Lamont M
Childminder in Southampton (also available for babysitting)
Usually responds within 12 hours
Male Member since Nov 2022 Last Updated Jul 2024 Last Login 02 Nov 2024
My Summary
Lamont Minders
About Me
Lamont Minders
I am a 43 years old family man, living in Waltham Chase with my wife Monika, and three children aged 16, 11 and 7. Monika used to work for the local Primary School as a learning support staff and studying for a degree in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Our aim is to create a childminding setting which is relaxed, provides a holistic approach where children can feel unrestricted while developing, including important manners and social skills.
You would usually hear a waltz and classical music of some sort as you walk into our house. I think we count as a musical family. I favour Latin, jazz and classical music and we go to theatre once or twice a year. I have a beginner's knowledge of the piano. My father played the piano and for some time he played the church organ in his home village. My eldest daughter has just finished her GCSEs and planning to continue with arts at college them continuing at university in Japan. She is learning to play the piano, my son the violin and he also plays in the local orchestra. My youngest daughter sings and plays everything if she is allowed...
We are a home educating family.
We are quite chilled out, mostly child led and often go with the flow, trying to avoid the institution-like feel in our setting as much as possible. We have a flexible approach and structure.
We do our best to teach children to be adaptable and consider others around them. We would like children to thrive, by promoting resilience, independence and confidence while practicing kindness, tolerance and empathy towards each other. We put the focus on children's well-being instead of pushing school-like teaching at an early age, because a happy, content child is more able to develop successfully in all learning areas.
We saved a 1950's upright piano from a closing pub and also have a spare violin, a guitar, two recorders and somehow got hold of a flute as well. Gardening and DIY are a passion of ours, we adore all kinds of roses and we have an allotment where the children can dig for worms, run around, sow some seeds, harvest the fruit and veg and have a picnic.
There is a conure in the house, answering to the name Sonic (yepp, my son named him). He is very affectionate, likes dancing to music and sometimes acts like a dog ?Monika and my eldest daughter like to cook and bake, and I often come home finding them in the kitchen.
We like to spend time outside whenever possible, we often visit parks around the local areas, feed the ducks, visit the beach, and local(ish) walking trails. We seek to use our garden memberships to satisfy all-day care activity needs too. You may find this unusual, but we don't own any game consoles. We firmly believe, that the use of game consoles may have negative effect on the development of children, including their mental health (unless there are additional needs present in which case the use of various devices may be beneficial).
We are looking forward to meet you and your child/children.
My Experience
I used to help children practice reading in a local Primary School, took part in a children's computer club and ran a gardening club in the local Primary School until last year.
Over the past five years, Monika has supported children with additional needs one-to-one, led group interventions, mindfulness sessions, ran a gardening club, as well as supported the class teacher as a learning support assistant, sometimes taking over lessons under the guidance of the class teacher.
My Qualifications
BA(Hon) Open Degree - Creative Writing, History, Religious Controversies
Childminding: Paediatric First Aid, Foundations for Developing Learning, Safeguarding Children, Common Core Training, Organising Childcare Register Provision, Starting out on the Childcare Register,
Advanced DBS check
Monika:
Paediatric FIrst Aid
Advanced DBS check
NCFE Cache Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning
Currently working towards SEND Honours Degree
Also completed the following CPD courses:
ADHD and Dyslexia awareness
Food hygiene and safety
Dealing with Bereavement and Loss
Looked After children
Moving and Handling
Mental well-being and Mindfulness in the classroom
Understanding anaphylaxis, Asthma, Epilepsy, and Diabetes
Use of reasonable force
Child Protection and Prevent duty
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Safeguarding children with SEND
Harmful Sexual behaviours
How to be an effective educator
Online Safety
Raising awareness of LGBT
Risk Assessment for school trips
Raising awareness of honour-based abuse and forced marriage
My Availability
We are currently full. We have a waiting list, if you would like your child to be placed on the list please let us know.
Monday to Friday 7.30am - 7pm. This is negotiable of course.
We also take bookings for school holidays only and ad/hoc childcare.
Home educated children are very welcome as well.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Evening | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 12/07/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £5.50 per hour
- Babysitting from £11.00 per hour
Hourly rate is from £5.50 between the hours of 8am and 5pm and from £7.50 before 8am and after 5pm.
We are also available for babysitting after 7pm on weekdays and during weekends.
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
- Ofsted Certificate (added 13/06/2023)
- DBS Check (added 22/11/2022)
- UK Driving Licence (added 22/11/2022)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Lamont M. 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.
Our little boy has been going to Monika and Denes for nearly 2 years now and he loves it! (Always at breakfast he asks “mon mons soon?”) and recently our little girl has started going, she was only 10 months old and has settled in really quickly! We have recently moved out of the area but we still do the journey 3 days a week (it’s about a 45 min round trip) because they’re that good that we don’t want our children going anywhere else! Their setting is just built for the kids and is a little kids dream to go and play in! They promote independence and help the children adapt to different situations. Our little boy especially can be quite wary in new places/around new people/ change in routine but he is thriving here!
I’ve always had issues leaving the children with people (they literally don’t go anywhere else other than with us or to Monika and denes) but when they’re at the Lamonts they send updates during the day which always puts me at ease! You honestly won’t find anyone better to look after your children!
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My children joined Monika and Denes in September 2023. My youngest was only 8 months old so I was a little anxious about leaving him at first. Monika and Denes couldn’t have been kinder and more reassuring. They sent frequent updates and photos and my son settled in quickly, very much enjoying all the cuddles that were on offer.
My daughter only attended for a few hours after preschool but they made her feel just as welcome and she loved going. I am hugely appreciative of how they helped us with the logistics of preschool pick ups and were so accommodating. It was a complete lifesaver!
My daughter has now moved on to a different school (she tells me she misses Monika and Denes a lot!) but my son is still loving being part of their little childminding family.
Both Monika and Denes are extremely professional, thorough with their policies and paperwork and exceptionally loving. Their home environment is great and they also frequently take the children out for adventures.
I couldn’t be happier with the care they have given my children and would recommend them to anyone.
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As soon as my husband and I walked into Denes and Monika's setting we were certain we knew our son would be comfortable and safe with them. They have proven time and time again to be kind and consistent in their quality of care and my son really enjoys going to their setting and the freedom that he gets to just be a kid. I would highly recommend them to anyone in the area looking for affordable childcare for young kids.
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Our son loves the days he spends with Monika and Denes and is always excited to go. He has built a lovely relationship with them and enjoys spending time with the friends he has made. We were nervous at first but the setting is a warm homely environment and they take the children out to various places most days which has been great for our sons development. Monika and Denes keep us updated with photos, videos and messages and have really put us at ease. They have really helped with our sons sleeping and offer advice on eating etc. We cannot fault them and highly recommend.
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My child has been looked after by Monika and Denes since July ‘23 and I have never had a single concern about their care. My child comes home happy every time and he is always clean (as can be for a toddler). The house is warm and welcoming and they are always taking him to new places and giving advice when we experience troubles with sleeping or eating at home. His speech and manners have come so far and he has really blossomed since he started. Could not recommend more! I was so worried about leaving him for the first time as he is not even 2 yet but within the first week I knew it was the best decision to return to work because he seemed happier by the end of it than he was with me 24/7. If I implement new routines then they will always follow too. They keep me updated as much as possible and I’m frequently receiving pictures and videos of what they have been up to in the day. If I could give 6 stars I would!
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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.
