Muddybootsproject
Childminder in Reading
Female Member since Oct 2009 Last Updated Apr 2025 Last Login 10 May 2025
My Summary
About Me
For availability and fees please contact me directly.
I just received my 2nd OFSTED - OUTSTANDING grading (August 2019)
Montessori Led and Inspired Childcare settings. Forest school certified.
My settings have been Awarded a Certificate in Montessori Practice for Child minders(CPD), accredited by Montessori Centre International London - as off January 2014.
In January 2013 I gained Reading Borough Council to be a "Leading Childcare Practitioner" with full NVQ 3 in CYPW.
I live with my husband and our 16 year old daughter in a house with a larger than average garden. The house is situated in a small cul de sack within walking distance of West Reading Station just off Tilehurst Road.
I work with 2 Assistant as well as my husband, we teach children basic German and Spanish.
We are offering a loving, caring and comfortable home from home care, as well as a fully reliable service for children and parents.
We are both Ofsted registered. I belong to the NCMA and have certificates in home based childcare, pediatric first aid and hold a full NCMA Liability Insurance. I also hold an intermediate food hygiene certificate as well as the health & safety certificate, I have my diplomas in CYPW NVQ3 in Childcare. I use Early foundation stage “EYFS" guidance within my setting. All these are available for you to view and additional knowledge comes from raising my own child.
We feel that looking after children in a home base settings is more beneficial to child's individual care and development and also means that We are working closely with parents.
We offer a wide range of activities which are available every day i.e. painting, sticking, drawing, model making, play dough and baking, cards, presents and decorations making for Christmas, Easter and other public holidays, etc.
We belong to the local Library which we attend regularly for story/singing time? and so that children can pick and choose their own books to bring home.
My setting is a large detached building surrounded by a garden area. I work with an assistant we have an enclosed garden with a Wendy house, sandpit, lots of toys, tricycles and a small paddling pool for summer months is accessible for children to use all the time.
We visit local parks and nature areas regularly. Also outings during school holidays to Zoo or farms etc - which are arranged with parents in advance.
We offer a wide range of stimulating and educational toys including toys which promote children’s imagination, dressing up and role play, etc.
We also promote a healthy approach to eating and offer cold and hot meals along with a sleeping area for naps.
If you have any further questions or would like to visit my setting please contact me.
Regards Melanie Mix
My Experience
I use "BABYS DAYS" in my settings which is an OUTSTANDING EYFS SOFTWARE FOR CHILDMINDERS.
Baby's Days complies all the EYFS Development areas into a Software system which is a complex, modern and fast, yet this simple to manage system has been designed & developed to assist me as a childminder and parents. Parents get directly involved around all areas of the EYFS, which includes the structure of Learning, Development and Care.
We speak German and Spanish.
My Qualifications
Montessori Practice for Child minders(CPD)
Forest school Certificate.
Reading Borough Council awarded LEADING CHILDCARE PRACTITIONER
RQIA - Reading Quality Improvement Award September 2012
CYPW 2012 (Children and Young people workforce NVQ3 level 3)
I have full pediatric first aid, intermediate Food & Hygiene (fully qualified chef), Health &Safety Certificate, NCMA member, Safeguarding Certificate, Pediatric child minding Certificate since 2007 and my last Ofsted inspection was grade - twice "Outstanding - 2014" & 2019
My Availability
For availability and fees please contact me directly.
All food, drinks, snacks and outing included.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Evening | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Overnight | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Last Updated: 21/04/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £8.00 per hour
For availability and fees please contact me directly.
For availability and/or more information about rates, please contact me directly.
FUNDED HOURS: Funding available for 15 & 30hrs per week.
Fees charged are based on full days and opening times
Opening times: Monday - Friday from 7:30am - 6:30pm
Fees include complimentary mid-morning snack, hot full lunch with vegetables or salad, afternoon tea sandwiches, drinks as well as charges for outings i.e. Bealpark, Discovery center or indoor play centers etc!
If you have any question or would like to discuss fees or timing please call me directly
All food is prepared fresh as I am a professional Chef who had been working in
5 star hotels around the world,
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 11/05/2020)
- EU Driving Licence (added 23/04/2020)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for MuddyBootsProject. 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.
We are very lucky to have found Melanie - she was able to look after my 3 year-old son and 5 year-old daughter during lockdown (as key worker’s children), and she has been amazing!
My fussy eater son now eats vegetables (the food is amazing), the setting is beautiful and so well equipped, we love her straightforward but always caring approach, and she has been an inspiration in her safe and sensible approach to the pandemic.
