Marie D
Childminder in Consett
Usually responds within 12 hours
Female Member since Sep 2017 Last Updated Jul 2025 Last Login 22 Jul 2025
My Summary
Ofsted Registered Childminders
About Me
We are Marie & Chris, a husband & wife childminding team based in Consett and we would love to welcome you to our home-from-home childcare setting, a place where your child can learn, play, and grow just like they do with your family! Here, we love to explore, have fun, and discover new things every day.
Our newly refurbished playroom boasts increased floor space, perfect for energetic explorations and discoveries. We’ve added a big, bright chalkboard that encourages creativity and early writing skills—an important part of early years development. The children can express their imaginations through drawing and making marks, which lays the foundation for later literacy skills.
Our new tuff spot/sensory tub table, is ideal for a variety of messy play activities. Messy play isn’t just fun; it’s a wonderful way for children to engage their senses, explore different textures, and learn through experience, as highlighted in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. It’s through play that our little ones grow, develop, and build the essential skills needed for their future learning.
We pride ourselves on our home from home learning environment which is filled with all sorts of exciting toys, colourful books, and special resources to help our little learners. We have soft teddies, little cars, play kitchens, and even building blocks to build tall towers! It’s a place where you can feel loved and safe, just like at home.
Outside, we go on grand adventures to beautiful places like National Trust sites, English heritage spots, and enchanting woodlands. We love to go to the park where you can run, jump, and climb. Sometimes, we take trips to the local community in Consett, Beamish, farms and zoos to see interesting things and meet friendly people. We also have an allotment where we grow fruit and vegetables and have a small flock of chickens.
At our setting, we believe in the magic of learning opportunities. Whether we're reading a story, painting a picture, or discovering nature, every moment is a chance to learn something new. We help children to build confidence and a love of learning by encouraging their curiosity. They will make new friends and build loving relationships with everyone around them.
We would love for you to come and join us for wonderful days filled with laughter, love, and lots of learning. You'll feel like you’re in a second home, with a family that cares about you, helping you grow and shine bright!
We accept the government funded childcare from 9 months all the way until 4 years old when children start their reception year at primary school. We also accept private childcare hours for all children from birth until the end of year 6.
My Experience
We have been childminders for eight years, and we always strive to make sure each day is special. We are proud to be rated as "good" by Ofsted and we have both completed paediatric first aid training. Marie even mentors other childminders through the Department of Education, helping them create the best spaces for children to grow.
My Qualifications
We have certificates in Childminding, Safeguarding , First Aid and child development. We both have a degree in Musical Theatre with a vast knowledge of dance/movement and music which we use daily to encourage children to learn and develop physically.
My Availability
Our opening hours are 7:30am - 5:30pm.
We offer school drop off and pick up at The Grove Primary School and Castleside Primary School. Other schools may be available on request. Please contact us for further details . Thank you
| 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 | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 05/07/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £5.20 per hour
I am set up to receive 15/30 hours of funding through Durham County Council.
Private fee is for additional hours above funded entitlement and any school holiday hours.
Meals not included.
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at The Grove Primary School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Castleside Primary 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 15/09/2017)
- DBS Check (added 15/09/2017)
- First Aid Certificate: paediatric first aid (added 20/02/2025)
- First Aid Certificate: Paediatric first aid (added 15/09/2017)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Parents say
The childminders are highly praised for their outstanding care and dedication. They provide a nurturing environment with diverse activities, tailored education, and delicious meals. Their efforts have significantly aided children's development, particularly those with delays. Parents express deep gratitude for the positive impact on their children's lives and learning experiences.
Summary generated by AI from the text of recent member reviews
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Marie D. 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.
I will be forever grateful to Marie and Chris for all that they have done for my son. They have worked closely with my son to help with his delays and achieve milestones patiently and efficiently. He has come one so much being with Marie and Chris and honestly he adores them. He can not wait to go and see them and when they have their well deserved time off he regularly asks me to ring or messge them to tell them of exciting things we have been up to and that in itself says a lot.
My favourite thing about Marie and Chris is no day is the same. They are out with the children rain or shine and taken my son all over the north east from woodland walks to beaches to wondering around the Waskerley.
They tailor their education to suite the different children’s interests and needs working closely with them 1 on 1.
Their home is lovely with a fantastic play room and range of toys. The home cooked meals they cook make me so jealous they always sound and look delicious.
They have played a huge part in who my son is, they care for the children they look after a lot and i feel that really shows in all that they do.
Thank you for everything we all think you are both amazing!
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Charlott
on 21/02/2025
Marie and Chris are both outstanding. They offer an excellent setting, with a great care and thought going into each day's activities. They genuinely care about the little ones and are excellent at what they do! They are passionate about offering the best they can and continuously develop. I feel so lucky we found them for both my kids. I can't recommend Marie's setting enough.
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Andria
on 20/02/2025
Both Marie and Chris have been our childminders for 5+ years and I cannot thank them enough, not just providing childcare but teaching and allowing my boys to learn every second of every day. My boys thrive in their care and we see massive developments in our boys and the other children they look after. Marie has a Good Ofsted rating but she is Outstanding in every aspect.
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Helen
on 21/08/2023
Marie is an incredible childminder who goes above and beyond to provide the best. My son attended her setting before and after nursery. He has food allergies and Marie quickly had up to date training and researched his allergies. She made food from scratch any always kept me up to date with what he had eaten. I always felt my son was in safe hands. Marie provided my son with many hands on experiences, days out and activities in line with his Early Years objectives. My son was very happy in this setting and felt very much part of the family.
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Kimkilty
on 10/08/2020
Marie is an adorable lady, she’s looking after my twins and they absolutely love her, she’s kind, very professional, I can go to work without worrying because I know my kids are safe and really happy.
Thanks Marie for being such a great childminder
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by
Mara
on 14/10/2017
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