Fun Play Develop
Childminder in St Albans
Usually responds within 3 hours
Female Member since Apr 2009 Last Updated May 2025 Last Login 21 May 2025
My Summary
Supporting Government’s 15 Funded Hours, Flexible Childcare, Great For Professionals In Education
About Me
Hello I live just off the Harpenden Road, near Townsend School, and less than 10min drive from the train station. There’s a large garden with wide variety of toys, exploration and learning opportunities. I love to take full advantage of nature walks with the children in Batchwood just 5 min from my door. The children enjoy our regular trips to different local parks like Fleetwood, Clarence and Verulamium. We regularly attend local playgroups, we are creative with art and music time, but baking is also a firm favourite with the kids too!
I love play and providing experiences, suiting an individual child centred approach. I love sharing that with both child and parents, I am proactive and take pride being more than “just a babysitter”.
My whole philosophy of childcare revolves around play and the individual needs of the child. I feel very strongly that children learn through play and enjoy learning when different experiences are put before them. I am bilingual and speak fluent Spanish, this September I am introducing the language into our setting with regular music and games to enhance their learning.
Safety and the welfare of the child are my priorities at all times. We do have some structure to our day basing activites around the different educational and developmental needs of all the children, but I very much also feel that it is important to develop the day to what suits the children and how they would like to spend their time with me too, for example bringing bikes and scooters,.
I can collect siblings after school (no drop offs) from Garden Fields School.
My Experience
I’ve been providing Ofsted registered childcare for 15 years. Currently I have children in ages ranging from 14 months to 4 years, not to mention the afterschoolers ages 5-7 years as well. I’ve have minded many bi-lingual children and supported their learning of languages and more recently have been working closely with children who are experiencing speech delay after lock-down.
My Qualifications
Myself and all members of my family have current Criminal Records Bureau (Enhanced) checks. Paediatric First Aid Certificate, Level 3 certificate in Safeguarding Children. I have a NVQ3 in Children's Care Learning and Development as well a Certificate. Diploma in Home Based Childcare. I have also done extensive training in Terrific Talkers provided by Herts for Learning. And music training with Boogie Mites.
My Availability
April 2024: I currently have a vacancy for a baby under 1. In April children whose parents are returning to work may be eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare. Contact me if you’d like to know more and if this may help you back to work.
I take pride in a flexible approach to parent’s needs for flexible childcare. I aim to work with you to provide childcare that is less disruptive to both you and your child. Days and hours can be tailored as much as possible and being flexible to your needs during Hertfordshire school terms.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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: 18/05/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £8.00 per hour
Currently I offer offer both full year and term time only contracts. If childcare is required out of term a separate arrangement can be made to suit your needs. As I am OFSTED registered payments can be made through the government childcare tax free system with a saving to you of up to £2,000.
My Local Schools
- I provide pick ups at Margaret Wix Primary School
- I provide pick ups at Garden Fields Junior Mixed and Infant 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
- Ofsted Certificate (added 22/06/2022)
- Training Certificate: Essentials for Child Protection (added 26/04/2025)
- Other (added 20/05/2023)
- First Aid Certificate: Full Paediatric First Aid (added 20/05/2023)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Parents say
This childminder is highly praised for providing warm, welcoming, and flexible care. Parents consistently report that their children enjoy their time there, engaging in various activities and making friends. The caregiver is described as nurturing, supportive, and attentive, offering regular updates and creating a home-like environment that fosters children's development and happiness.
Summary generated by AI from the text of recent member reviews
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Fun Play Develop. 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.
Yvonne is a truly kind, welcoming, and friendly childminder. My daughter always looks forward to the days she spends with Yvonne during the school holidays, and she’s full of excitement when telling me all about her day on the car ride home. It’s such a comfort knowing she’s in caring hands while I’m at work. The thoughtful updates Yvonne sends throughout the day are always lovely to receive, and picking up a happy, content child at the end of the day says it all.
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by
Katie
on 20/05/2025
Response by
Fun Play Develop
on 20/05/2025:
Gosh, thank you for sharing your thoughts and your daughter’s experiences with me Katie. One of my aims is to help parents feel safe in the knowledge that their little ones are well cared for so they can go to work without worry. It’s heartwarming to hear you both feel this way because I love her pure joy and love of animals so much, it makes my day!
Yvonne looked after my 7 year old daughter during the summer holiday, shortly after we returned to the UK after an extended period living abroad. Yvonne was very supportive of my daughter during this period of transition. My daughter really enjoyed her time at Yvonne's, went for walks, attended play groups and did lots of creative activities. She enjoyed playing in the large garden and it was very helpful for me that Yvonne provided dinner too in the evenings. My daughter made new friends and always came home happy. Yvonne has been flexible in arranging childcare at short notice, welcoming, understanding and responded to messages quickly. She's also kept me updated about the fun activities my daughter's been doing and her achievements. I would recommend Yvonne to other parents looking for welcoming, friendly and flexible childcare.
