Esme
Childminder in Downham Market
Usually responds within 12 hours
Female Member since Sep 2010 Last Updated Mar 2023 Last Login 12 Apr 2024
My Summary
About Me
I am Esme a fully insured Ofsted registered childminder based in Downham Market in Norfolk. I also go by the name of Little Squiggles.
At Little Squiggles I provide a warm, friendly, safe, home from home environment with a family atmosphere in which I will include involvement in activities such as cooking, shopping, gardening, family mealtimes and where your child can play, learn and develop. Children will receive consistent one-to-one attention whilst enjoying interaction with others.
I am married and have 2 daughters aged 13 and 7. We also have a very friendly Springador dog called Rory! My husband is a full time police officer and is also registered as my assistant. We both have a DBS check and are first aid trained. I live in a 3 bedroom house with a good sized enclosed garden. We have a playroom with lots of toys, a child friendly kitchen, a lounge mainly used for quiet time and a downstairs toilet. Our home is safe, friendly and a strictly non smoking environment. All of our animals are well managed and although our dog is a very friendly family pet he is kept in a kennel outside and never comes into contact with the children. Please be assured that as much as I love and trust my animals, I would NEVER leave them unattended with any child and take my responsibility very seriously.
My approach to childminding is very active and includes regular trips to different toddler groups, local parks and playgrounds, nature walks, trips to the library and days out. We love spending time outdoor learning in the forest! We enjoy lots of activities which include cooking, crafting, messy play, drawing, painting, reading stories, board games, puzzles, play doh, dressing up, music and dance etc.
My Experience
I have been around children all my life and in 2009 when I had my first daughter childminding seemed the perfect path to take. I am very passionate about my work and really enjoy it!
My aim is to ensure that all the children in my care have a safe, clean, happy and fun home from home environment so they can learn, grow and develop to the best of their ability.
I treat all children as individuals and encourage them to be confident and independent. I encourage them to try new things and I'm happy to supply materials if they suggest something new they would like to do.
Parents can feel assured that children left in my care will be stimulated, well cared for and happy. It is important to me that parents can leave their most treasured possessions knowing they are in safe hands and having a positive, enjoyable experience.
I appreciate you as the parents are the most important people in your child’s life and therefore will consult with you on all aspects of your childs care.
I have testimonials written from past and present parents and am more than happy to share these.
My Qualifications
Early Years Foundation Stage Training - Completed 20th February 2010
Diploma in home childcare Unit 1 of the CACHE Level 3 - Completed 6th March 2010
Local Safeguarding Children Board Training – Updated every 3 years
First Aid for Childcare Practitioners – Updated every 3 years
Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2 (Catering) – Updated every 3 years
Food Hygiene Rating 5*
Transitions and Starting Points Support Meeting -Completed 28th September 2011
Information Sharing and the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) Training - Completed 7th February 2012
TQUK Level 2 certificate in Understanding children and young people's mental health (RFQ) - 29th March 2022
Prevent Training – 7th November 2022
Key Person Approach – 27th January 2023
Planning a curriculum for children in the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) – 8th February 2023
I regularly complete training sessions, webinars and courses covering all aspects of child care, including child development, child protection, child welfare, children’s first aid and healthy eating.
My Availability
Please contact me for up to date vacancies. Please message me or visit my website.
I offer early years, before and after school and school holiday care.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Evening | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 15/03/2023 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £4.80 per hour
Between 7am and 5.30pm - £4.80 per hour
Fee's include: Healthy snacks, drinks, breakfast, homemade lunch and evening meal if required. Transfers to and from playgroup and school.
I am eligible to offer 2,3 and 4 year old funded places.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any requirements outside of these days/hours. I always do my best to accommodate parents working patterns/shift work.
Before and after school care - Hillcrest school only
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Downham Market, Hillcrest Primary School
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
- Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination (added 30/03/2022)
- Exam Certificate: TQUK Level 2 Understanding children and young people’s mental health (RFQ) (added 30/03/2022)
- First Aid Certificate: FAA LEVEL 3 AWARD IN PAEDIATRIC FIRST AID (RQF) Qualification (added 21/09/2021)
- Training Certificate: Introduction to Safeguarding Children Training (added 06/07/2021)
- Training Certificate: Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene - 5* Food Hygiene Rating (added 06/07/2021)
- Training Certificate: Child Protection Course ~ CPD Certified (added 26/05/2020)
- Training Certificate: EYFS made Simple ~ CPD Certified (added 26/05/2020)
- Training Certificate: Cache Level 3 Diploma in home based Childcare (added 21/05/2020)
- Training Certificate: Introduction to Childcare Practice (added 21/05/2020)
- Basic Disclosure Check (added 18/03/2018)
- Ofsted Certificate (added 17/03/2018)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Esme. 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.
Esme has been our son's childminder for just under a year and if we were not relocating we would still be very much using her until our son started school in September.
Esme has been amazing and our son adores her and her family. Dropping him off each time, he cannot wait to run in and get started!
I would reccommend Esme at Little Squiggles as she is reliable, fun and incredibly loving towards all her mindees.
She provides a very safe, warm learning environment and our son has always eaten incredibly well there! A fantastic home from home.
We are absolutely gutted to be leaving her, but know she will be a treasure for another family.
Overall
My son has been going to Esme's for 2 years now and he sees her house as a second home.
She is always so welcoming and cheerful, I don't think I have ever seen her in anything but a good mood. Every morning she welcomes Evan into her house with a smile and is always interested in what he has to tell her. She has looked after Evan since he was 1 and so has been part of his development in so many ways. She helped as he learnt to talk and more recently she was a big help when it came to toilet training. Nothing is too much trouble for her and she is always very supportive with anything we want to do/try.
Evan has a lovely time with Esme and often asks to go and play at her house on my days off!
Esme has a lovely family all of whom engage with Evan as though he were part of their family. He is a big fan of Dave who always goes out of his way to chat/play with Evan when he is home.
I would recommend Esme to anyone who is looking for a childminder.
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Overall
I'm so pleased that I found Little Squiggles as our childminder. Esme has looked after our son since he was 9 months old. Esme provides a happy, safe, stimulating environment and our son settled in immediately. His days are always filled with lots of activities and we are always given a detailed written report of what he has been up to all day. He always has healthy, homecooked meals and it really does feel like a home-from-home for him.
I am 100% satisfied with the care provided by Little Squiggles and have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Esme. I wouldn't take my son to anyone else.
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Overall
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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.
