Little Hedgehogs
Childminder in Sutton
5.0
My Summary
Where Childhood Is Spent Outdoors, Curiosity Is Nurtured, And Every Child Is Truly Known And Valued
About Me
I offer a high-quality, home-based childminding setting that combines a nurturing, family-like environment with a nature-led approach to early education. Children feel safe, settled, and free to explore while building confidence and independence.
We spend time outdoors every day, exploring local parks and woodlands in all weathers. Inspired by forest school principles, I’m passionate about giving children real-life experiences—helping them build resilience, curiosity, and a love of the natural world.
Caring for children from 6 months to preschool age, I offer a small-group setting where each child receives individual attention and support. I follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), carefully tracking development and planning for each child’s next steps, just as in any early years setting.
I provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all families and accept all relevant funding options.
This setting is ideal for families looking for a low-screen, nurturing, outdoor-focused start to their child’s early years.
My Experience
I have been working as a childminder since 2022, following a rewarding career as a nurse within the NHS, where I developed strong skills in care, safeguarding, and child wellbeing. As a parent of three children, I bring both professional experience and personal understanding to my role, creating a warm, safe, and nurturing environment for the children in my care. My background in healthcare allows me to confidently support children’s health, development, and emotional needs, while maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety. I have also successfully undergone Ofsted inspections and have been rated “Good,” reflecting my commitment to providing quality childcare and supporting each child’s learning and development.
My Qualifications
Paediatric first aid course
Nursing degree
Full childminder training completed including food hygiene, early years foundation stage and safeguarding children
My Availability
Opening hours 07.30am - 6pm
all year round or term time only
My Fees
- Childminding from £9.00 per hour
£85 flat day rate for non funding days
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
- Childminding Agency Certificate (added 27/10/2022)
- DBS Check (added 22/09/2022)
- Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination (added 22/09/2022)
- First Aid Certificate: Paediatric First Aid (added 05/09/2022)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Parents say
The childminder receives glowing praise for providing a nurturing, nature-focused environment. Parents appreciate the outdoor activities, home-cooked meals, and regular updates. Children thrive, developing confidence, language skills, and social interactions. The setting is described as a welcoming second home, with the childminder lauded for patience and support.
Summary generated by AI from the text of recent member reviews
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Little Hedgehogs. 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.
Both our girls have an incredible time with Claire and on the weekends can’t wait to go back. “When are we going to Claire’s” is on repeat at home.
It’s great that we just turn up and the girls walk straight in, every morning, no fuss because it’s like their second home.
We love seeing all the photo’s of them outside, exploring and playing as kids should.
Claire’s always been accommodating and accessible and we value her feedback on the girls’ developments and appreciate the advice on their progress.
Thanks again Claire
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Paul
on 01/02/2026
Couldn’t recommend Claire more highly! Our little girl had the most brilliant two years with her before heading on to preschool. Her language, social interactions and sense of adventure came on leaps and bounds in Claire’s care. We always knew she was safe and having fun and are so grateful for all Claire did to support her development! Amazing childminder
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Ella
on 16/09/2025
Claire has been looking after Rex for the past 6 months and we honestly couldn’t have asked for a better childminder. She is so warm, caring and incredibly patient, and Rex settled in with her really quickly. Even though his English isn’t fluent yet, Claire always made him feel comfortable and reassured. He often said she comforted him like a mummy would.
Rex really sees Claire’s home as his second home. He talks about her a lot at home and is always excited to go back to see her. She sends us regular updates with lovely photos and messages, which makes us feel so reassured throughout the day.
We’ll definitely miss her when Rex moves on to nursery, but we will always remember how much she has done for him in his early years.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Irene
on 03/09/2025
Response by
Little Hedgehogs
on 03/09/2025:
Thanks so much for this lovely review! We will miss his cheeky laugh and dance moves! Glad to have made him feel so welcome. Lots of love, Claire
That's it! Our time with Claire has come to an end. It really has been the saddest goodbye. Our little boy has really loved his time with Claire. As parents we absolutely loved how Claire incorporated outdoor play and nature-based learning into Zachs daily routine. She always kept us up to date on there adventures.
