Smileyb
Childminder in Basingstoke
Usually responds within 2 days
27 miles from SL1 7HR Female Member since Mar 2009 Last Updated Nov 2023 Last Login Mar 2024
My Summary
About Me
Hello , my name is Lydia.
I am an outstanding Ofsted registered Childminder. I have now been in childcare for over 28 years. I have many qualifications from a level 3 in childhood studies, to safeguarding, pediatric first aid, makaton, food hygiene, child psychology diploma and SEND diploma plus many, many more.I regularly update my knowledge in my own time and I am constantly learning. My last Ofsted inspection before that also gained me an outstanding in all aspects of care and development in 2014 and then again in 2019. I have managed to maintain that standard for over 7 years now.
I am based in the South Ham area of Basingstoke. I live and work from our mid-terraced house with my husband Andy, who is a CGI artist and owner of his own business. He also works from home. We have three gorgeous children a girl and two boys who are 16, 13, and 12 years of age. We have a dog called Sid, and a cat called Nala. I only look after Early Years Children (birth to 4) from my private setting. I do not do school runs or care for school-aged children. I do not do nursery pick up or drop offs, as like nurseries and pre schools I am also an Early years setting delivering the same Early years education and funded placements as them. I love teaching the children and seeing them develop into young, confident people. We spend a lot of time outside in the environment, talking about our families, festivals, and seasons through the months. We have loved hatching chicks and ducklings over the year, and we hope this year we will get 4 or 5 ducklings. We have watched frog spawn turn in to tadpoles, then into frogs and also our caterpillars that we fed and watched form into chrysalises, then beautiful admiral butterflies, which we then let loose into the garden, the children thoroughly enjoyed this and we most definitely will be doing it again each year. I have a lovely big garden which homes my playroom at the end of it, along with a swing under our magical tree, with a small slide and ride-a-longs etc. I have an outdoor digging area for the has a little work area to let their imaginations run wild. I like the children in the warmer months to grow yummy things in pots and grow bags that they will take home to their families. Recently, I have taken a more holistic approach to childcare and am starting to replace resources with real daily items. Instead of just plastic items, they will get the opportunity to use wood, glass, china, metal, etc. I love outdoors environment, so we spend a lot of time out and about exploring the world and nature.
I have a national trust membership that we use a lot.
My father also has a farm in Rowledge, Surrey, which I take the children to. He keeps Alpacas and Chickens, which we can feed! This is also the same farm our ducklings and chickens go to. So, as you can see, we are out and about quite a lot, which may not suit your needs, but I do try to adapt myself for your child's routine the best as can.
My Experience
I was a private nanny for over 12 years and now childminded for 17 years. I have experience in special needs and speech and language. I am a mother of three beautiful children, a girl and two boys. I have been registered since 2006 as an Ofsted registered childminder. I have also been a volunteer for Homestart supporting families in our community.
My Qualifications
Level 3 in childcare and child development
Paediatric first aid renewed every three years
Ofsted registered last outcome was outstanding in 2019
Advanced Child protection
Caf trained
food safety level 2
Safeguarding level 3
Makaton
Maths level C
English Level B
SEND diploma
Child Psychology Diploma
short Child development courses
hygge in our environment
messy craft play
loose parts play
always updating my knowledge by attending childcare briefing sessions held by our local services for young children and council.
I have a Full clean driving license for over 25years
My Availability
I am open all year round but have up to four weeks paid holiday a year, when a holiday of my own occurs I will try to help find holiday cover with you but this isn't always possible.
I also deliver the early years education funded places, in my setting. This allows you to keep your child with me when they turn 3 and have their free 15 or 30hrs with me. overnight care is also offered if needed.
Childcare vouchers welcome
Please message or call me on
Monday 8am-6pm
Tuesday 8am- 6pm
Wednesday 8am-6pm
Thursday 8am -6pm
Friday CLOSED!
any hours either side of these times can be negotiated.