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Myrtha
on 18/07/2024
Both my kids have been going to Yvonne since they were 9 months old, my oldest is now nearly 6 and still goes after school. Yvonne is so caring, nurturing and fun, the household is so warm and welcoming and for my kids it's genuinely a home from home where their development is nurtured and tailored to them. Highly recommended.
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OB1
on 21/06/2022
Yvonne has been providing after school care for our 4 year old for almost a year now, picking up from Garden Fields and will also happily help in the half-term. Yvonne makes the effort to keep the children stimulated, taking them to the playground and providing lots of outdoor play. We couldn't ask for a better childminder!
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Sarah234
on 20/06/2022
Response by
Fun Play Develop
on 20/06/2022:
Thank you Sarah for your very kind review, it's lovely to hear and I appreciate it very much. Children need time, space and an outlet to unwind after a hard school day and to be able to just relax during the school holidays enjoying being a child.
My daughter has been going to Yvonne's since she was 9 months and is just about to turn 3. Yvonne really does offer a home from home and the fact that my daughter just walks straight in, barely turning say goodbye, is testament to how much she loves it. Getting time with the "big kids" after school pick up is a big highlight, as is the outdoor fun and relaxed play. It was really tough making the decision for childcare as a first time mum, but I'm so glad we found Yvonne and feel so much more relaxed going back to work after having my son knowing he'll be going here too. Highly recommended.
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OB1
on 09/09/2019
Yvonne has looked after my son and daughter for many years, from pre-school to nursery, right up to Year 2. She does daily activities with the kids, takes them out on local excursions and they have a wonderful time. Unlike many pre-school institutions there is a very homely feel to her care. She is very professional and Ofsted approved, but it's the extra warmth that I liked. And I would recommend her to anyone.
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by
Parent
on 27/06/2012
The contents of this review are no longer available as the reviewer's account has been deleted.
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by
Parent
on 25/06/2012
Yvonne has been childminding my youngest son for the last 3 years. I also have 2 elder children at primary school and it was imperative to me to find childcare that could be flexible enough for me to juggle school runs aswell as picking him up from playgroup and nursery. There are some days my work requires me to work longer hours, and Yvonne is always happy to keep hold of my son, aswell as taking on my other 2 children for me so I only have to worry about one venue to pickup, with no stress involved in what time I HAVE to be there to pickup - this is relevant for both ends of the day too. To all my three children it is home from home when they are at Yvonnes, and are delighted to have any kind of meal with her too.
Yvonne always goes that extra mile with my son - has more patience and energy with the under 5s than anyone I know. She cooks him home-cooked meals each day, texts me pictures of his activities, tells me funny stories of what he has done or said and takes him out to lots of different local places that would not normally be available to him if he was at a nursery - he loves the local woods, scooting, visiting the shops and simply running around the playing fields - just like he would do at home with me.
I would fully recommend Yvonne for the home style flexibility that is not available at nurseries. I have been using childminders for 10 years and have used many - I can honestly say she is a gem and definately worth giving her a call. When my son starts big school in September she will be greatly missed.
Thanks Yvonne for all your help!
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by
Parent
on 18/06/2012
Response by
Fun Play Develop
on 10/09/2012:
Lesley, it is the end of a very successful partnership as your little man embarks to full-time school. Something I've learned is that each child brings his or her little character to my setting and he certainly has brought a lot of character to mine! I can honestly say it has been a real pleasure working for all of you and that is largely in part because your expectations and values as a parent mirror those of my own.
Meeting individual needs, both that of parents and children, is always high on my priorities and I am very grateful to you for acknowledging that in your lovely review. I know that our paths will often cross each other for years to come and I look forward to seeing all your children grow up in what will seem as no time at all.
The contents of this review are no longer available as the reviewer's account has been deleted.
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by
Parent
on 15/06/2012
Response by
Fun Play Develop
on 09/09/2012:
Thank you Bernie for your very kind review. It's lovely to have parents who clearly take a great deal of interest in their child's care and work very hard with me to make sure we all give Ciara a really good start. Ciara is a joy to look after and now that's she's at the stage of getting ready for nursery real fun to challenge and encourage.
One of my main aims is to give you the confidence to know that you can go to work reliably and without worry. I consider myself very fortunate to have both children and parents who are such a pleasure to work for. Many thanks once again.
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