Mkchildc
Childminder in Milton Keynes
Usually responds within 1 hour
Female Member since Feb 2013 Last Updated Feb 2025 Last Login 28 May 2025
My Summary
About Me
mkchildcare ~ by Karen Graham
"Quality, Personalised, Professional Childminding"
Childcare in a safe, welcoming, fun, and stimulating home environment.
Situated in Kents Hill in the South East of Milton Keynes.
Smoke free home.
Level 5 qualified (Ofsted Outstanding - January 2025, 2014/15 & 2019/20) childminder with over 30 years of Early Years childcare experience.
Specialising in under 5s
My name is Karen, I have four wonderful children of my own, three girls and a boy with just 5 and a half years between them all.
Being a childminder is a job that I really enjoy, its rewarding, fulfilling and above all works well for my children and our family as a whole.
We have a pet dog (a Maltipoo) who is very friendly & great with small children.
My Experience
Before having my own children I worked in MKC (Milton Keynes Council) Day Nurseries (since 1990) and I was the Manager of my last setting. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to have my daughter at work with me, so I took the decision to combine motherhood and my job, a decision that I have no regrets about.
I started childminding in October 2007.
I have extensive knowledge and understanding of childcare practice and the paperwork that goes with it.
I have been a SENCO in my previous job and have experience with children with special needs and learning difficulties.
My parents reviews support the quality of care provided. My focus is & always has been about fun, enjoyable, hidden learning through PLAY. I provided lots of different activities & learning opportunities for the children to experience. All the older children (5-10years) that choose to come back in the school holidays speaks volumes about the fun we have together.
My Qualifications
I am qualified to level 5 and have a Degree in Early Years.
I recieved an OfSTED Oustanding Grade at my last inspection January 2025, & previous inspections 2019/2020, 2014/15
I offer Early Education places from age 9 months.,Up to 15 hrs a week during term time & for 3-4 year olds 30hrs for those eligible. Please contact me for further details.
I am a member of the PACEY (Professional association for childcare and early years) and I am fully covered by public liability insurance. My childminding assistants and I all have Enhanced CRB checks and up to date First Aid Certificates. I have an up to date Food Hygiene Certificate and I was given a 5 Star Food Hygiene rating.
My Availability
Open 48 weeks of the year
Closed in-between Christmas and New Year, two weeks summer holidays and an additional week in the school holidays (not charged for).
Closed Bank Holidays (payment as usual).
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| After School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 21/02/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £6.00 per hour
Please contact me for up to date prices.
Normal hourly rate applies between the hours of 8am-6pm Monday to Friday, any hours before 8am or after 6pm and at the weekends will be charged at time and a half.
Childcare vouchers accepted.
Free Early Education places for 3 and 4 year old children and for eligible 2 years olds.
All meals and snacks included in the price (additional charge for meals and snacks for free Early Education places), healthy balanced foods and all dietary requirements met.
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.
This member has chosen not to display their Ofsted inspection ratings on their profile. We recommend you check their current registration status and read their latest inspection report before using them.
My Documents
- Ofsted Certificate (added 27/04/2020)
- DBS Check (added 27/04/2020)
- Inspection Report: OfSTED Inspection Report Nov 2019 (added 27/04/2020)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for MKChildc. 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.
My daughter has been going to Karen since September and loves it. Because we were home since March without any outside interaction, I was worried about her settling in but in just a few days, my daughter was more than happy to go and was all smiles when she came back! She has grown so much in confidence and her language is amazing. Karen really takes the effort to organise activities and crafts that the children love and I have a memory box full of beautiful things my daughter has made already!
My older son went to a nursery and I can honestly say that sending my daughter to Karen is definitely the right decision as she has learnt so much more. We will be really sad when my daughter will start school and we won’t be dropping her to Karen anymore.
