Starblue
Childminder in Shenley
Usually responds within 3 hours
Female Member since Feb 2017 Last Updated Feb 2024 Last Login 21 Mar 2024
My Summary
About Me
Please have a read through my profile and my references . It would be lovely to hear from you.
I have been awarded a certificate of excellence, by childcare.co.uk.
(I will also be offering the new Government’s proposed funded 15 hrs for those eligible from Apr 24 onwards and the new 30 funded hrs from Sept 24 onwards. I am already on the early years funding scheme for Herts.)
I offer a nurturing caring loving and safe home environmental based professional good quality childcare service, for your baby / child to thrive in with their own tailored unique developmental learning plans in place to support them to grow and blossom. . The children in my care are very happy and settled and secure. Their safeguarding and happiness is the most important thing to me next to their speech development and overall learning and bonding and having good relationships with them and their families. I regularly complete my refresher Safeguarding Training to be compliant with any changes. I am a volunteer Trustee for Safeguarding within my local community.
*I have a very fair hourly system in place based on hours per week. This also reflects my skills set and wealth of experience for caring for babies and toddlers over the years. I work all year round but not on Bank Holidays. (No charges for BH or my holidays , my sickness, or my occasional days off) My hourly rates are reflected on hours per week needed. Parents are happy with this system in place. There are “no hidden” extra costs.
I offer speech support, once confirmed by a speech therapist.
I maintain my childcare professional development by keeping up to date with changes in childcare and legislation, and completing various interesting courses.
I closely monitor development progress and behaviours and feelings, emotions. I regularly praise and reward good behaviour. I have daily wellbeing checks in place and mood charts. I have introduced one day a week a topic all about child mental health covering feelings and behaviours, emotions and yoga and music calmness and tranquillity.
I offer nutritious healthy healthy foods. I also am compliant with the Safer Food Better Business for childminders, and regularly complete my Food Hygiene refresher training and allergy awareness training and updates.
I have in place weekly and structured themed lesson plans and tailor them to ages of baby / child. Resources: puzzles, electronic toys, water toys, garden toys, maths, counting reading and writing activities, and roleplay, creative arts, a wide range of activities. I use my yearly planner to implement activities, festivals, and celebrations.
We have regular outings and trips: a variety of different parks, visit Willows Farm, RAF Hendon, shops such as greengrocer, florist, bakery, post office train station pet shop. I have organised for a police car and fire engine to come visit, when possible, to do so which the children really enjoyed.
I have robust infection and cleaning practises in place.
I enjoy working closely with parents and carers and this works well. I provide regular updates: wellbeing, overall development, monthly progress, feedback, reflections, readiness for school self-care and hygiene and teeth including potty training, reading writing, relationships healthy eating , daily exercise.
I maintain my policies and keep up to date with changes. I attend regular refresher courses and any other courses I am interested in learning about for my personal interest and benefits to my childcare business.
When a new baby / child begins at my setting I ask for an all about me form and wellness questionnaire and daily routine to be completed so I can gage their starting points and implement a tailored plan for their needs.
I have years of experience of supporting children with speech delay. Once they have a diagnosis from a Speech Therapist, I work closely with them and implement role play and other activities to support them and parents / carers have seen significant improvement in their child’s speech prior to starting school, with their child I have supported.
I was previously employed by the Metropolitan Police Service for over 19 years and some of my qualifications and skills gained have really benefited my setting.
My Experience
I have over 20 years experience of looking after children from premature giving medication, pre schoolers and up to the ages of 10 yrs old. I also have experience with looking after children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Aspergers Syndrome, looking after twins. I have done lots of babysitting over the years as well including some nannying work . I have helped support children improve their speech delay with significant improvements. I have found my niche and really enjoy watching little ones develop through their different stages.
I adopt an honest reliable trustworthy and professional childcare setting.
My Qualifications
Qualifications:
I am currently studying a distance learning Stress Management/ Coach Trainer level 4 advanced diploma professional qualification, to enhance my setting. It also covers stress, behaviours, nutrition for children, children's mental health and families.
