Lamont M
Childminder in Southampton (also available for babysitting)
Male Member since Nov 2022 Last Updated Mar 2024 Last Login 23 Apr 2024
My Summary
About Me
Lamont Minders
I am a 43 years old family man, living in Waltham Chase with my wife Monika, and three children aged 15, 10 and 6. Monika used to work for the local Primary School as a learning support staff and studying for a degree in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Our aim is to create a childminding setting with the Montessori approach embedded into it.
You would usually hear a waltz and classical music of some sort as you walk into our house. I think we count as a musical family. I favour Latin, jazz and classical music and we go to theatre once or twice a year. I have a beginner's knowledge of the piano. My father played the piano and for some time he played the church organ in his home village. My eldest daughter is preparing for her GCSEs and planning to continue with arts at college. She is learning to play the piano, my son the violin and he also plays in the local orchestra. My youngest daughter sings and plays everything if she is allowed...
We are a home educating family.
We are quite chilled out, mostly child led and often go with the flow, trying to avoid the institution-like feel in our setting as much as possible. We have a flexible approach and structure.
We do our best to teach children to be adaptable and consider others around them. We would like children to thrive, by promoting resilience, independence and confidence while practicing kindness, tolerance and empathy towards each other. We put the focus on children's well-being instead of pushing school-like teaching at an early age, because a happy, content child is more able to develop successfully in all learning areas.
We saved a 1950's upright piano from a closing pub and also have a spare violin, a guitar, two recorders and somehow got hold of a flute as well, to serve the needs of minded children. Gardening and DIY are a passion of ours, we adore all kinds of roses and we have an allotment where the children can dig for worms, run around, sow some seeds, harvest the fruit and veg and have a picnic.
There is a baby conure in the house, answering to the name Sonic (yepp, my son named him) who is under taming at the moment (the bird, not my son). Monika and my eldest daughter like to cook and bake, and I often come home finding them in the kitchen.
We like to spend time outside whenever possible, we often visit parks around the local areas, feed the ducks, visit the beach, and local(ish) walking trails. We seek to use our RHS, National Heritage, National Trust and Beaulieu memberships to satisfy all-day care activity needs too. You may find this unusual, but we don't own any game consoles. Lego, ludo, various other board games, cooking, baking and painting, drawing and children's literature are available instead.
We are looking forward to meet you and your child/children.
My Experience
I used to help children practice reading in a local Primary School, took part in a children's computer club and ran a gardening club in the local Primary School until last year.
Over the past five years, Monika has supported children with additional needs one-to-one, led group interventions, mindfulness sessions, ran a gardening club, as well as supported the class teacher as a learning support assistant, sometimes taking over lessons under the guidance of the class teacher.
My Qualifications
BA(Hon) Open Degree - Creative Writing, History, Religious Controversies
Childminding: Paediatric First Aid, Foundations for Developing Learning, Safeguarding Children, Common Core Training, Organising Childcare Register Provision, Starting out on the Childcare Register,
Advanced DBS check
Monika:
Paediatric FIrst Aid
Advanced DBS check
NCFE Cache Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning
Currently working towards SEND Honours Degree
Also completed the following CPD courses:
ADHD and Dyslexia awareness
Food hygiene and safety
Dealing with Bereavement and Loss
Looked After children
Moving and Handling
Mental well-being and Mindfulness in the classroom
Understanding anaphylaxis, Asthma, Epilepsy, and Diabetes
Use of reasonable force
Child Protection and Prevent duty
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Safeguarding children with SEND
Harmful Sexual behaviours
How to be an effective educator
Online Safety
Raising awareness of LGBT
Risk Assessment for school trips
Raising awareness of honour-based abuse and forced marriage
My Availability
We are currently full. We have a waiting list, if you would like your child to be placed on the list please let us know.
Monday to Friday 7am - 7pm. This is negotiable of course.
We also take bookings for school holidays only and ad/hoc childcare.
Home educated children are very welcome as well.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Evening | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 22/03/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £5.50 per hour
- Babysitting from £11.00 per hour
Hourly rate is from £5.50 between the hours of 8am and 5pm and from £7.50 before 8am and after 5pm.
We are also available for babysitting after 7pm on weekdays and during weekends.
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
- Ofsted Certificate (added 13/06/2023)
- DBS Check (added 22/11/2022)
- UK Driving Licence (added 22/11/2022)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Lamont M. 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 child has been looked after by Monika and Denes since July ‘23 and I have never had a single concern about their care. My child comes home happy every time and he is always clean (as can be for a toddler). The house is warm and welcoming and they are always taking him to new places and giving advice when we experience troubles with sleeping or eating at home. His speech and manners have come so far and he has really blossomed since he started. Could not recommend more! I was so worried about leaving him for the first time as he is not even 2 yet but within the first week I knew it was the best decision to return to work because he seemed happier by the end of it than he was with me 24/7. If I implement new routines then they will always follow too. They keep me updated as much as possible and I’m frequently receiving pictures and videos of what they have been up to in the day. If I could give 6 stars I would!
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My son was a bit nervous after a bad nursery experience but Monika and Denes have been amazing at making him feel comfortable and secure. I love all the photos and videos of all the fun activities they get up to and I can see such a difference in my son since he's been there. You can clearly see the care they have for all the children they look after and I honestly can't fault them at all! I 100% recommend them :)
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My son loves going to “Onika’s” as he calls her, is forever asking to go back when he’s been collected, and first thing in the mornings! I think that says it all!
They’re a lovely family, warm, welcoming & very flexible for one pain in the butt self-employed Mumma!
Fantastic childminders.
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From the get go Monika and Denes couldn’t have been more warm and welcoming. Our Daughter is so well looked after by both of them and has developed a lovely relationship with them. Since starting they have always set up brilliant, thoughtful activities that not only entertain her but help her progress and learn. They have a wonderful vibrant family setting which our daughter has been allowed to explore and has a real home from home feel. I was quite nervous when I first returned to work about leaving her, but they send lovely thoughtful messages/ pictures throughout the day if you want them to and also tapestry is updated every week without fail. They are very reliable and have never let us down. We really couldn’t recommend more.
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It’s great to have my child looked after in a friendly and positive family setting before and after school. Denis and Monika are great at doing homework, providing dinner and entertaining my child - such a weight off my mind.
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This profile 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.
