentle approach was always appreciated.
In her care, we watched Raffy develop into a polite, caring and kind little boy with excellent manners. People always remark on both this and his confidence and I have no doubt that is more than a little due to the supportive and encouraging environment Alison provides for the children she cares for. We couldn’t have been happier with her care and would recommend her without hesitation.
Almost 6 years ago as I prepared to return to work after having my first child, my search for childcare took me to the childcare.co.uk website wherein I happened upon Alison’s profile. It jumped out at me not only because of her vast experience but also for her fever for continuing her professional development above and beyond expectation. When I met Alison, it was obvious that her many accolades were as a result of her deep interest in the profession and her motivation to be the best she could possibly be for the children that are in her care. This was further emphasised when my daughter entered Alison’s setting and received such a high level of service in a very nurturing, caring and stimulating environment.
Since then, Alison has also cared for my two other children and in this time her devotion to her profession has never waivered. I have always received daily updates on activities (of which they are varied plenty), food intake (always homemade and nutritious), sleeping and general mood. And the photo updates Alison sends show me how happy he is in her setting (if his screams of excitement each morning and runs for cuddles weren’t enough!). Alison is always my first point of contact if I have any questions or issues relating to my child’s development and whether her advice comes through her vast professional knowledge or research she undertakes in the background, she has never failed to come up with solid, formative solutions.
I would happily recommend Alison to any parent who wants to return to work not only knowing that their child’s physiological needs are being met to an exceptional level but knowing that their child is in an environment which nurtures their creativity and stimulates their mind so they can flourish in these formative years and beyond. It is also extremely comforting, as a parent, to have someone on-hand who is so highly knowledgeable in her field.
Our son Otto has been with Alison since he was a year old (he’s going to be 3 in August) and we are extremely happy with how she cares for him - he is always enthusiastic to see her in the mornings and comes home with many stories about his day. He also settled in immediately when he first started.
He has flourished under Alison’s care, and we continue to be impressed by his increasing vocabulary and social skills. The resources and excursions that Alison offers encourage his natural curiosity, and we love the variety of activities that she provides - just recently, Alison bought some caterpillars and guided the children through the whole metamorphosis process, which Otto absolutely loved. We want Otto to be stimulated and curious about the world around him, and Alison’s approach of learning through play is absolutely spot on. We enjoy hearing about trips to Willows farm, the weekly sing and sign classes, and hopefully Forest School sessions in September.
Alison has high standards, but instills manners and good behaviour through positive reinforcement so Otto always feels like he is in a safe space with her. He has huge love for her, and that seems to be reciprocated as she is always extremely affectionate towards him. She goes above and beyond to help, such as offering the occasional drop off and even extra hours when we’re in a bind! We’ve just signed our baby daughter up to start with Alison when she’s 1.
Alison has been our childminder for the last 6 years - firstly for our daughter from the age of 8 months until she went to school and latterly for our son from the age of 1 until now as he will be starting school in September - and we couldn’t have asked for a better childminder!
Both of our children have flourished under the care which Alison has provided for them; her ‘home from home’ setting and her experience as a childminder ensured that they settled in smoothly, enjoyed their days with her and have many fond memories of their time with her.
Their days spent with Alison involved many varied activities both within her home and out and about. Alison has a designated playroom which opens out into a large garden which both Esme and Oliver loved to play in and explore; from helping Alison to feed the chickens, pick fruit from the trees or just zoom around on a scooter! Alison would also often bake with them which they loved - as would we when they came home with their baked goods; cookies and banana loaf were a firm favourite with us! Over the 6 years our children have enjoyed going out and about with Alison and have many fun memories of visiting Willows Farm, Whipsnade Zoo and Shenley Park as well as Messy Play, Sing and Sign (just yesterday as we walked past the church where Alison took them for this, Oliver piped up with ‘this is where we did Signing Sam; I wish I could do Signing Sam again!’) and the allotment.
Alison’s attention to detail and high standards has ensured that the particular needs of both of our children have been met; from supporting and guiding us when it seemed as if our daughter was never going to walk (she was just lazy and who needs to walk when you can get everywhere you need to by bum-shuffling?!), building their confidence and preparing them for school, through to buying their favourite toy to play with ensuring a smooth return to her childcare after the recent closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is testament to the care that Alison has provided to both our children that Esme (who has just finished her second year at school) still wants to see Alison and tell her about what she has been doing and Oliver is very keen to visit her ‘after school one day’. Alison has been a huge part of all of our lives over the past 6 years and it will be very strange not to be going via her house on the way to work come September.
by Catherin about Alison C on 29/07/2020
Response by Alison C on 14/08/2020:
Thank you Catherine for your lovely review!
I have enjoyed every moment of looking after both Esme and Oliver and it is bittersweet that our journey together with the children has come to an end. I shall miss all of your family very much, but I know that they both have the skills and confidence to go on and flourish and achieve highly. They are beautiful children inside and out, very kind and caring too.
I look forward to staying in touch, hearing how they are doing at school, when they lose their first tooth (oops, that happened 5 years ago!) when the stabilisers come off, and other achievements.
It is not goodbye, it is - see you again soon!
Love to you all! xx
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.