Sophies Childcare
Childminder in London: Lewisham
Usually responds within 12 hours
Female Member since Nov 2019 Last Updated Apr 2025 Last Login 08 May 2025
My Summary
About Me
Monday - Thursday 8:00-17:30 - government funded hours available from 9months - 2 year olds.
I’m based on Priestfield road SE23.
My name is Sophie and I am an Ofsted registered childminder and a mother of two.
I live with my husband, our 13 year old daughter, our 7 year old son and our loveable Labrador retriever Rosie.
I have been childminding for the last 5 years, after working at Nunhead doctors Surgery for 12 years. I have found that childminding is the most rewarding job I have had. I thoroughly enjoy planning my days around what children enjoy and how I can help them to learn, gain experiences and to fill any gaps they may have in their learning. Our days together are always full of fun and laughter and I love to see the forming of friendships with other children blossom.
I offer warm and welcoming home from home childcare, with plenty of educational resource’s for both babies and children 9months - 5 years.
I communicate daily with parents via WhatsApp giving an update of how they have been throughout the morning with pictures of what we have got up to.
We have lots of fun and engaging educational resources for all. We have play tray set ups based on what the children’s interests are and what they are learning. We do lots of arts and crafts and have accessible resources for children to choose what they would like to do. We have a play kitchen with lots of accessories, picnic basket, tea set, fruits and vegetables, dinosaurs, farm animals and a play farm, tractors, safari animals, puzzles, cars, diggers, play dough, books, role play resources, dressing up, doctors set, baby’s, soft toys, ice cream stall, shop till, wooden fire station, space station, lots of arts and craft resources, baby toys, sensory toys, wooden blocks and lots more. We have music time and story time daily.
I encourage child led play with play tray set up to encourage extended learning.
We have an open plan kitchen/dining/ living/play area with direct access to our garden via bifold doors which are fully open on nicer days. We have a separate living area also and the whole downstairs is free flow.
We have a garden with a patio and grass. We have a playhouse, water play tables, balance bike, scooters, scuttle bug, wiggle car, footballs and pop up goals. We also have an additional play area at the back of our garden which looks onto allotments where we are currently on the waiting list for our own plot. We have a small climbing wall in this area with a ship steering wheel, wood chippings, lots of diggers and trucks, shovels, a small mud kitchen with a sink and a water play table.
We venture out to our local parks, Mayow, Crystal Palace, Dulwich or Peckham. I am a member of Horniman museum so we make the most of the exhibitions, aquarium and butterfly house.
Playgroups we visit are - St Michael’s in Sydenham, Besson street stay and play in New Cross and Telegraph hill (which is our favourite) We also visit Surrey doc farm and Christmas tree farm occasionally.
Inclusive of my daily fee, I provide homemade meals, healthy snacks.
I have a clean, full uk driving licence.
I drive a seven seater car.
I work alone so have a smaller ratio - 3 under 5’s
If you have any queries or would like to arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to contact me.
We live 0.6miles from lower Sydenham station
1.1 miles from forest hill station
1.2 miles from Catford station.
My Experience
I have been an Ofsted registered childminder for 4 years.
I have been graded ‘Good’ by Ofsted in August 2022.
My Qualifications
QNUK Level 3 Award in Paediatric first aid
Safeguarding
DBS
Level 2 award in Food safety in catering
STEEP ‘An introduction to childcare practice (Homebased)
Incorporating child observation, assessment and planing’ Tutor led training.
STEEP continuous professional development of observing Chelwood Nursery Tour.
Pass in Health and social care
My Availability
Monday - Thursday
8.00 - 17.30
| 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 | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 29/04/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £8.50 per hour
£75 per full day fee 8.00 - 17.30
Government funded hours available from 9months - 2year olds
Meals and healthy snacks are provided inclusive of daily fee.
Deposit required to secure place
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
- DBS Check (added 12/11/2020)
- Ofsted Certificate (added 24/11/2019)
- Other (added 14/02/2024)
- First Aid Certificate: paediatric first aid certificate (added 12/04/2021)
- Training Certificate: level 2 award in food safety in catering (added 26/11/2019)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Sophies childcare. 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.
Sophie is the most wonderful childminder. Our son was in her care from 11 months - 2.5 years. She provides a home away from home where we knew our son was happy and cared for. Sophie builds such a lovely bond with the children she looks after and is so incredibly warm, caring and patient with them.
Sophie puts so much thought into the activities for the children; how they will encourage their development and support their learning. Our son loved all the creative play and making as well as lots of time outside in her engaging garden and allotment. Our son's development rocketed while with Sophie; a result of her attentive care and teaching. It's amazing that Sophie takes the children on days out, making the most of what’s in the local area and beyond, providing such an enriched experience. Communication is excellent and we received daily updates with pictures and a summary of the morning. Sophie always took time at the end of the day to pass on how the day has gone and any observations she’s made. Highly, highly recommend!!
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CLH
on 15/11/2023
We couldn't be happier with our daughter's experience at Sophie's. She started nearly two years ago aged 11 months and settled in quickly thanks to Sophie's care and kindness. Sophie is warm, fun and friendly but also extremely professional with excellent clear communication. Her setting is bright and clean with a fab range of toys, books and resources and a great outdoor space for when the weather is good. Our daughter has loved all the different activities planned by Sophie and we are so pleased with how much she has learned and developed. We've always felt confident that our daughter is happy and safe with Sophie and wouldn't hesitate to recommend her.
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Hannah
on 11/05/2022
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Sophie. Her care of my daughter was excellent and she loved going to ‘Sophie’s house’!
She has learnt so much, doing new things every day and her confidence developed hugely over the time she was with Sophie.
Every day was a different fun game or activity and I always felt completely confident leaving her with Sophie knowing that she was being well looked after and having fun!
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Amy
on 11/05/2022
I've nothing but praise for Sophie and her childminding service. She is absolutely amazing with the children and I wouldn't want anyone else looking after my little one.
So much thought goes into their day covering a wide variety of learning, activities and fun.
My little girl can't wait to go to Sophies, we talk about her and what we do most days! She has come on so much with her speech, confidence, knowledge of colours/objects/learning and I can drop her off knowing that she is having the best day :-)
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Laura Da
on 11/05/2022
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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.
