Dawn Smith
Childminder in Luton
Usually responds within 24 hours
Female Member since May 2011 Last Updated Apr 2024 Last Login 11 Apr 2024
My Summary
About Me
Hi, my name is Dawn.
I am now full up
am an OFSTED registered Childminder in the Bushmead area of Luton.
I’ve been doing Childminding for 13 years now, please take time to read my customer reviews.
I achieved my second Outstanding grade at my last Ofsted inspection (11th March 2020).
I am an Accredited member of the quality assurance Childminding Network hence am able and qualified to offer 2 year funding (15 hours p/wk x 38 wks) and the 3-4 year Government NEF funding (15 and 30 hours p/wk x 38 wks a year).
I have an NVQ3 in Children's Care, Learning & Development and have attended courses on Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding Children, FGM, PREVENT, Learning and Development on the EYFS, speech and language, Children's Behaviour Management and Covid 19.
I have a lovely home setting containing lots of toys and activities for the children to enjoy and a secure garden with Astro turf, CCTV and lots of play equipment, a climbing frame and sports activities. I have a beautiful purpose-built play room and quiet rooms for nap times. I visit local parks, soft plays and have stay and plays at other Childminder’s homes and my own. I take pride in being a motivated and sociable Childminder.
Please be aware that I do not have any before and after school minded children except for my own two children (18 and 15) hence I offer a calm, home from home environment.
Thank you very much
Dawn
My Experience
I have two older children of my own - Izzy (18) and Charlie (15)
They are great kids who are happy to share their home, their Mum, playroom and garden and help out when they are at home with the minded children during the school holidays. Izzy has been my Childminding Assistant since the summer of 2022. She is registered by Ofsted and holds a valid DBS.
We have a friendly 6 year old cavachon dog called Dexter and a 2 year old cavapoochon Daisy. Both are very sociable dogs and great with children and adults alike. My existing minded children all adore Dexter and Daisy and learn about the importance of developing confidence around dogs and taking care of them, as well as enjoying fun in the lounge and garden with them day to day. All of the parents have also embraced the pair. However, please be aware that the children are never left with the dogs unaided.
I have been a Childminder for 13 years now and I love my job. I am hardworking and honest and take pride in my work. I am constantly looking for ways to improve my existing services, playroom and toys and I believe I offer the highest service possible.
I believe my setting offers a home from home feel as well as being set up like a nursery with a purpose built playroom and garden. My garden has astro turf specifically purchased for the minded children. I have a climbing frame and lots of toys, activities and sport games outside and ensure the children get plenty of fresh air and physical exercise daily.
I do meet up with other childminders where we do a variety of topic based activities and take turns to host play dates. We follow the same topics so will get the children all participating in craft making, nursery rhyme time, story time etc.
The children all learn the importance of manners, kindness, sharing, tidy up time and I follow the schools daily routine with mealtimes and breaks. I start preparing an effective and successful transition to school reception year when they reach 3 years of age.
We attend a weekly playgroup at St Augustine’s church every Wednesday, I visit other local childminders’ homes for stay and plays and they visit my home too. We also visit the Fun Factory soft play and local parks so all of my minded children get lots of new experiences, surroundings to explore, physical exercise and lots of new friends to play with. They also get opportunities to socialise and interact with other children and adults to help develop their confidence and get them ready for the school transition.
My Qualifications
G.C.S.Es, NVQ level 3 in Children's Care, Learning and Development
I attend regular network childminder meetings and training sessions and also do online training to keep myself up to date.
My Availability
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Morning | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Afternoon | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
After School | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Last Updated: 08/04/2024 |
My Fees
- Childminding from £6.00 per hour
£6 per hour
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 17/11/2020)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Dawn Smith. 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.
My son was lucky enough to be with Dawn for 2 years and WOW what a 2 years he had. He was treated as one of her own and she went out of her way to ensure that throughout the day he had access to toys/ experiences that she knew interested him. The biggest compliment to Dawn is that my son never cried at going to Dawn’s, in fact he would ask to go more and still to this day comments on her. Dawn sets up lots of wonderful activities for the children as well as taking them out on park outings. She spoils them everyday with a delicious lunch and her communication with parents is second to none. I never once worried about him in Dawn’s care and they soon became part of our extended family! I would recommend Dawn to anyone who asked and have already provisionally booked in for my next child!
by Kaylee88 about Dawn Smith on 12/12/2022
I cannot express my gratitude for this wonderful woman! she has taken my daughter on as part of a family and my daughter loves seeing her. Dawn is not only nurturing but always makes sure the children are having fun and very well socialised! If my daughter has had any struggles Dawn has communicated excellently with me and we have worked together to resolve them.