May 23
Safeguarding various courses
Changes to Early Years Foundation Stage
Feb 23:
Understanding child development and the EYFS
Brain development and how children learn
Paediatric Refresher course practical and online blended learning May 22
Safeguarding children course April 22
Level 3 Food Handling May 22
Introducing mathematical development and the natural world May 22
Feb 22:
An introduction to speech language and communication in the early years
An introduction to mathematical development in the early years
An introduction to financial education in early years
Changes to EYFS from Sept 21
Combined cultural capital and equality and diversity (District workshop) 21/05/21
Effective Partnership Working with Fathers 04/05/21
Supporting children with speech, language and communication needs 04/05/21
Expectations of behaviour 08/01/21
Supporting children's emotional wellbeing 07/01/21
Raising developmental concerns 07/01/21
Early Years Foundation Event HRH Duchess of Cambridge Oct 20
Mental Health Awareness in adults and children) 12/07/20
Infection Control and Prevention 12/07/20
Refresher Safeguarding Children 30 04 20
Delivering the EYFS 04/10/19
Level 2 food safety and hygiene for early years settings 03/10/19
Refresher Paediatric 2 day course 12 hrs with defib 100% pass on exam June 19
CPD Certificate General Data Protection Regulation 25/05/18
Preventing Radicalisation and Extremism 08/10/17
Delivering the EYFS 02/02/17
An Introduction to Children Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder 02/02/17
Paediatric First Aid Course 12 hours 21/05/16
The revised EYFS 2012 16/10/2012
Understand how to set up a home based childcare service cache 4 credits level 3 council for awards in Care, Health, and Education
Certificate of registration with Ofsted EY491890 dated 17/08/2015
I was previously employed by the Metropolitan Police Service for over 19 and a half yrs.
From previous employment:
Various Trainer Qualifications safeguarding children, domestic violence, assertiveness
Difficult conversations course 11/11/2009
Coaching skills course 17/02/2009
Basic Health and Safety Trainer 26/01/2009 to 27/01/2009
Dynamic Risk Assessment Course 23/10/2006
Intranet Publishing Course 08/12/2005
Risk Assessment for Instructor's 06/07/2005
Manual Handling Instructor's course 22/09/2005 to 21/09/2008
Leadership Programme for Senior Manager's 22- 29 June 2005
COSHH Assessor Course 01/06/2005 to 31/05/2008
Health and Safety Awareness 01/12/2005
RNID Deaf awareness training 23/11/05
Introduction to Management Course 19/07/2002
Excel 22/04/1999
Occasional Speaker Course 08/06/1998 to 09/06/1998
Intermediate Word 08/05/1998
Other:
5 GCSES Maths English Literature and English Oral, French, Office Practise Studies
Btec First Award Diploma in Business and Finance July 1989
Btec National Diploma Award in Business and Finance July 1990 to 1991
My Availability
My working hrs are Mon Tues Weds Thurs 08.30 hrs to 17.00 hrs. I do not work BH and I do not charge for those. I do NOT offer school / nursery drop offs or school / nursery pick ups. I do prefer long term care as baby/child settles better and adapts to learning and forms good relationships.
| 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: 27/02/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £7.50 per hour
I have in place a very fair fee system in place that works really well, based on number of hours and days needed per week. This is also based on my experience and skills set.
