(My Summary
About Me
Hi my name is Donna ,My fantastic unique wooden cabin is is now complete, and so is the amazing back garden, the 40 square metres cabin gives the children loads of space to play and explore. The cabin is cosy and designed to provide a bright, safe and stimulating environment which encourges children to explore there surroundings with laughter and ease. All the toys are with in easy reach, for little hands. The floor is soft and colourful, the big windows look out into the garden, there is a sensory giant bubble tube, and a much more. The cabin is double glazed, heated and has a kitchen area,and a toilet. The secluded garden has rubber non slip decking outside the cabin with a large soft artifical lawn , so it useable all year round. In the garden we have large colourful toys, slides, cars,scooters and a wooden play house.
I gained an Outstandiing from Ofsted after my inspection in Jan 2011 This is valid for four years until my next inspection.
I have a well reckonised child care qualifications which is my NVQ level 3 in Childcare & Development, I am part of the Children Come First Network which is run by Croydon Council. I follow the EYFS framework for children under five in my care. I work with a well qualified assistants , they all have relevant qualifications, NVQ level 2, and 3 aswell all first aid trained.
There is always three of working together in the cabin so small children do not have to come on school runs and sleeping babies are not woken up to come on school runs either.
I provide fresh home cooked meals for the children. We go out to local play groups, soft play areas, Happy Valley, local parks and Childminder play groups.
I care for children from 4 months upwards. I collect from Keston school and keston nursery at 3pm.
To ensure children settle properly with us they need to attend for a minimum of two days a week both of which need to be at least 7 hours each day.
I have a full clean driving license. We are CRB checked. And insured with the PACEY
We have two wonderful family dogs which we have had since they were both very small, Mocha and Blue which are 2 shar-pei's they do go in the garden when the children are out however they do not go in the cabin. And are only outside if I am there.
So if you would like to come and see were all the fun is give me a call.
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My Experience
I have been childminding for since 2006. I have lots of experience of working with children from 4 months upwards. I have references avaliable upon request. I have experience of caring for children who have English as their second language, also I speak basic french myself.
My Qualifications
Awarded Outstanding in Jan 2011, NVQ level 3 in Childcare & jDevelopment, first aid, food hygine, Safeguarding Children
My Availability
Full and part time spaces avaliable
Term time and school holiday contract avaliable without a retainer fee
Opening hours are 7.30am - 6.00pm
Monday to Thursday. On Friday we close at 5.30.
Children need to attend our setting at least 2 days per week. Unfortunately we cannot offer 1 day per week.
Term time and school holidays
I only collect from Keston school
& nursery at 3pm.
I do not do lunch time collections.
We do have a few vacancies at the moment.
| 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 | yes | no | no |
| Last Updated: 20/01/2019 | |||||||
My Fees
These can be discussed when you come and see the cabin, everything is included in my fees except nappies and my fees are very reasonable. Also I offer a relevant amount of settling in for free prior to the start of the contract to help eleviate seperation stress often felt by parents at this time.
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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 Documents
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Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Cookie Maison. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk users 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.
Donna looked after my son A from the age of 11 months to the age of 2 years, 2 months, for 2 to 3 days a week. There are so many good things I could say about Donna's facility and her care - but the most important one for me as a parent is that I was always 100% sure that A was well cared for and happy. I never had any doubts.
Donna is really switched on, completely professional, very knowledgeable but also very loving towards the children in her care and really cares about them. The size of her facility, with assistants who can stay at the cabin, also means that the younger children don't have to go on school runs and can follow their usual nap schedule, something that was very good for A as he was a very big sleeper!
The cabin and the garden are a lovely place.
A had a few ongoing medical issues during the time he attended Cookie Maison and Donna was completely happy to do her bit, including coming to my house to learn more about it all, and giving me really good updates on how A was doing when he was with her.
A is quite a picky eater and Donna went above and beyond to try and get him to eat new things and to have good well balanced meals.
