www.earleybird.org.uk

I am no longer childminding, but am working for a brilliant committee run preschool called Earleybird Preschool. We are currently trying to raise money for a new building and any support from businesses or individuals would be fantastic.

Please find us on Facebook, 'The Earleybird Appeal' and become a fan, or look at the website www.earleybird.org.uk for more information.

Thank you

Welcome to Clare's kids care

This page will give you a brief insight into my setting. I hope it encourages you to want to come round and meet us for yourself. If you would like to find out a bit more about us while online, I also have a blogsite which (with parents permission) I try to update with things we have been doing/any new things going on.

http://clareskidscaregeneral.blogspot.com/

Thanks for looking!

Outdoor Play

My garden is fully set up for childminding, with a climbing wall/cargo net climbing frame for the bigger children and a fully enclosed 12ft trampoline (only used by 1 child at a time and under supervision) I also have a smaller trampoline with handle for the little ones, a sandpit, playhouse, water table, slide and swing. There are also ride on cars, large lorries, footballs and small pop up goal among other things to get the children outside and playing.

'It has been suggested that lack of physical activity has adverse effects on children's health, co-ordination skill and mental ability' (The Foundation Stage At Home, Dr Shirley Cobbald) and I try to encourage the children to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. There are books within the playhouse, for informal learning can take place outdoors, and we often have painting/craft sessions outside when the weather allows.

Alongside the garden I walk on some of the school pick ups, when time allows us. We stop at the park on the way home, or we have a small park at the back of our house that we can pop to within the day. During the holidays or again if time in the day allows, we make visits to soft play places and Wellington Country Park is a particular favourite.

My Playroom

As you can see I have a large area dedicated to being a playroom. The layout changes as the children in my care do, their current interests and requirements for particular play determines what goes where and when. 90% of all equiptment can be accessed by the children, the rest is kept in 'easy for me' to get to places if it is requested. I am in the process of setting up a 'catalogue' for the children to be able to choose from the things that they may want which are not immediatly accessable to them.

The children also have free use of the lounge for extra floor space - the television only goes on for quiet time when needed. The dining room is next to the playroom and has an arts and craft drawer which is freely available too - some other materials are available on request like the paints for example, for obvious reasons (ie my house and smaller children....) they can't just be accessed by the children, but again are easy for me to set up on request.

Vacancies and Fees

I CURRENTLY HAVE NO SPACES SORRY!

HOURLY FEES
Usual hours of work - 8am - 6pm

Children 3 mths- 5 years £3.50
School age children £4 (minimum 2 hours charged)
Overtime Rate Time and half
Sickness (childminder) No fee
Sickness (child/parent) Full fee
Childminder's holiday No fee
Parent's holiday in contracted hours Full fee
Bank Holidays No fee, not worked
Bank Holidays (if worked) Double time
Special outings Paid by parents



If I drop and collect a child from preschool and am the emergency contact for that time I can not take another child within those hours therefore will charge for those hours used. If you wish me to drop and collect but you will be available/work locally to be the emergency contact/collector and I am not accountable for that child whilst there then no fee during preschool hours will be charged. I will however, charge from 15 minutes before collection time to cover the time I have to leave the house in order to pick your child up.

After school rates are charged at a minimum of 2 hours.

Meals – charged at extra
Breakfast 75p
Lunch £1.00
Evening Meal £1.50

I accept childcare vouchers, currently Virtual Vouchers and Busy Bees vouchers, and am registering with ACCOR services at the moment. I will happily register with any others that may suit you.

June 2006 Ofsted inspection

I am over the moon to announce that I received an OUTSTANDING grading at my first Ofsted inspection in June 2006. This is the highest grade a childminder can receive, and my inspector told me a new childminder was only 'expected' to get a SATISFACTORY grading, so I actually jumped two grades.

To view my report please click here;

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/portal/site/Internet/menuitem.7c7b38b14d870c7bb1890a01637046a0/?urn=EY332035&providerCategoryID=1