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Seema
on 30/03/2021
My youngest child is due to be starting in September and I know I will have natural sadness leaving him on the first day, but I also have the knowledge that he is going to be cared after in a home away from home - my older boys (currently 8 and 4) are so excited for him going as they think it is the best which coming from them is my greatest reassurance.
Many years ago I sent my eldest child to a different childcare and it really was not good for him so I was worried sending him to Karen’s. However from the day he started there he flourished. His speech improved, he was social and just loved every minute even wanting to go visit on the weekends! Karen ensures they are ready for school with helpful little things you forget about as a first time mum as well as the essential things. She has so many brilliant ideas for activities throughout the day and they bring home beautiful pieces that the boys are so proud of and we still treasure now, what is even better is she also sends you photos of your children making them.
Upon getting pregnant with my second son she was the first person I told as I wanted to ensure I had a place. He has absolutely thrived there. His interests and personality is different to my first child but their love of going there is identical. She obviously has the key things she has to teach them, but she is such an incredible person she easily adapts her language so children of all abilities and ages enjoy all the activities.
What is also lovely is the range of foods she introduces my children to - it is true they eat better amongst friends than family! (I have had to text her for recipes on the weekend as my middle child tried to explain what he is wanting to eat) And when my older children return for the holidays she remembers what their favourites are (and any dislikes) and tries to add these into the week which makes them feel just as special as the younger children.
Also you see the love, friendship and respect that her own children have for each other and this sets an incredible example that my children imitated and as a result they get on so well together. (This has been an unbelievable asset over the many months we have had in lockdown and has made it a really nice time together).
I cannot express how grateful I am to have such a wonderful person look after my children!
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Ditzibel
on 17/03/2021
Karen is amazing and I can’t recommend her enough. I was worried my baby wouldn’t settle following lockdown and not interacting with anyone else but he LOVES it there! He settled immediately and is full of smiles when I drop him off and pick him up.
He is so happy when he is there which is evident from all the photos Karen sends. Although he is only young, Karen has ensured he is included in all the activites and he thoroughly enjoys himself. His social skills have developed enormously, such a joy to see.
I can hand on heart say, that I rest wasy at work knowing my little boy is in such a safe and nurturing environment.
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Jeanette
on 16/03/2021
Karen open's the door to you with the brightest of smiles and wraps your child up in fun, laughter and love. It is a warm, nurturing environment full of little lessons and sensor arts and crafts activities. Karen is a member of the local Zoo so the children are always enjoying trips to learn about the animals and enjoy days out together.
The house is large and always clean, but most importantly it is always welcoming and full of warmth.
We love how Karen cares for our daughter and the laughs they have together. It will be a sad day when I wont be dropping her off to Karen any more.
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Debbie
on 19/05/2020
Choosing Karen to look after my little boy was the best decision. Treated like one of the family, he made lovely friendships and felt safe and cared for, always enjoyed going to the childminder! Karen has an energy and spark which make her perfect for this job - always fun and child-led. I certainly recommend 😊
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Nadine
on 27/04/2020
Karen is an amazing childminder who is very caring and professional.
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Deena
on 27/04/2020
Karen has provided my little boy with premium childcare from 11months old until he went to Preschool. He absolutely loved being with Karen, he had so much fun, made friends and and regularly came home so proud of what he had made that day. I couldn't recommend Karen highly enough, she is caring, kind, full of energy and always has a smile on her face.
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RachC88
on 27/04/2020
I cannot rate Karen highly enough, she is truly amazing.
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Beth
on 27/04/2020
Karen has cared for both my children, for over ten years. Both the children love being at Karen’s as she provides second to none childcare!
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Heidi
on 27/04/2020
Karen looked after my little girl from 11 months old and still has her now in the school holidays.
I wanted my child to be in a family type setting which Karen provides 100%, she is always helpful with any advice or issues I was having with my little one and goes above and beyond in the service she provides.
I would recommend her as a truly caring and professional person who is an expert in her field.
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Zoe
on 27/04/2020
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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.