Her setting is amazing and there is always wonderful activities for the children to do and learn from. Dawn is extremely generous and treats her minded children like her own.
Communication is excellent and update are sent throughout the day so I feel included in all the wonderful memories my child is making.
I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of her life for so long!
Thank you Dawn for everything that you do and for always going above and beyond.
by colemana about Dawn Smith on 10/07/2022
Dawn has looked after two of my children, the last three years. I am so happy with the level of care that Dawn really puts into her work. My children have truly flourished. My first child came to dawn in 2018, with poor speech, Dawn told us not to worry and before we knew it our daughter was talking and was up to date with where she needed to be. I really like that Dawn always keeps us on board and up to date with what the children are going to be doing and the things they will be learning, there was never a dull moment, whether that being days out or at her setting.
Dawn has prepared both of my children for reception, which was a big worry of mine, she put my mind at ease.
The setting is age appropriate, my children were stimulated with toys, books and learning time.
I would definitely recommend Dawn, especially to worry parents like myself.
My children still talk about Dawn and look back on all the fun photos we have.
by Jess922 about Dawn Smith on 08/02/2022
Dawn has been looking after our daughter since she was 1 and she is now ready and heading into Infant School this year. Dawn treats her minded children like her own, an extension of her own family and us included in that as parents. She develops the children, works with us as parents with hints and tips and spots everything about their emotions, their development, their skills and their needs.
She is extremely organised, well structured and yet also does so many creative things and activities with the children. She keeps us completely informed throughout the day of how she is getting on as well as scrap books and updates on her development that fits with EYFS.
She provides a completely balanced meals and snacks throughout the day and always goes the extra mile to help us and all the children.
Her contribution to our daughters development and progress is quite frankly priceless and she is not a service provider to us, she is an extension of our family too. I would and have recommended her to anyone not only above a nursery setting but any childminder and we are so glad to continue with Dawn over the school holidays so our daughter can continue her relationship with her as she grows.
Thank you Dawn!
by Jenna about Dawn Smith on 05/08/2020
I approached Dawn in early 2016 to potentially look after my Daughter Lara when I returned to work after nearly 3 years. It was a hard decision to make to leave my little one and I felt very anxious about it. I started searching childminders on this website and a few stood out and so I started to make contact and view their settings. It was Dawn who out of all the Childminders I visited made me feel confident and even for the first time excited about going back to work. More importantly Lara took to Dawn and her home straight away and I then knew that Dawn was the person I felt confident leaving my Daughter with.
Dawn has a happy and calm home with a daily routine for the kids. The children are taken out to soft play areas, parks, Zoo and other childminder settings where they often put on a joint party for Christmas/ Halloween etc. Lara made some friends with the other children from other settings and would look forward to seeing them.
The other children in Dawns setting were all lovely and Dawn will ensure that any child added to her setting will compliment the other Children and vice versa.
Dawn is highly engaged with the children, she will always talk and explain what they are about to do and describe what is happening and then reflect. I noticed this almost immediately about her and could then see this benefiting my Daughter after a few months as her communicative skills really improved. Also I believe this is essential when talking to children as it sets their expectations and then helps them identify what is going on in their surroundings. This is probably why Dawns minded children were in happy, calm and played nicely with one another.
Dawn also helped look after my older Son in the summer months and he too enjoyed going to Dawns house.
Dawn has two older children who are really good with the kids. Isabella enjoys baking with the little ones and Charlie likes playing in the Garden with them. Not to forget cute little Dexter (Pet Dog) who is friendly and great with the kids.
Lara stayed in Dawns setting full time for 2.5 years until she stated school this year. Dawn is a highly committed, fun and loving professional child minder. She would try and do her absolute best to help you and she treats you and your family like an extension of hers. We really miss Dawn and I would highly recommend her to anyone!
by Becky about Dawn Smith on 05/11/2018
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