If you are looking for a childminder, I could not recommend Donna highly enough. We will really miss her and I know we will stay in touch.
Overall
by Nicjb about Cookie Maison on 20/08/2015
My two daughters aged 2 and 3.5 yrs have been going to 'the Cabin' full time 5 days a week since January 2014 and I honestly cannot say enough good things about their time there. Suffice it to say that we in the process of moving 35 miles away and we are still hoping to use Donna - she's that good!
The girls come home happy, usually with some arty creation and full of tales of their antics that day. They have made friends with others, particularly Donna's own lovely girls and the cabin set up far exceeds other child-minder environments. Definitely go and take a look for yourself.
- Overall
by Peachey3 about Cookie Maison on 28/08/2014
There was no doubt in my mind that Cookie Maison was the right choice for our sons as soon as I went to visit Donna and her fantastic cabin and garden.
We looked around some more but chose Donna without hesitation.
The boys settled in really quickly and love it there. The eldest has made some good friends and the youngest adores being spoilt by Donna and her assistants. I really like the fact that it is more social than a regular childminder but so much smaller than a nursery - the best of both worlds.
Donna has been really great at being flexible with hours / days when necessary which is great, and I feel really happy when I leave them there in the morning knowing that they are safe and happy and in a stimulating environment.
- Overall
by Sophie W about Cookie Maison on 19/03/2014
Response by Cookie Maison on 20/03/2014:
Thank you Sophie
We adore the boys
My 3 and 1 year old have been going to Donna's wonderful cabin for over 6 months now and they love it, the facilities there keep them occupied, they love playing in the garden and the cabin itself is set up to have everything a child could possibly want. I really don't have a bad word to say about the whole set up. Donna herself is a friendly lovely lady who is very experienced with children, she and her staff are welcoming. Donna communicates openly with me and keeps me updated on what my children have been up to each day, I love reading her comments in their daily book. My 3 year old prefers Donna's dinners to mine too! It is also perfect for learning social skills as there are other children there for mine to play with, great for teaching them to share the toys etc. I highly recommend Cookie Maison and recommend you go and visit to see for yourself how wonderful it is. Thank you Donna for making going back to work a lot easier knowing my children are happy and safe.
- Overall
by Clair Mi about Cookie Maison on 12/03/2014
Response by Cookie Maison on 20/03/2014:
Thank you Clair
I am pleased you are happy with our service
Donna or Auntie Donna as she is now known in our house, wrote to me after seeing my request for a flexible and reliable childminder and I cannot thank her enough.
Due to my husband and I being Police Officers in the met police, we didn't require our 7 month old son to be in childcare every day every week, or even the same days every week. We therefore requested someone that didn't rely on having our son the same days or hours and would be happy for us to provide them with our required hours, month by month.
Donna informed me that she was happy to do what I required and that my husband and I should go and visit the 'Cabin'. Well its as big as my living room and dining room put together with a kitchenette and toilet. We were amazed at the facilities she had available and the amount of children.
Donna looks after up to 12 children and has 3 members of staff. I was so impressed as it was like sending our son to nursery with all of the benefits of lots of children to play with, different adults to meet and learn from and a learning schedule that will be followed in time for him to go school but with the benefits of being in someone's home, close to our home and with a woman who treats our son as her own.
Donna started having our son from 9 months just after we returned from holiday and has had him nearly every week since. She is able to provide care at short notice if I'm stuck at work or call in at short notice. I cannot praise her enough and we now think of her as a friend. I have since recommended Donna to a colleague and neighbour who now take their daughter to her.
You will never find anyone like Donna or the facilities that she provides. She is amazing.
- Overall
by Holly Ba about Cookie Maison on 23/08/2013
Response by Cookie Maison on 20/03/2014:
Thank you Holly for your review.
We adore Jacob, he so much fun and very cheeky but gets away with as he soooo cute, we love him and he knows it.
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