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
- Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination (added 27/02/2024)
- DBS Check (added 22/02/2024)
- Training Certificate: Dept of Education (added 21/03/2023)
- Training Certificate: Dept of Education (added 21/03/2023)
- Training Certificate: Paediatric First Aid 12 hrs (added 25/05/2022)
- Training Certificate: Level 3 Food Safety (added 07/05/2022)
- Training Certificate: Changes to the EYFS 2021 (added 28/04/2022)
- Training Certificate: Introducing mathematical development and the natural world (added 28/04/2022)
- Training Certificate: An Introduction to financial education in the early years (added 28/04/2022)
- Training Certificate: An Introduction to mathematical development in the early years (added 28/04/2022)
- Training Certificate: An Introduction to Speech, language and communication in the early years (added 28/04/2022)
- Training Certificate: Safeguarding Refresher Apr 22 (added 28/04/2022)
- Training Certificate: Supporting Children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (added 04/05/2021)
- Training Certificate: Supporting Children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (added 04/05/2021)
- Training Certificate: Supporting Children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (added 04/05/2021)
- Training Certificate: Supporting Children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (added 04/05/2021)
- Training Certificate: Supporting Children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (added 04/05/2021)
- Training Certificate: Effective Partnership working with Fathers (added 04/05/2021)
- Training Certificate: Working in partnership with Fathers (added 04/05/2021)
- Training Certificate: Expectations of behaviour (added 08/01/2021)
- Training Certificate: Raising developmental concerns with parents (added 08/01/2021)
- Training Certificate: Supporting Children's Emotional Wellbeing (added 08/01/2021)
- Training Certificate: Mental Health Awareness (added 13/07/2020)
- Training Certificate: Infection Control and Prevention (added 13/07/2020)
- Training Certificate (added 11/05/2020)
- Childminding Agency Certificate (added 23/08/2022)
- Reference: Key Worker Status (added 23/08/2022)
- Reference: Certificate of excellence (added 23/08/2022)
- First Aid Certificate: Blended Paediatric First Aid e-learning module (added 10/05/2022)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Starblue. 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.
SJ is an experienced and conscientious childminder. Her setting is really homely and we found it the ideal place for our little boy to go as a move outside the family home. She is so creative and does lots of lovely arts and crafts with the children, which she plans and themes carefully.
She’s really helped our son with his language development and with starting to learn how to understand and express his feelings. SJ worked hard with him to help him navigate the birth of his baby sibling. SJ is caring and engaged with our son and our family, which we appreciate.
SJ keeps us informed with regular updates and photos about what our son has been doing. She is proactive about contacting us with any concerns, relevant information or suggestions. She is very reliable and conscientious about her working hours.
Overall
We feel very fortunate to have found SJ as our childcare provider. She possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience, is reliable, compassionate, and always has a smile on her face.
Our son started with SJ when he was just 10 months old and experienced typical separation anxiety in the beginning. However, SJ did an marvellous job of helping him feel comfortable and loved, and he now looks forward to going to her every day. She sends us pictures and updates regularly, which are not only reassuring but also a lovely touch.
SJ has given our son an excellent start in life. She introduced him to solid food, helped him learn to stand up, and provided a nurturing and safe environment. The children participate in various activities throughout the day, including art, story time, and yoga, and our son always seems content and well-fed when we pick him up.
As first-time parents, we have learned so much from SJ. She has shared invaluable information with us about games we can play with our son at home, and even provided us with alerts about bad weather or viruses. We are grateful for her guidance and support.
Overall, we are thrilled with the warm and loving environment that SJ provides for our son. We highly recommend her to anyone looking for outstanding childcare.
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SJ is not only an amazing childminder who is caring, supportive and kind, she is dedicated to delivering the best environment for your child to thrive in. I have never felt more assured of someone looking after my 2 year old son who is fearless and has tons of energy. She provides a calm, safe and nurturing setting in which he continues to thrive every day. They do something active, creative and curriculum based every day all in line with his correct development stages. His progression is great and monitored very professionally. We receive updates every day including photos, reports and general communication throughout. I cannot recommend SJ enough and would be happy to speak to any parents.
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My son has thrived with SJ, we were so lucky to find her. He has had a few issues with his speech post lockdown and we could not have asked for more support with this, he is now a little chatterbox!
SJ is kind and caring and always incredibly professional and honest.
We will be very sad to leave her setting when my son starts School in September.
I very highly recommend!
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SJ is a lovely, caring, warm childminder who obviously has the children’s best interests front and centre and is dedicated to her work. Our son really enjoys his days with her and brings home lots of lovely pictures, craft activities etc - she is very creative! SJ has worked with him and supported him to develop his language, counting and colours too. He learns so much in her setting.
SJ has always kept us well informed of what she does with the children day-to-day and regularly sends pictures or details of activities they’ve done. She is reliable and gives plenty of notice of holiday dates etc.
We are delighted to have our son looked after by SJ and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.
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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.
