Mels Darlings
Childminder in Welling
5.0
My Summary
Space Available From September
About Me
Hello, my name is Mel, and I have been a registered childminder since 2016.
I provide a warm, caring and welcoming home-from-home environment for babies and young children aged 3 months to 3 years.
As a mum of two grown-up children and an experienced childminder, I understand how important it is to find someone you can trust with your little one. My aim is for every child in my care to feel safe, happy, loved and completely at home.
Happy days filled with play and adventure
I believe young children learn best when they are playing, exploring and having fun. I don’t put unnecessary academic pressure on little ones. Instead, I give them plenty of opportunities to develop naturally at their own pace, building confidence, independence and curiosity along the way.
We love getting out and about! Most mornings we visit local parks, playgrounds, libraries, soft play centres and playgroups. We also meet up with other childminders and their children, giving little ones plenty of opportunities to make friends and develop their social skills.
At home, our days may include painting, stories, singing, baking, imaginative play, sensory activities and exploring nature. All activities are age-appropriate and support children’s development through the EYFS while still feeling like what childhood should be: fun.
Our own garden playroom
The children have their own purpose-built brick playroom in my garden, creating a dedicated space where they can play, explore and enjoy different activities.
We also have an artificial-grass garden where children can play comfortably outdoors and enjoy plenty of fresh air.
Fresh, home-cooked meals
Cooking is one of my passions, so nutritious food is an important part of my setting. I prepare fresh, home-cooked meals and snacks, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, and encourage children to develop healthy and positive eating habits from an early age.
Keeping parents connected
I work closely with parents and provide regular updates, photos and observations, so you can see what your little one has been enjoying and how they are developing.
Most importantly, I want children to love coming here. I want them to have fun, make friends, grow in confidence and create happy memories in a place where they feel secure and cared for.
If you are looking for a small, nurturing home-from-home setting where your little one will receive plenty of individual care and attention, I would love to hear from you.
You are very welcome to get in touch with any questions or arrange a visit to meet me and see my setting.
My Experience
First hand experience is I’m a mother of two own children. The youngest children I looked after was from 4 months old. All the children have home cooked meals with their 5 a day. As I believe healthy and nutritious food is part of growing. I do daily diary through watsapp and children progress on Babydays. Children has active life by walking in the woods and play park. We also baking often.
My Qualifications
•Childminder Qualification
(Bexley College)
•OFSTED DBS checked (Me, my husband and our two children).
•Bachelor of Accountancy
•First Aid trained
•Food Hygene for Catering Level 2 (City &Guilds)
•Math Qualification (Bexley College)
•Food Allergy Training
•Advance Safeguarding for Managers and Designated person (Bexley Civic office)
•Fully insured with Childcare.co.uk
•Attend courses and trainings with Bexley Early Years Team-Bexley Borough related to childcare to enhance my knowledge and to improve my work
My Availability
My working hours Monday-Friday 8-6.
I offer flexibility to suits your needs.
Available for Babysitting and Nannying for weekend and Special occasions.
My Fees
- Childminding from £8.00 per hour
Funding
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.
This member has chosen not to display their Ofsted inspection ratings on their profile. We recommend you check their current registration status and read their latest inspection report before using them.
My Documents
- Ofsted Certificate (added 06/02/2023)
- Other (added 10/03/2026)
- Inspection Report: Inspection 2024 (added 15/05/2024)
- Reference: parent Reference (added 18/08/2017)
- Reference: Parent Reference (added 18/08/2017)
- Reference (added 06/04/2017)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Parents say
This childminder provides exceptional care in a nurturing home environment. Children enjoy varied activities including outings, creative play, and nutritious home-cooked meals from different cultures. Parents appreciate the regular photo updates, small setting atmosphere, and the remarkable developmental progress their children make whilst in her care.
Summary generated by AI from the text of recent member reviews
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Mels Darlings . 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.
Mel has had our daughter from the age of 1 to 4. The progress our daughter has made has been incredible she is now very ready for school thanks to Mel. The meals are nutritious, varied activities daily (library, playgroups, nature walks, baking etc) I was happy dropping my little girl there as I knew she was being greatly cared for. Thank you Mel for a wonderful 3 years, we will miss you!! Xx
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Rachelle
on 17/07/2026
Response by
Mels Darlings
on 17/07/2026:
Thank you so much for kind words and trusted me to look after Eirinn. She will be forever loved in our home. Lots of love from us.
We needed Mel for emergency childcare and she was so nice to help us so short notice. My little one was happy to spend the days with her and enjoyed all activities and outings. She also loved Mel’s home cooked meals. She devoured everything! It was so reassuring for us to receive photos and updates during the day! I definitely recommend Mel and she’s now our first point of contact for childcare! We also loved her setting full with adequate resources! Can’t recommend her enough.
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Catalina
on 25/10/2023
Response by
Mels Darlings
on 26/10/2023:
Thank you for your kind reviews Catalina.
