Sam
Childminder in London: Croydon
Usually responds within 1 hour
Female Member since Sep 2011 Last Updated May 2024 Last Login 21 May 2024
My Summary
About Me
I am a registered childminder that has been childminding since 2003
When i had my first son I gave up work in an office to become a stay at home mum, I then decided to childmind to give parents a lovely, safe, and fun environment for their children while they went to work, after 21 years I am still very enthusiastic about caring for other peoples children and enjoy every minute of it! also every day is never the same which makes it even more enjoyable!
I offer a lovely, happy, stimulating and hygienic setting, where children are included and treated as part of our family.
I solely care for the under 4s.
I do not offer school pickups sorry
INDOORS:
The children have access to a large front room with lots of natural light and is air conditioned duting the summer months, I have a large selection of toys available that the children can use independently, I also set up different themes and activities and include open ended natural resources too, I always change the play areas frequently to help keep the children stimulated. I also use the conservatory for messy play.
OUTSIDE
I have a large garden with lots of exciting play areas for the children to explore, including a decking area with ride on cars, mini childrens garden with playhouse, swings, slides, a little "forest feel' area with tee pee and mud kitchen, sand and water play. We have a swimming pool and paddling pool during the summer months. I have a large baby friendly area where I have foam play mats (just outside the front room which we use daily)
OUT AND ABOUT
I aim to get out and about everyday, we enjoy visiting places such as Hampton Court Magical gardens, beach trips, farms, soft play centres, strawberry picking, woodland walks and Theme Parks, I meet up with other childminders for days out/ picnics and i also used to run a forest school once a week for other childminders in the area and am looking to start this again at some point.
PETS
I have 2 little poochon dogs that are extremely friendly and have hypoallergenic fur and 1 siamese short haired cat.
I WhatsApp parents with a daily diary and photographs and follow the Early Years Foundation Stage.
** My fees include, nappies, wipes, food, and outings **
My Experience
Childminding for 21 years
Caring for childminded children aged from 3 weeks to 9 years
I also have experience with bereavement and helping children through tough times, also children with stammering.
My Qualifications
Nvq level 3 in Childcare
Paediatric first aid course
Food hygiene certificate
Safeguarding course
Plus other child related day courses
Ofsted registered
My Availability
I’ll have a space available from Sept 2024 and then in October 2024
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 | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Last Updated: 15/05/2024 |
My Fees
- Childminding from £7.50 per hour
Please call to discuss as part time and full time differ. I do include everything in my fees, all meals, nappies, wipes, outings etc
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 11/04/2020)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Sam. 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.
We were lucky enough to meet Sam during lockdown when our usual childminder was no longer available. My daughter who was 2 at that time had not seen or been anywhere other than our home for 5 months (due to lockdown) and was extremely shy and apprehensive to be in an unfamiliar place. Sam was so welcoming and friendly, she was so gentle with my daughter and gave her the space and time to settle in. Once she was settled of course she really came out of her shell and it was clear that they soon became good pals.
My daughter really loved going to Sam’s house exploring all the fun activities within her home. When the restrictions lifted and they were able to go out. Sam would take them to all sorts of wonderful places, she has membership to pretty much all the local places. Hever Castle, National Trust, farms, playgrounds, walking the dogs, feeding ducks, even a day out at the seaside. My daughter absolutely loved the setting. It is a big space with so many different toys and fun activities. The garden and decking is absolutely brilliant.
Sam has a very loving and fun nature. She is very caring, full of cuddles and giggles. The children love being with her as she is always full of energy and laughs. She is a good listener and is attentive to the children's needs. Her sons are very sweet with the children and have Sam’s natural relaxed nature.
My daughter is lucky enough to be going back to Sam’s this summer and is really excited. She is already talking about Sam and her dogs. We know that she will have a lovely time and will be well cared for.
We have had Sam as our childminder since April 2020 (I was a keyworker in lockdown). My daughter and son started together initially, and then when my daughter started pre school, my son continued on his own until starting preschool in April 2022. Although they both still go in the school holidays if we are lucky enough to get a space! We are actually hoping to be back this August. They have absolutely loved their time with Sam, and my daughter (age 5 now) considers it a massive treat if she gets to go! She also loves Sam’s dogs so much, to the point where one of them was first on the list of invites to her 5th birthday party! Sam came a close second on the list.
