Jessica
Childminder in Sleaford
Usually responds within 12 hours
Female Member since May 2024 Last Updated Oct 2025 Last Login 26 Oct 2025
My Summary
About Me
Hello, and welcome to Little Hoppers Childminding!
My name is Jessica, and I run a warm, home-from-home childcare setting where curiosity, creativity, and calmness sit at the heart of everything we do.
I live with my family in a cosy, nature-inspired home that provides a nurturing space for children to play, explore, and learn at their own pace. Our setting is influenced by the Curiosity Approach, meaning we use real-life, authentic items and a rich variety of open-ended resources to encourage children to be imaginative, independent, and inquisitive learners.
Our days are filled with sensory play, stories in our reading nook, baking, outdoor adventures, and child-led exploration. The garden offers plenty of opportunities for discovery, with a mud kitchen, planting area, wendy house, and play tower. Indoors, children enjoy a thoughtfully curated playroom with a vintage touch, featuring a wooden dolls’ house, play kitchen, and plenty of real-life play props.
We spend much of our time in our calm, resource-rich setting, but we also love to explore beyond our gates. We regularly enjoy visits to Belton National Trust, local country parks, and the beautiful woodland walks nearby. The children also take part in Pony Days, where they can get hands-on caring for and interacting with ponies, building confidence, empathy, and responsibility through real-life experiences.
Throughout the year, we join in with wonderful outdoor learning experiences such as The Conker Club and other Forest School sessions, helping children to develop a deep connection with nature and the world around them.
At Little Hoppers, my aim is to create a calm, inspiring environment where every child feels valued, confident, and curious, laying the foundations for a lifelong love of learning.
I’m passionate about providing high-quality, loving care where children feel truly at home. I’d love to welcome you and your little one to come and see what makes our setting so special.
Warm regards,
Jessica – Little Hoppers Childminding
My Experience
Welcome to Little Hoppers Childminding
Hello, I’m Jessica, an Ofsted-registered childminder based in Lincolnshire. I hold a Level 3 qualification in Home-Based Childminding and have completed Safeguarding Training with Lincolnshire County Council. Alongside my professional training, I bring a wealth of experience as a parent, my eldest is now 17, which has given me invaluable insight into the joys and challenges of supporting children as they grow.
I am fully certified in Paediatric First Aid and Food Safety & Hygiene, ensuring your child’s wellbeing, safety, and nutrition are always my top priorities.
My setting is inspired by The Curiosity Approach, and I am currently working towards full accreditation. The ethos at Little Hoppers is to create a calm, nurturing, and loving home-from-home environment where children feel safe, valued, and free to explore.
Rather than filling the space with plastic or battery-operated toys, I use “real-world” items and open-ended resources to spark imagination, promote independence, and encourage a sense of wonder. Children might make mud pies in our mud kitchen using real copper pans, Balti dishes, and metal whisks, or enjoy imaginative play with real clothes, vintage props, and loose parts baskets filled with intriguing treasures.
Every element of the environment invites exploration, from the cosy reading nook under the stairs to our outdoor play areas filled with natural materials. I believe children learn best through hands-on play and meaningful experiences, where curiosity leads the way.
I accept Tax-Free Childcare and funded early education places, making it easier for families to access quality early years care.
If you’re looking for a gentle, inspiring, and authentic childcare experience that celebrates curiosity, nature, and a sense of calm, I’d love to welcome you and your little one to Little Hoppers.
My Qualifications
Paediatric First Aid
CACHE Level 3 Home based Childcare
Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2
Safeguarding Children
My Availability
I am available Monday-Thursday 08:00-17:00
I am available for school holiday cover and have spaces available for the Summer holidays.
I can collect from St Botolphs primary school, and could collect from other local schools if needed. I hold a full and clean UK driving licence. Other hours required please get in touch and I will do my best to accommodate.
| 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: 26/10/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £6.50 per hour
£6.50 per hour minimum 8 hours required per day for Preschool
School Morning Drop Off £5.00
Afterschool club £8.00 per session- collection by 5pm
£10 per hour for unsociable hours outside of my opening times
50% retainer fees during holidays required for term time only - private hours only- not funded
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Primary School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at William Alvey 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 29/05/2024)
- Council Tax Bill (added 29/05/2024)
Reviews
4 out of 5
Parents say
This childminder receives mostly positive reviews, with praise for the nurturing environment, outdoor activities, and learning opportunities provided. Parents appreciate regular updates and the positive impact on children's development. However, one review highlights administrative issues, concerns about communication, and a disagreement over contract termination.
Summary generated by AI from the text of recent member reviews
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Jessica. 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.
Little Hoppers is an incredible nurturing setting, also provides an incredible learning space both inside and outside. Jess is always finding ways and new ideas of developing children's understanding of the world and thier learning.
One thing I really like about Little Hoppers is the children are always so engaged in thier play whilst the environment remains calm and peaceful. I also really like that the children have access to very natural materials and this has really deepened my daughters imagination in her play.
Jess provides such amazing opportunities for the children not only in the setting but out on trips to many places like: National trust, strawberry picking and feeding lambs to mention just a few.
We recieve regular updates during the day, I feel Jess goes above and beyond at this, but I love receiving them, so am really appreciative of Jess for this.
During my time with Little Hoppers we have always received advanced notice of setting closures and have been kept upto date on any policy changes. All policies are in line with both Ofsted and Goverment regulations and are the same as they would be in any other childminders or nursery setting.
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Mary
on 18/07/2025
Our little one has been with Jess for just over a year and moving him from a nursery setting has been the best thing we ever did.
Jess is an amazing practitioner, always thinking of ways to encourage children’s learning and building upon their likes.
Jess provides daily updates with pictures (something we rarely got at his nursery setting!) she keeps us informed of his daily learning and a general run down of the day.
Jess has created some amazing experiences my little one wouldn’t of received in a normal nursery setting such as visits to national trust grounds, strawberry picking, visits to an equestrian centre twice monthly to look after a pony, trips to the park, library etc.
Alongside these amazing outings, Jess provides a great learning space in her home and garden. She’s invested in her garden to encourage learning through play outside as well as creating some lovely spaces inside her home such as the play room and reading snug!
Jess has always been clear on her illness policies and we respect these as we know she is looking out for other children in her setting and ensuring her setting is safe for all.
It must be noted that since starting with Jess, our little one has grown ten fold. She has encouraged his speech and his independence as well as his love for the outdoors and animals around him. We are so pleased we get to stay with Jess for another year before school and I will recommend Jess to anyone who asks for a childminder.
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Katie
on 01/07/2025
The best thing we ever did, was locate Jess❤️. I was provided her details from a friend. My little girl will be four in August. Olivia's progress in 1 year has been amazing. The attention to the children's learning and the beautiful setting, she runs in so happy. I can see an amazing family network and animals which feels like a second family for Olivia. Olivia daily cant wait to return to be with her friends, stories, music and play time. Children are out all day long , regular updates as to their progress and learning. Really useful advise to Olivia's health and illness. Olivia starts school in Sept, she is so ready thanks to Jess hard work, setting and commitment. We have a good relationship, i will be sad when Olivia starts school . I really believe Jess would made a great teacher, Olivia every day ❤️ the progression. Thank you
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Natasha
on 01/07/2025
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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.
