My Summary
Childminder And Forest School Leader
About Me
Please message for any upcoming spaces.
Graded outstanding in March 2024
I live in the village of Markyate with my husband and sons (10&13)
We have a bright, spacious home with a purpose built playroom, a good sized garden, a relaxing living room, downstairs washroom and calm bedrooms for naps.
I am very proud to provide a real home from home, family environment, in which children can effectively learn through play with a mixture of adult led and child led activities.
Following the Early Years Foundation Stage, our day to day activities include familiar and new experiences, which can be adapted to the age and abilities of each child. In line with the EYFS, I follow the children’s interests and will find/invent activities to support them and develop their next steps. I also find ways of challenging children and provide opportunities for them to problem solve and also challenge themselves.
I am passionate about outdoor learning and actively promote all weather play. Your child will get muddy!
A typical day’s plan may look like this:
Welcome/breakfast
Sharing news
Yoga or another mindfulness activity
Play
Snack if needed
Trip to the woods/nature walk/gardening/zoo/park/garden/picnic/FS activities
Lunch time
Quieter activities/naps/1:1 or 1:2 activities
(Art/cooking/games/garden/story/playdoh)
Snack if needed
School run combined with feeding ducks/walk/outdoor play/park visit/library
Tea time
Tidy up/story/music/home
I provide balanced, nutritious meals for the children which are cooked from scratch as much as possible and mealtimes are a real social occasion. The children have input in the weekly menu planning, shopping, meal preparation and are taught the importance of healthy eating and a balanced diet, sustainability and where their food comes from. That’s not to say we don’t have the occasional birthday cake and special treat day!
I am also experienced in meeting the dietary needs of children who have various requirements, including allergies.
Please contact me for more information, for my full prospectus or to be added to my waiting list.
Please note that I cannot offer afterschool pickup once the children are in full time school. I do offer lunchtime collection from Markyate Nursery School for children who have progressed from here.
My Experience
Prior to becoming a childminder, I studied Primary Education at university and have worked within nurseries, schools and respite care. I ran a holiday club while studying. I was also a Team Leader at Harpenden Mencap Society and worked with adults and children with varying ability and needs.
My Qualifications
I have all the mandatory training for childminding as well as extras.
These include; Homebased Childcare, Safeguarding, Outdoor First Aid, Paediatric First Aid, Nutrition and Health, Communication, Makaton, Administration of Medication, Food Hygiene, Allergy Awareness, plus more.
Certificates are available to view when you visit.
My Availability
Spaces advertised may not be available immediately.
Please email/call to confirm the most up to date info for Early Years spaces.
My working hours are:
Monday 08:00-17:30
Tuesday 08:00-17:30
Wednesday 08:00-17:30
Thursday 08:00-17:30
Friday CLOSED
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| After School | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 31/03/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £7.50 per hour
**Funded hours.
**Tax Free childcare payments.
**Term time only contracts considered.
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 01/11/2022)
- UK Driving Licence (added 01/11/2022)
- Other (added 01/09/2024)
- Inspection Report: Inspection report (added 19/04/2024)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Parents say
The childminder receives consistently high praise for providing excellent care in a warm, nurturing environment. Parents appreciate the emphasis on outdoor activities, nature exploration, and healthy meals. The childminder is described as accommodating, communicative, and genuinely caring. Children are reported to be happy, settled, and excited to attend, with many parents feeling fortunate to have found such high-quality childcare.
Summary generated by AI from the text of recent member reviews
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Lis Davies. 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.
Lis has been looking after my daughter for a few months now and I couldn't be happier. My daughter settled almost immediately and loves going to Lis's house. Lis is kind, warm and gentle with the children; you can see she really enjoys being with them and getting to know them and genuinely cares about them. She prepares good quality meals and accommodates my daughter's pescatarian diet, and she places a lot of emphasis on getting outdoors and being in nature (whatever the weather), which I think is very important. Lots of my friends have issues with their respective childcare providers and comment on how hard it is to find good quality early years' provision and I feel so lucky that we have such a brilliant childminder for our daughter. I know my daughter is in safe hands and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Lis.
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Steph_H
on 29/01/2025
We now send our younger daughter to Lis, as well as our son. We've been extremely happy with Lis's work for the years that she has had our son now, but needless to say we're now just as happy with her looking after our daughter. There's a real benefit to sending siblings to a childminder rather than a nursery insofar as they get to play together all day. Our daughter settled much quicker than our son, I think because he was there with her, and we've also noticed big improvements in how they play together at home now compared to before our daughter was going. Much fewer arguments about sharing! I believe because they're used to sharing at Lis's, and this translates well to our home. Our son is still excited to go to Lis, telling him it's a "Lis day" is surely a good way to get him up and ready quickly! And he often asks at the weekend if he can go play with his friends at Lis's. We get lots of photos and videos through the day, and Lis always listens to our preferences and is very collaborative in her approach. She also accommodates plant based meals for our children. Frankly we'd pay double what she charges if we had to (but don't give her any ideas! Haha). Highly recommended
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JamesB
on 28/01/2025
We couldn't ask for a better childminder than Lis. She is a complete natural with children and our son gets so excited to come to her house in the morning. Our son is also Deaf and Lis has been brilliant at using some basic BSL with him, handling his hearing aids and she has a good understanding of difficulties he might face due to his Deafness. We also really appreciate the care and thought she puts into the daily schedule for the children. They are able to play outdoors regularly in some great local nature spots and parks and use their imagination in a variety of ways indoors too. Lis is a very warm and experienced childminder and we highly recommend her!
