Mary
Childminder in Bittaford
Female Member since Apr 2015 Last Updated Sep 2025 Last Login 14 Oct 2025
My Summary
Outstanding Provider
About Me
I am an Ofsted registered child minder assessed as Outstanding in all areas at my statutory inspection on 24th August 2022, with all the relevant qualifications. I re trained in Early Years after a long career as a Registered Social worker with extensive child development, family work and therapeutic experience. I became a Registered Childminder in 2013.
I have three children of my own aged 18, 15 and 14. I enjoy: music; yoga; camping; swimming; walking; dancing; nature; reading and family time! I am particularly interested in: attachment; emotional development and literacy; communication and expression; imaginative development of children and young people. I especially love supporting children to engage and explore with/in nature. We also learn about nature together as well as an holistic range of activities. I aim for a democratic setting and we vote whenever appropriate over choices.
I take the children outside whenever it is safe to do so, and meeting their individual and group needs as priority. We access walks local to my home; we garden together and play in the garden here; we have walks and adventures on the moors; beach times; woods and tree times. I also utilise mindfulness and woodland bathing principles so having time among trees each week whenever the wind allows is an important part of our routine. Equally books and playing games together are daily experiences.
My Experience
I have extensive experience in caring for children of all ages and abilities. My background includes: babysitting throughout my teens; nannied for two families with children aged 3/8 and 1,4,5. Through my teens I also worked for MENCAP as a support worker for children and young people with learning disabilities attending holiday day camps.
Prior to having my children I worked as a children and families social worker for 14 years including therapeutic work involving play therapy and other forms of therapeutic assessment and intervention.
Since registering as a child minder I have cared for children aged between 4 months and 15 years. My preference is the development of a secure attachment for the children in my care so their care experience is positive and expanding allowing for maximum development outcomes. I have been privileged to work with children with additional needs. I stayed open through the first Covid19 lockdown to support key workers and welcomed one key worker child into my setting.
I have accessed higher eduction in early years 2024 to 2025 including full SENCO qualification and experience. I extend a warm welcome to all.
My Qualifications
Degree in Family and Childcare Studies.
DIPSW.
Safeguarding Level 3
Child minder Training.
Paediatric First Aid.
Speech and Language development in Early Years
Communication in Early Years.
Dyadic Developmental Psychology Level 1.
Counselling Skills Diploma Levels 1 & 2.
Leadership Course - 2 year course finished August 2023.
SENCO certification
My Availability
From October 2025, I am extending my offer with new days opening up again following training access.
I am taking bookings for immediate and future starts, including a waiting list with refundable deposit scheme available where possible.
I work in close partnership with another Childminder, Debbie Blackburn, to be able to offer extended hours, flexibility, consistency and cover if necessary. It also offers options for Ivybridge drop off and/of collection to meet some needs.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Morning | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Afternoon | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| After School | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 30/09/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £7.50 per hour
Price on application - variable depending on age
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)
- Inspection Report (added 22/09/2022)
Reviews
No reviews have been submitted for this Childminder.
You must be a registered parent and logged in to leave a review.
If you don't have an account then Register Free now.
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.