The children have an amazing time with her - they run in excited every morning without turning to say goodbye, and can’t stop talking about their day when they come out!
It was only supposed to be a temporary stop-gap during the pandemic, but we are lucky enough to have secured a place for him next year as well.
Thank you Melanie, we are so grateful to have found you!
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by
Laurie
on 08/07/2020
Response by
MuddyBootsProject
on 08/07/2020:
Thank you so much for your kind words. They have settle very nicely and made lots of new friends they valued a lot by their friends and make me smile at lot.
Melanie is simply the best!
Our son loves getting up in the morning as long as he knows he is going to Melanie's! He is now 3 and has been with her for over 2 years now, I give Melanie a lot of credit for helping him grow into the great little person he has become.
We have been nothing but happy with Melanie, our friends and family hear about her often, and every time we meet with other parents we make sure we speak of how lucky we are to have found her!
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by
Ephie
on 08/11/2018
Melanie has been caring for our son Freddie (aged 3) in her setting on a full time basis since he was 9 months old.
My wife and I have been extremely happy with the care Freddie has received, and the great progress he has made. Melanie’s home is always welcoming, clean and well organised and Freddie has great fun playing with all the toys, games and books. Her garden is fantastic as are the rest of her settings, giving the kids freedom to play and explore. He’s made great friends with the other children in Melanie’s care and is always happy to get ready in the morning to go!
Melanie provides a wide, fun range of activities including plenty of outdoor exercise and trips to local attractions including farms and zoos. Freddie loves this and these added experiences are helping immensely to increase his vocabulary and understanding of the outside world. Without Melanie’s constant tuition and attention I don’t think that Freddie would have made the progress he has.
Freddie receives all of his meals, freshly prepared and his diet is excellent because of Melanie’s introduction of new and varied foods. His behaviour is fantastic which is testament to Melanie’s patience and communication with Freddie.
Not only does Melanie look after Freddie on a full-time arrangement, but we also receive an online diary in the evenings which keeps us regularly up to date with the activities Freddie is undertaking as well as the food he has eating during the day. The added bonus of pictures shows us how happy Freddie is!
Melanie has seen Freddie learn to walk, talk and develop in to a very happy little boy and without her guidance and support we don’t think he would have progressed so well.
We are so happy with the level of care Freddie receives and will be sad when it is time for him to move on
Melanie is a brilliant child-minder, who we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.
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Overall
by
Parent
on 10/07/2014
Melanie is a professional, dedicated and talented childminder. The moment I met her and experienced the environment in which children in her care are looked after, I had no hesitation whatsoever in entrusting her with my daughter's care.
Melanie provides a schedule of activities which rivals that of any nursery I have encountered. Any initial misgivings I may have had about childminders not being able to compete with the repertoire of nursery activities have been completely over turned by Melanie's amazing schedule.
Melanie provides children with both a fun and educational schedule, in a warm and loving environment.
I would highly recommend Melanie to any parent who wants reassurance that their children will be cared for to the highest possible standards available and who will thoroughly enjoy and benefit from the experience of being away from Mum and Dad.
PS - her cooking, apart from being nutritious and varied, is delicious!
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Overall
by
Parent
on 20/12/2011
My daughter was with Melanie for nearly 2 years and it was the best decision we ever made. My daughter was so happy at Melanie's and I knew automatically that she would be safe and happy with Melanie and her family. When we sadly had to move our daughter out, it was a very sad day and we still miss her!
The facilities at Melanie's house are brilliant and she always had a wide range of toys, books and activities for the children to do.
Melanie is a great cook and our daughter without doubt prefers Melanie's food to mine!
I would thoroughly recommend Melanie to anyone as she is 100% professional as a child minder, loving to the children, and her daughter is a great role model for my little girl!!
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Overall
by
Parent
on 12/12/2011
My daughter started with Melanie for 3 days a week at the end of August and settled in straight away. She now gets excited as we drive down the road towards Melanie's house.
Melanie has made the transition of going back to work so much easier for me as I know that my daughter is in a secure location with a childminder who is pragmatic and caring. Melanie does so many activities with the children that are fun, educational and encouraging of exploration and development. The children all play so well together in the environment she has made.
I am so pleased that I found Melanie and that she had a place available when I was looking for a childminder. In the new year my daughter starts full time there and I am sure she will enjoy everyday, I would definately recomend her.
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by
Rufus1
on 28/11/2011
The contents of this review are no longer available as the reviewer's account has been deleted.
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by
Parent
on 16/10/2011
The contents of this review are no longer available as the reviewer's account has been deleted.
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by
Parent
on 07/10/2011
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