Melissa

My Summary

My Experience

I have lived and worked in Folkestone all my life and a lot of my working life has included working with children, the care of older children with learning disabilities in a care home setting, Caring for younger Children in the capacity of a Nanny in America which I did for a year, whilst out there I ran a regular crèche for some of the mums and I was also a Teaching Assistant in Reception and year 1. I gave up the latter to become a full time Childminder and have been so since Sept 2006.
I have received 2 Outstanding gradings from Ofsted and have an Ofsted approximately every 4 years. However, I have now chosen to join a childcare agency called Suffolk Childcare Agency and have received 2 outstanding grades with them.

I made the decision to move over to an agency from Ofsted (from 2016) as I find their team supportive and nurturing approach much warmer. The agency are overseen by Ofsted and I have just received an Outstanding grading at my inspection in January (2025)

I work alongside my assistant Samantha Cann, Who has a great deal of experience with working with children and prior to working with me Sam has worked in a nursery. She is both DBS checked and holds an up to date first aid certificate.

I have since becoming a childminder worked towards and achieved a level 3 diploma in childcare. I also hold a paediatric certificate; I have attended child protection courses, baby sign/makaton, fire safety, PREVENT, Early years foundation stage training and constantly strive to do new training as it comes along. I am also a fully trained counsellor and psychotherapist.

In my roles I have developed a firm knowledge of child development, teaching and learning styles. I work with in the seven areas of learning and
their aspects and outcomes to ensure your child is developing in all areas.

Our ethos is in line with the gentle parenting approach and the children in our care are always treated with kindness and respect. The children's ideas and opinions are always listened to and explored together, to enable them to feel safe and secure in our setting, along with good communication with the children's parents or carers is key.

I aim to nurture the Children in my care through, play inside and outside, craft activities (obviously age and stage appropriate) reading, music and dance, outings and much more I also work alongside you as parents helping the children to develop Socially, Physically, Intellectually, Communicatively and Emotionally. We encourage the children to be kind to each other and we would love to welcome new little ones to our group.

My setting is a good size and well equipped, with a large outside space. This includes a nature area at the end of the garden, where we grow fruit and vegetables. We also have a mud kitchen and water play area and bug and bee hotels.

We also have twi silkie hens and a large enclosure, the children love to help with the chickens daily up keep, egg collection and enjoy petting our affection birds.

Also, a grassed area with climbing apparatus and slides and a large patio with a playhouse and ride on cars and scuttlebugs. We like to be outdoors all year round and watching how the world changes around us.

My Qualifications

I have a level 3 qualification in Childcare and a full paediatric first aid certificate (which is renewed every three years) We also strive to do ongoing training whenever we have the opportunity. Sam and myself have recently completed a course in Makaton sign.

My Availability

We currently have 1 unexpected place available on Tuesday,Thursday and Friday. We do not work Wednesdays.

My Fees

• Childminding from £7.00 per hour

I charge £7.00 and hour and am equipped to facilitate 9 month, 2 year and 3-4 year 30 funding.