Prior to finding Sam we used a nursery for my daughter, which was fine, but for us there was no comparison between the two, and I only wish we had found Sam sooner! I visited a number of childminders before visiting Sam, but when I found her, I knew she was the one!
Sam is very caring, real, down to earth, creative and honest. She has a great sense of humour and is good fun to be around. She is also very experienced, knowledgeable, reliable, and has a genuine passion for her job. She relates really well with the children and has a fantastic rapport with them. We have met her boys many times at pick ups, and they are also such friendly, gentle, polite kids, and lovely with the children.
Sam has taken our children out to so many different places and she is very creative with all the different activities she provides at home too. Her home setting is extremely
well set up - both indoors and outdoor. Even when I go inside, I don’t want to leave as it’s such a lovely homely atmosphere. There is often a theme for the month and no day is the same! This summer my boy enjoyed the pet caterpillars which they fed each day until they turned into butterflies and then were released into the great outdoors! Sam sends so many lovely photos through the day of what they are getting up to, it usually makes me feel quite envious, but also provides a great deal of reassurance that they are loved, safe and having great fun.
I honestly could not recommend Sam highly enough. Our family love her loads and very much plan to always keep in touch!
Thank you Sam xxx
by Jimjam about Sam on 13/06/2022
Response by Sam on 13/06/2022:
Thankyou for my lovely review, I miss my little kiddies, they both brightened up my days and bought so much fun to my setting !! I'm looking forward to having them back in the holidays.. see you lovely lot soon xxxx
To say Sam is a God send is an understatement. Sam has massively exceeded our expectations in every way. Both our kids, a 2 year old and a 10 month old love her so much. We have loved hearing our 2 year old talk about trips Sam has taken her on and cherished the pictures she sends everyday so we still feel a part of our children's day. The care and attention Sam shows our children is incredible. From making us feel at ease with our first child care experience to genuinely wanting to stay in the local area to be close enough to continue having Sam as our child minder (this unfortunately didn't work out). Sam has helped us every step of the way, always great with advise and the genuine interest in the child's making sure they are developing well, knowing what the problem is with either or both kids that we've wrecked our brains scrambling to figure out. Sam is not only an exceptional child minder she is an amazing person and we are devastated to be moving away from her.
by Matthew about Sam on 24/05/2021
Response by Sam on 27/11/2021:
Thankyou so much for my lovely review! I already miss the eagerness when they used to arrive wanting to get in the house and shouting "Sam open the door!!" I will stay in touch so I can watch them both grow.. I miss them soooo much xx
Sam is very loving and hardworking. She offers alot of interesting activities and is very active in communicating with parents and to discuss concerns with them. My son always loved going to her place ... had a great experience being with her. Would definitely recommend to others !!
by msbhatti about Sam on 30/06/2020
Response by Sam on 30/06/2020:
Thankyou for your lovely review.. I will miss little man.. all the best for the future xx
Sam has been looking after our son 4 days a week since he was 8 months old (he’s now 2) and we knew from the first time we met her that she was the one we wanted to trust with our baby.
Sam is very down to earth, we were blown away by her clean and very well presented home, there is just so much to do in the house and garden all with the kids in mind and we loved the fact she had three boys of her own and she took our son on under her wing like one of her own babies!
Picking a childminder is so tough and an emotional journey for both parents but we haven’t for a second worried about him while he is with Sam, he is so happy and content and has come on leaps and bounds with all the learning and adventures he does every single day! He is always out and about doing something some kids never get to do, trips to the beach, sealife, the farm, theme parks, the list is endless. Good Childminder’s who can cater to literally every need is so rare but we have found that in Sam 100%.
We were also very impressed with her homemade cooking from day one, all included it’s all good honest healthy and good food as well as nappies included is a blessing for two working busy parents who are forgetful!! Sam literally has thought of everything and our son never goes without!!! He also loves her animals and her kids are besotted with him too which is just amazing. It’s like a second family!
I would recommend sam to everyone and anyone I know she really is one in a million , 5 stars in every category there is!! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
by TheresaD about Sam on 06/03/2020
Response by Sam on 10/03/2020:
Awwww thankyou for such a lovely review!! I love my little 4th child :) he really does bring so much joy and fun to my house and you are just the best parents to work for too!!
I hope to keep in touch with you all forever!!! and watch little man grow!!
Love you all xxx
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