Ap Gemma Stewart
Childminder in Potters Bar
Usually responds within 12 hours
Female Member since Dec 2014 Last Updated Feb 2025 Last Login 28 Apr 2025
My Summary
About Me
I know how important it is to you to ensure that your child is not only safe and protected but also happy, loved and respected. I provide a child-led service which is based on my principles and experience of gentle parenting and promoting individuality and self-esteem. Each child in my care has their developmental and emotional needs met and their choices respected. I help each child thrive and I nurture their natural curiosity about the world around them while providing consistent and loving care.
I believe in the importance of messy play, outdoor play, first friend-making, dressing up and storytelling, encountering conflict and finding ways of resolving it. Play builds brain pathways for thinking, creativity, flexibility, empathy and many other lifelong skills. When children are allowed to grow at their own pace, they learn that they are supported and understood, that they can try new things whenever they are ready and that they can pursue what interests them. I encourage wonder, questions and independent exploration. Every activity is done for the joy of discovery and the children develop a love, not a resentment, of learning. In my setting, they learn that life is fascinating and marvellous.
My Experience
In my previous life (prior to having my own children) I worked as a Chartered Management Accountant and Insolvency Practitioner at a top 10 accountancy firm in the City. Since the arrival of my first child in 2010, I have created and run various gentle parenting groups and babywearing support groups in East London and, more recently, Potters Bar. I volunteered as the Postnatal Coordinator of Tower Hamlets NCT until moving home. I now have three of my own children, all of whom have been gentle parented, a practice which extends to my childminding service.
My Qualifications
I have a strong academic background culminating in studying Mathematics at University College London (UCL), an Economics and Accountancy degree, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) membership and various Business Recovery and Insolvency qualifications. Far more relevantly, however, on top of the standard required childcare provision qualifications including first aid and safeguarding children, I have followed my passion and studied topics such as attachment theory, avoiding rivalry, brain development, childhood mental health and wellbeing and the neuroscience of our emotions.
My Availability
| 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: 16/02/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £8.00 per hour
Variable depending upon requirements, starting at £8 per hour.
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 17/10/2019)
- Inspection Report: Ofsted Report (added 08/06/2024)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for AP Gemma Stewart. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk members 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.
Gemma cared for my daughter from the age of 11 months until she started school at five. My daughter was a high needs baby, so I worried about whether she would settle with anyone who wasn’t me. Gemma offers a very high level of attuned care, and was flexible in meeting my daughter’s needs. As a result, my daughter settled so well and was incredibly happy with Gemma.
Gemma has a very calm home and a truly gentle nature, and this plays out in the interactions between her, her children and her minded children. Her lovely teenage daughter is endlessly patient and wonderful with the little ones. I still see Gemma’s gentle style in the way my daughter thinks things through, interacts with others and resolves conflict.
I was very happy with the opportunities Gemma offered for independent play, alongside taking the children on great days out (her Willows membership is well used!). Gemma offers delicious home cooked food and my usually fussy daughter ate really well with her and her family.
Gemma also recognised and met my daughter’s special educational needs as these emerged, and worked closely with me to do so. She supported my decision to start my summer-born daughter at school at compulsory school age, and gave me helpful advice about choosing a preschool and school. I always found her approachable and supportive. She shared regular updates and photos of my daughter‘s day which are lovely to receive, and to look back on.
My daughter remembers her ‘Gemma days’ with great affection. Gemma and her family have become our lifelong friends, and my daughter loves Gemma’s lovely children. I couldn’t have wished for a better start in life for my child, and I will always be grateful to Gemma.
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BarnetM
on 09/03/2024
Gemma took care of my sons when they were 3- and 1-years-old. She is incredibly kind, patient and intuitive with children and an inspiration to me as a parent with her approach to childcare. She recognised the very different personalities of my sons adapting activities to their individual needs and developmental stages. When my older son struggled with confidence speaking she was inspirational in supporting him and when my younger son had difficulty napping she was so patient and comforting he’d fall asleep in her arms. She has a lovely garden with a mud kitchen and water play and an excellent range of developmental toys and sensory books. Most importantly for me, when my sons were with Gemma, I felt they became part of her family; always loved, valued and emotionally secure. I’m enormously grateful to her for this care and highly recommend her as a childminder but much more beyond this.
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Norelene
on 11/04/2021
Gem provided wraparound care for my daughter. She is a wonderful childminder - nurturing and kind. My daughter can be reserved until she knows and trusts someone, and Gem really took the time and effort to build my child's trust in her. I could be completely confident that my child's news or worries after school would be listened to.
I feel very lucky to have found her.
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by
Parent
on 19/03/2019
Gemma looked after my daughter, Anna, from 9 months to 3 years when her brother was born and we moved away. It was such a relief to find someone who didn't dismiss her separation anxiety or expect her to already be able to self settle in a cot. Gemma worked with her through her tantrums with empathy and understanding. She really views all the children in her care as unique individuals with differing complex needs and does her all to make the children feel loved and secure and meet those needs rather than expecting the children to fit in with her and her routine. Gemma really does have an unbelievable amount of patience. Anna adores Gemma and her daughter and still asks to see them all the time. She's so amazing I asked her to be my son's godmother.
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by
Parent
on 27/10/2017
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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.
