Cygnets
Childminder in Silsoe (also available for babysitting)
5.0
My Summary
About Me
Sara's Cygnets I have been rated outstanding in October 2023 and January 2018 by Ofsted I can offer a nuturing family environment in a safe, secure, stimulating setting. I am a former early years teacher with a wealth of expertise to enable your child to flourish. We live in a modern detached family home in Silsoe. I am an outstanding Ofsted registered child minder.
My General hours are 08:00 - 17:00 I have some flexibility.
I look forward to hearing from you.
My Experience
As a mother and child care practitioner I have experience of babies from newborn onwards. As consequence of my life skills and extensive early years education and experience. I have an abundance of expertise in providing a safe secure environment in which your child would be nurtured, stretched and supported to develop within my care. If your child is within the foundation phase, I will ensure your child’s learning journey is matched to the ever changing needs and interests of your child.
I did my PGCE in Primary School Teaching, specialising in the Foundation years that includes ages 3 to in 8 years. I have worked as a foundation stage teacher from 2002 to 2014.
I qualified as Nursery Nurse in 1989 so I have a wealth of early years experience.
During my life I have taught aerial arts and circus skills in London to children and adults.
I am of member of English Heritage and make full use of Wrest Park and enjoy nature walks, picnics there or at home in our garden. We often go on puddle hunts, do craft activities at home, go to local playgroups where in pre Covid times I lead the singing sessions, as well as time at home playing, making biscuits all activities are linked to your child’s next steps within their early years journey etc.
I have a BA in Art and Archaeology in Asia and Africa and took an interest in Thai language. I lived in Thailand, and then went on to teach English as a foreign language to foundation year students in China for a year.
My Qualifications
I qualified as Nursery Nurse in 1989 so I have a wealth of early years experience.
I have a BA in Art and Archaeology in Asia and Africa and I did my PGCE in Primary School Teaching, specialising in the Foundation years 3 to in 8 years and worked as a foundation years teacher from 2002 to 2014.
I have a certificate in British BSL:level 1
I speak some Thai and Mandarin and happy to develop my language skills to help settle your child.
Peadiatric First aid, safe guarding and food handling qualifications.
BSL level one
My Availability
I look forward to hearing from you.
My Fees
- Babysitting from £9.00 per hour
- Childminding from £6.50 per hour
Negotiable
I accept child care vouchers
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Silsoe CofE VC Lower 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 08/06/2021)
- Inspection Report: Ofsted Outstanding report 05.10.2023 (added 01/12/2023)
- Inspection Report: Ofsted report (added 08/06/2021)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Parents say
This childminder provides an exceptional, educational setting that goes beyond standard childcare. Parents praise the structured learning activities, excellent communication through daily updates and regular progress meetings, and the individualised approach tailored to each child's interests and development needs. Children thrive in this nurturing environment, with notable advances in speech and school readiness.
Summary generated by AI from the text of recent member reviews
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Cygnets. 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.
Our son has been with Sara for almost 2.5 years and she has been an excellent care provider throughout this time. We feel very fortunate for the great start she has provided him.
Her communication has been brilliant - updates throughout the day as well as end of day summaries, and reviews 2-3 times a year to discuss progress and next steps. She has even liaised with his preschool to support his transition and to ensure cohesion with potty training.
Over the last few years we have regularly been told how advanced our son's skills are, especially his speech, and Sara has had a big hand in this. Following development schemes which focus on a wide breadth of skills (physical and emotional as well as educational) she creates fun and interactive activities for the children. But she is also considers their interests, setting up dedicated activities for them (for us that has involved dinosaurs and bugs). Our son particularly enjoys the learning walks they go on, and going to the local playgroup which Sara is a keen supporter of.
Our son has thoroughly enjoyed his time with Sara and I know he'll miss attending the setting. It was a bit of no brainer when we needed childcare for our youngest and we feel very fortunate that our youngest is able to follow in his brother's footsteps.
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by
Kplus2
on 04/08/2026
We feel very fortunate to have found Sara to care for our son over the past 15 months. Sara Cygnets offers a really engaging, structured, learning-focused environment, where the children are encouraged and nurtured to thrive. This setting is far beyond the 'standard child minder', and I have loved seeing the journey my son has been on under Sara's guidance.
Sara is very efficient, knowledgeable, and supportive to any phase/development your child is going through, with meticulous planning to ensure nothing is forgotten about.
Sara offers regular parent catch-ups, formal 'parents evening' sessions where you're able to dicuss the progress against the EYFS criteria.
We shall miss Sara, and thank her enormously for the care she has always provided.
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by
Terry
on 05/03/2025
Sara looked after my little girl Meri since she was 6 months old. I was nervous getting childcare in place for my littlest one but Sara was very organised, prepared and caring. Sara and Meri’s relationship is lovely to see and I know she will miss the fun times they had when she starts nursery having recently turned 2. My daughter’s development has been well managed and tracked and I feel very well kept up to date in terms of daily activities interests, likes and dislikes. Sara has done a great job at preparing Meri for nursery and would recommend her childminding services to others looking for an engaging, happy and caring environment.
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by
Swain567
on 15/10/2024
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This profile was last updated on 22nd July 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.