Frances Keays Smith
Childminder in East Devon District
Usually responds within 2 days
Female Member since Jul 2009 Last Updated Dec 2024 Last Login 25 Dec 2024
My Summary
About Me
My name is Frances and I am the owner of Cheeky Monkeys Childminding. I have worked as a childinder since 2009 and in that time have been inspected by Ofsted three times and been awarded a Good and two Outstandings. I am a friendly, energetic 52 year old mother of two living in Exmouth. I live with my husband, who has just retired from the Royal Marines after a very long career and is now starting a new Civil Service job a the RM's Water Activity Centre, my daughter (aged 19) who is an apprentice vet nurse and my son (aged 18) who attend Exeter College.
We live in a semi detached house with a large securely enclosed garden. We enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle and have a positive and enthusiastic approach to life. We have two friendly Maine Coon cats and two gorgeous bunnies all of whom are child friendly and really enhance a child's experience here.
I pride myself in creating a stimulating, confidence building and fun-filled experience for children and babies. My aim is provide the minded children in my care with the kind of experience that I would expect my own children to receive in a childcare setting. Furthermore I liaise closely with parents to make sure their child's transition into setting life is smooth, positive and stress free.
I have an abundance of toys and resources for children of all ages which are regularly cleaned, rotated and restocked. I observe, assess and plan for each child's personal development as well as working in close partnership with their parents to ensure that their individual needs are met. My aim is to create a relaxed home from home environment in which children and babies learn and develop through play and social interaction.
Furthermore, we are mobile visiting local playgroups, attractions, Children's Centers, beach, local parks and many more in accordance with the ages and needs of the children in my care.
I am very approachable and always keen to provide a very warm and happy welcome to both the children and their parents. I am committed to making the transition from home to setting as relaxed as possible and will accommodate any induction process parents wish to use. I also provide a free taster session as near to the child's first day as is practically possible so that he/she is very familiar with both myself and the setting.
My Experience
I have been registered and working as a childminder since January 2009 which I thoroughly enjoy! Since then I have gained in experience and undertaken many CPD courses to further increase my knowledge and to enable me to improve the running of my setting and ultimately the experience of every child in my care.
My Qualifications
Introduction to Childcare Practice
Paediatric First Aid
Safeguarding Children level 3
My Availability
Places can be reserved by making a down-payment which equates to one week's fee. This amount will be deducted from the first month's invoice at the start of the contract.
| 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 | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 23/12/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £7.00 per hour
My fee includes all meals, snacks and cow's milk. There are no hidden extras!
No late/early collection charges!
Fees are hourly and paid monthly (in advance).
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
- Ofsted Certificate (added 28/04/2023)
- Inspection Report: February 2022 Report (added 26/07/2022)
- Reference: Review from parent January 2018 (added 01/02/2018)
- Inspection Report (added 30/01/2018)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Frances Keays Smith. 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 joined Frances when I returned to work just before his 1st birthday and he has absolutely loved every minute. Frances is very attentive and he has thrived in a home from home setting with lots of organised activities as well as free play both inside and outside. He has always run in and come out with a beaming smile. His speech has come on brilliantly and he often eats better there than he does at home! We love to receive updates about his day and pictures of him having fun with his friends. We are so grateful for the last 2 years and we have already reserved a space for our second child!
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by
Danielle
about
Frances Keays Smith
on 23/09/2024
We couldn't recommend francess enough. She goes above and beyond. Our little boy is a little bit reserved and takes a while to settle with people but with francess she couldnt do enough to help with this. He really loved seeing her she was amazing with his little ways and totally understood him took her time to help him and was overall amazing with all she done with him. The days were filled with fun and his development really came on. She is such a lovely lady and each day i left i felt happy that he was in good hands. I would highly recommend francess to anyone shes totally amazing
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by
Kirstie
about
Frances Keays Smith
on 29/08/2024
Response by
Frances Keays Smith
on 29/08/2024:
Oh Kirstie thank you so much! It has been my pleasure. He is such a wonderful boy! Xx
As a family we can’t praise Frances highly enough for her care in looking after both of our children. We started childcare with our eldest who is now 7, and I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending her to anyone.
Both our children have thrived in Frances’s setting, and most importantly have always been very content and always happy, which as a parent is very comforting particularly when they are young. Frances offers a home from home style setting where we always felt our children had a 1:1 experience, and has always spent the time and effort in those early days settling them in as a priority, to the point both my girls were walking in with nothing more than a smile. We felt that was especially important in the younger years which has given our children the best start in life and the confidence to move on to nursery and subsequently school.
Thank you Frances for all you have done in supporting us as a family, and you will be missed by us all! x x x
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by
Katy
about
Frances Keays Smith
on 19/01/2024
Response by
Frances Keays Smith
on 19/01/2024:
Thank you so much! You have been wonderful clients and I have enjoyed looking after your lovely girls enormously! Wishing you the very best of luck for the future. Xxx
Being new to the whole idea of sending a child to a childminder after being at home with our older 2, this was very frightening. The minute I spoke to Frances I was put at ease! Lu has always been settled with Frances, from day 1 he warmed to her and the rest has been history. I couldn’t have asked for someone more caring and loving to look after our baby whilst we were working. There was always good communication about things he had done during his day as well as a full handover at the end of the day. His progression with speech, knowledge of animals and numbers has been down to Frances hard work that she puts into the children in her care. The decision to send Lu to Frances everyday was hands down the best decision we have ever made! We can’t thank Frances enough for everything she has done for Lu and us as a busy working family!!
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by
Emily
about
Frances Keays Smith
on 06/01/2024
Our little boy started with Frances' childcare provision at the beginning of 2022 and she has been brilliant with him. He's so happy to go everyday, Frances provides wonderful feedback each day, she's knowledgeable and has built a great relationship with him, he loves being around the rabbits and cats - a home from home for little ones. It's been a breath of fresh air compared to our previous childcare experience with our first child. We really couldn't recommend Frances enough, I'm just disappointed we didn't fine her sooner!
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by
Rebecca
about
Frances Keays Smith
on 29/03/2022
Response by
Frances Keays Smith
on 29/03/2022:
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! Greatly appreciated!! He is an absolute pleasure to look after!! Xx
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