Please contact me for availability. Please message me for details.
| 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: 15/01/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £6.00 per hour
£6 per hour flat rate
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 11/12/2019)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for SmileyB. 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.
My eldest (now turning 4) has been with Lydia since she was 10 months old and her little brother also from the same age. They have a lot of fun and learn so many new things, lots of adventures and have made great friends with the other children in the setting. Lydia puts a lot into her work and has a real emphasis on holistic learning which works really well.
Both of my children have been in super safe hands with Lydia and have made great relationships with her and her family.
Thanks for everything 😊
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As a first time mum struggling with postnatal depression, going back to work and leaving my baby was a HUGE thing for me. From the very first meeting with Lydia in her home I knew she was the childminder for us - her setting is welcoming and homely and I instantly felt more at ease about leaving my daughter with a stranger.
M has been with Lydia for the last three years and in that time she has amazed us daily with her development and understanding. Lydia offers so much more than just childcare, she has supported us through potty training, fussy eating, sleep routines and helped M reach her developmental milestones and get her ready for school in September.
Her cosy setting ensures that all her children feel comfortable and relaxed in her care and able to be themselves, and form little friendships with the other children in Lydia's care.
I would not hesitate in recommending Lydia as a childminder - for me personally, she was a lifeline when I was struggling, and offered me the reassurance that I needed and made my transition back to work much easier!
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Our son started with Lydia just after he turned 1 and has been looked after her for 18 months. Our second son is due to start with her this summer also.
Lydia is amazing, we couldn't be more pleased with the care and love she provides. Our son absolutely loves his time with Lydia. She knows him so well and for him it really is a home from home.
She always goes the extra mile to ensure he has a wonderful day. They regularly go on super trips out including to the farm, museum and local playgroups. At her home she has created a safe, enjoyable, enriching space. This includes rotating toys, setting out different play experiences each week and doing crafts, especially around 'special' days in the year - the beautiful home made gifts he brought home for my first Mother's Day made me cry! She has great outdoor space with climbing frame and bikes etc and they are outside in all weathers, which my son loves!
Lydia communicates really well and we love to see the pictures she takes to share their day and what they've been up to. He loves to be with the other children too and he talks about them all all the time, they are like a little family. He is thriving emotionally and developmentally and she without doubt plays a key part in this.
We couldn't recommend Lydia highly enough, she is wonderful.
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by
Heather
about
SmileyB
on 22/03/2019
Response by
SmileyB
on 22/03/2019:
Aww Heather thank you so much, that brought a happy tear to my eye. I love what I do and it is a real privilege to have the pleasure of caring for your children xx
Lydia cared for my son from about 18 months old until he started school.
I was apprehensive about putting my 2nd son in any kind of childcare as my 1st had been looked after by his grandparents. From the moment I met Lydia I knew she was going to provide the loving, nurturing care that I wanted for my little boy. She welcomed us both into her lovely, calm, peaceful home.
My son thrived in her care, Lydia always went the extra mile to ensure that his day was filled with fun, happy times. I was kept updated with what he’d done, what he’d eaten and was regularly sent pictures of him enjoying days out, crafting, playing, learning. I never felt the need to send him to a pre school as Lydia provided exactly that. He was regularly taken to toddler groups and she ensured he interacted with lots of other children. If I had any concerns Lydia always listened and would offer excellent advice. She’s thoughtful, never missed an occasion to make little gifts for my son to bring home. She’d spend so much time crafting but also teaching him the values.
He was more than then ready for school, by the time that came round. She is an outstanding, loving and very caring childminder, and all the children in her care are always very happy.
I couldn’t have asked for a better childminder to provide that for my son.
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I feel so lucky to have found Lydia to care for my daughter.
My daughter is cared for in a loving, homely and nurturing environment where she is loved as a mother loves a child.
Lydia goes that extra step with all her mindees, offering excellent care and attention and 1:1 support when needed. My daughter speech is advanced for her age and she knows many words.
My daughter loves being cared for by Lydia, she gets excited when we approach her house.
I can not explain how blessed I feel to have Lydia in our lives.
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