Mel looked after our daughter for 3.5 years, during this time she learnt a lot, had great experiences, made great friends and became very confident. She enjoyed trips, where she got to explore; gained great social skills from the intimate setting; expanded her palate, eating a variety of food; and developed her creativity using different materials to create art.
Our daughter looked forward to attending Mel's setting and 6 months after leaving still says how much she misses her. Mel always ensured that she captured and shared our daughter engaging in activities and having fun - meaning we have a fantastic catalogue of our daughter's development and growth.
If you are looking for a childcare setting where your child will learn in fun and creative ways, gain necessary skills and enjoy great experiences then I would highly recommend Mel's Darlings.
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by
joanne
on 05/10/2023
Response by
Mels Darlings
on 06/10/2023:
Thank you for kind words Joanna. Love to Noa😘
Mel looked after my boy from 9 months until 3 years old and our experience has been wonderful! They went out to everything and everywhere! He learned soo much as Mel was always having them out and about- he’s even used the Elizabeth line before me 😂 as they went on a ride with Mel just after they opened.
Mel makes a variety of meals from different cultures so they have not missed any experience that is afforded to them.
My boy has gained good friends and had so many learning opportunities that he maybe would not have got in a big setting. I have no complaints and wish we could have stayed longer if we didn’t move so far!
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Nadine J
on 15/09/2023
Response by
Mels Darlings
on 15/09/2023:
Thank you for your amazing feedback Nadine. Lots of love to Ezra and Ethan💙💙
Mel has looked after both of my sons (now 3 & 6) and I couldn't recommend her more! The children are always up to something, whether it's cooking, days out to playgroups or the park, working on number and shape recognition - they're never not busy (I honestly marvel at Mel's energy level).
We can also credit Mel with my 3 year old now absolutely loving broccoli - it's the first thing he will eat off his plate. It's so wonderful how the amazing home cooked meals (every day!) have opened up their palettes and the regular photos we get even make my tummy rumble, absolutely delicious!
A little sad to be writing this review as my youngest moves into full time school nursery in September and it really feels like the end of an era. Thank you Mel for everything x
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by
Lucy
on 30/06/2023
Response by
Mels Darlings
on 30/06/2023:
Thank you for your kind words Lucy 😍😘 Will definitely see the boys around x
Mel looked after my son full time for nearly 3 years until we had to move. She is an excellent childminder and goes out of her way to keep the children busy, entertained and educated. My son enjoyed his trips to the park and spending time with his friends there. I would definitely recommend Mel to anyone as she is absolutely amazing. Her daily updates of what the kids were doing an eating always kept me at ease while at work. We will miss you Mel 💖
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Char
on 12/05/2021
I've seen Mel picking up kids from my son's preschool for 2 years and the kids always seem happy to see her. When I needed someone on ad-hoc basis I contacted Mel and she was very accommodating. I was leaving my 2 and 4 year old for the first time with someone other than family and they had a great time at Mel's! They couldn't wait to go back again. Mel was constantly updating me with their pictures and what they were upto.
I will definitely use Mel again for my childcare needs.
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Zara_Nav
on 03/09/2020
Mel looked after my son for 5 years and my daughter for 3 years. We were very sad to leave Mel when we moved out of the area- It felt like she was part of our family.
Mel is an excellent childminder who really cares about the children she looks after and always has their best interests at heart.
Mel organises a wide range of age appropriate activities - for example ballet classes at the local leisure centre, trips to the park, baking and arts and crafts. Sun or rain there’s always a fun activity to do!
Mels setting is a lovely, purpose built nursery In her garden with great facilities. She offers the children a healthy and varied menu, with fresh food prepared everyday.
My children were very happy there and I highly recommend her service.
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MrsCox
on 18/08/2020
As a first time mum it took me ages to decide the best childcare for my little one. Only now I know that I chose the best.
Mel creates a perfect balance between indoors and outdoors, allowing children to learn from their environment in a casual and fun way.
I see other parents who chose well known nurseries, not trusting what the carers say they've eaten or just reading from a journal what they've done or how much they've slept. I got pictures of everything she was doing in real time, which during the first few days, gives you a complete peace of mind.
She truly loves children and it is that passion what makes our children love their time with her.
We will miss you Mel! xx
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by
Parent
on 17/08/2020
My son has been in Mel's Darlings for 2 years and as a first time mum, I know straightaway that my son will be in a safe, clean and happy place. My son has developed very good manners, writing and reading skills thanks to Mel.
Mel is extremely committed professional, always giving children her full attention, she is very proactive, flexible, reliable and easy to talk childminder.
Mel also sends photos of delicious meals, healthy snacks and various activities during the day ( ballet classes, library visits, soft plays, indoor and outdoor activities).
I was very lucky that Mel could babysit my son on several occasions. I can't thank her enough for all her help.
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Dagmar
on 25/08/2019
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This profile was last updated on 25th August 2026 and 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.