Zach is epileptic and it was terrifying for us as parents to have to leave him. However Claire worked with us to develop a healthcare plan.
While with Claire, Zach had a seizure, Claire's calmness, quick thinking and clear communication with us was reassuring and impressive.
Thank you Claire for being such a steady, dependable and supportive childminder. We will miss you!!
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
LauraSG
on 24/08/2025
Response by
Little Hedgehogs
on 24/08/2025:
Oh goodness this made me have watery eyes! Thank you so much. We will miss that cheeky little man but forever grateful to have the opportunity to look after him x
So lucky to have our 2 girls with Claire. We really appreciate the openness and transparency shown whenever we’re discussing our girls development, current situations and future plans.
With Claire’s support and environment our first, who has needed additional support, has really improved her confidence and speech. The second is the juggernaut and adapted very quickly to being in full time care and now can’t wait to play with the others. The exposure they get is unrivalled. Best decision we’ve made.
Couldn’t be happier!
Thank youuuuuuu
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Shirin
on 21/10/2024
We feel so incredibly lucky to have Claire minding our two year old son. She is so kind, patient and caring with him. He struggled at the start leaving us and Claire was so understanding and reassuring. She sends lots of updates during the day and now our little boy walks in happily every morning. We love that she takes him exploring and really feel like he has grown in confidence.
Claire is so hardworking, you can see that this is a passion for her and not just a job. We have no hesitation in recommending her.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
LauraSG
on 16/10/2024
Our son loves his 2 days a week with Claire. Claire is very warm and welcoming and treats the children like her own. We feel very confident leaving our 15 month old son in her care. She sends photo updates each day of what the children get up to. One thing we love most is the children are always outside in nature, rain or shine. Claire has also taken the children out on day trips, they are experiencing so much and we much prefer this type of setting over a nursery plus the children always get home cooked meals. We would recommend Little Hedgehogs to any local parents and are very happy with our choice 😄
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Soph2126
on 16/10/2024
Our 4 year old son has been at Claire’s setting for the last year as wraparound care whilst attending nursery at a local school. He has really enjoyed his time there and loves Claire and her whole family. The children all clearly interact well and he’s never short of a story about what fun games they have been playing that day. It is a pleasure to know he is being looked after by someone who obviously takes such care in nurturing and developing his character and, most importantly, he is very happy there.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Joanna
on 18/07/2024
Response by
Little Hedgehogs
on 18/07/2024:
Thank you so much for your lovely words. I hope he has a lovely start to his new class ⭐️
I will be forever grateful to have found Claire. Our son has ASD and through no fault of his own we found ourselves having to move him from a nursery without an alternative provision lined up. A couple of weeks later we were at our settling session and didn't look back. Claire was extremely understanding, patient and relaxed (in a good way) about his needs. She allowed him to be himself, explore and develop in confidence. Nothing made me happier than the days he spent running around forests and parks, eating picnics (and new foods!) clearly loving life. Having watched how unhappy my son had been in his final month at nursery and how distressing the environment has been, Claire's home was a sanctuary and he never looked happier.
I have no hesitation in recommending Claire, she was exactly what my son and I both needed ☺️.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Hannah_T
on 18/07/2024
Response by
Little Hedgehogs
on 18/07/2024:
Hannah, thank you so much for your lovely review. Good luck to your beautiful son in his wonderful new setting 🥰
Claire has looked after our little 1 year old for the last five months, and we honestly couldn’t have hoped to find anyone better!
Claire is warm, caring and full of energy, giving our girl the best and safest days in her nursery. Claire is so creative and full of ideas, teaching our girl to love nature and the outdoors and helping her learn so much. Our little one has grown SO much in confidence over the last few months, both socially and with her language, and we are so grateful to have found such a loving and kind childminder to take care of her. As well as trips to local parks, national trust places etc, she also gets taken out for her faves, babyccinos and sausage rolls, what’s not to love?!
Claire’s setting really does feel like a home away from home, our girl absolutely loves it and comes home so happy. We genuinely couldn’t recommend Claire more.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Ella
on 18/10/2023
You must be a registered parent and logged in to leave a review.
If you don't have an account then Register Free now.
This profile was last updated on 3rd April 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.