Tom and Hannah
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Tom
on 06/02/2024
Lis started looking after our son when he was 13 months and I returned to work. Lis is an incredible childminder. She is so kind, caring and takes care of our son exactly how we want. He always comes back having been on an adventure somewhere outdoors which he loves.
The environment is clean and perfectly set up for looking after children. He loves her little dog Poppy who is very much part of the family.
Lis is fantastic with communication and we get updates throughout the day about what he's getting up to. She was especially reassuring in the early days during his settling in period.
On a personal level I find Lis very approachable, friendly and accommodating. She is perfectly happy to cater for our child's dietary requirements.
We are so lucky to have her looking after our child and look forward to her taking care of our new addition when the time comes.
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Lauren
on 20/01/2024
My two daughters have been going to Lis for the last five years. They always come home with a happy face and updates on their adventures. Fantastic home from home environment. Tuesday is a popular day due to playgroup sessions. Highly recommend Lis and her fantastic family for welcoming my two daughters into their home.
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Scm27
on 17/01/2024
We found Lis at a really synchronistic time, and we have felt so lucky ever since. She looks after our little girl, who is 3, full time (Mon-Thurs), and Lily absolute adores her. She's forest school trained, so takes them on lots of nature adventures, caters for her very specific dietary needs and sensitivites and has a really nurturing and caring way of being, as well as being a leader and guiding them how to make their own powerful choices in life. She's become like part of the family. We honestly recommend her so highly. Thank you, Lis.
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Nicole
on 14/01/2024
Lis looks after my daughter who is 2.5 and she has the best time there. She always comes out smiling, full of healthy food with an array of arts and crafts having spent the day doing a ton of different activities. Discos and party teas being a firm favourite.
The setting is very clean and safe and full of fun toys and games both inside and out, so never a dull moment for the children.
Lis loves the outdoors and takes the children on adventures whenever possible. She shares photos and updates to us during the day of special and fun moments and any issues or questions. End of the day we get a full run down of food, nappies and sleep.
I never have to worry about my daughter when she’s with Lis - she’s in the best hands.
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jaaayne
on 30/03/2022
Lis is a fantastic childminder. She provides a safe and caring environment, full of fun and engaging activities for the children. Her approach to outdoor learning is brilliant! My son loved exploring and learning through nature. If he had mud on him, it meant he had had a good day 😁.
Lis has a great understanding of children and is a very caring and kind person who is highly experienced. I would recommend her highly to anyone.
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Jenny
on 26/06/2019
If you’re reading Lis’ profile and trying to find the right person to trust your most precious being with then look no further.. you’ve found her!
Lis has been looking after our son Jacob since he was 9 months old and after meeting with quite a few childminders as soon as I walked into Lis’ lovely, clean and child orientated home I could see Jacob would be happy there and instantly felt more comfortable about leaving him with someone.
Lis is just so lovely and treats Jacob like her own. His Dad and I receive regular photos and videos of what Jacobs been doing that day into our What’s App group chat and I’ve even asked for meal suggestions as Jacob loves Lis’ cooking! Always healthy and lots of options.
Jacob has made some super special gifts for Daddy and I for our birthdays and Mother and Father’s Day,
As well as lots of interactive learning activities, they attend play groups, parks and Willows Farm.
We’re relocating and the only thing we’re all sooooo upset about leaving behind is Lis!
Lis recently got awarded an ‘Outstanding Ofsted’ report and it goes without saying it’s well and truly deserved!
We’ll miss you Lis and thank you for helping us raise a very special little person xxx
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Charlote
on 21/06/2018
Lis has been looking after our daughter since she was 11 months old, she is now 3. Throughout this time Lis has provided a fantastic service, always focused on the needs of the children and adapting the activities according to their ages and interests. Our daughter has always been happy there, is developing very well and has very strong friendships with Lis's own children as well as the other children in her care. Lis takes her educational role very seriously and provides excellent detailed documentation of our daughter's development. She also communicates regularly through the day if necessary to put our minds at rest if there were any anxieties on leaving in the morning. Lis has been very helpful accommodating our use of childcare vouchers and now the 30 hours scheme. We have already asked Lis to care for our, as yet unborn, baby when I return to work.
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Parent
on 22/01/2018
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