Karen
Childminder in St Albans
5.0
My Summary
Childminder ( Outstanding )
About Me
Update : a vacancy space on a Tues, Wed and Thurs has just become available from May 2026 ( ideally suited for a baby 9mths +)
I am an Ofsted Registered Outstanding childminder with 18 years experience. I am married with one daughter , and live in the heart of Chiswell Green .
I am ideally located if you work / drive to London or any of the local surrounding areas . I have a open plan house with a dedicated playroom, which is fully stocked with books, games, crafts and toys for all ages. - I also have a large and secure garden with lots of play equipment and toys. We also have a small family dog .
I offer a nourishing home from home service and promoting all the values of the EYFS. I want to ensure all children in my care are happy, healthy and promoting their development throughout their time spent with me , but most of all I what the children all to have fun. I treat each child on an individual basis ensuring each individuals needs are met and work with parents to form solid working relationships.
A typical day incorporates a morning walk through the local park and woods , looking at Mother Nature and the changing seasons , followed by a morning activity which can include a visit local playgroups , Willows farm , playgrounds and play dates with other childminders .. I like to ensure the children have varied and fun activities every day. My daily rate includes all food, snacks, meals and entry to all activities.
My Experience
I have been a childminder for 20 years , my recent Ofsted inspection in August 2024 was graded Outstanding .
I have First Aid Training , Safeguarding Training, and keep fully abreast with all Ofsted EYFS updates. I have a NVQ Level 3 in childcare also. I have a degree in Catering and make the majority of meals from scratch, offering a variety of hearty and healthy snacks and meals. I am a mum and know and recognise the challenges parents face in choosing childcare and the complexity of a work life balance , I try to make this transition as smooth as possible .
My Qualifications
Educated to degree level with a Catering and Hospitality degree. As a childminder I have a NVQ Level 3 in childcare. I have undergone full training and have all relevant qualifications as listed above.
My Availability
I currently have one vacancy for a child age 0-3 yrs old. Whilst I have been recently caring for children on a Term Time Only basis, this can be tailored to individual needs - I am happy to cover school holidays when required and when available. Please contact me to chat. I do not charge for school holidays if a Term Time only contract is required ( any additional days at standard rate )
My Fees
- Childminding from £9.50 per hour
To be discussed on an individual basis
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
- DBS Check (added 29/05/2024)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Karen. 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.
Karen is an exceptional human being who is nurturing, caring, and has an abundance of knowledge within the childcare profession. She helped us immensely in finding the right care for our son and has provided a safe, caring, and stimulating learning environment for him to thrive in for the past 7 months.
Karen caters for children with different needs and ensures they are well socialised and engaged in a variety of activities, both indoors and outdoors. She prepares and serves fresh, home-made snacks and meals which vary daily, providing a healthy and balanced diet for the children in her care.
One thing we particularly value is how Karen keeps us updated every day with our son’s development, including pictures and videos of what he has been doing throughout the day. Her communication skills are excellent, both verbal and non-verbal, and she always ensures we are fully informed about our son’s needs and progress.
We couldn’t recommend Karen highly enough. Her dedication, warmth, and professionalism truly set her apart, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have found someone we trust completely with our son’s care.
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by
Kim
on 11/05/2026
My little one (16 months old) has been with Karen for the last four months and from the moment we met her, we knew she and her setting were the right fit for us, and most importantly, for our little one. She provides such a warm, welcoming home-from-home environment, and my son feels really safe and comfortable in her care.
We were really nervous about starting childcare, as he would get upset whenever we left the room, let alone with someone new. Karen has been so patient, caring, and reassuring throughout the whole process. She always keeps us updated with his activities, how he has been during the day, what he has eaten, and how he has slept, and she regularly sends lovely photos and videos too. Seeing how happy and settled he is with her now shows we absolutely made the right choice.
My son also has three allergies, and Karen has catered for him brilliantly with a range of healthy and nutritious meals, which was really important to us. Her catering background and over 20 years of experience as a childminder really show in the care she provides.
Karen regularly takes the little ones to playgroups, parks, and places like Willows Farm, so they get lots of fresh air, stimulation, and fun activities.
We truly could not recommend Karen highly enough. Thank you so much for everything, Karen! ☺️
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Sharon
on 07/05/2026
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This profile was last updated on 6th May 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.