Sara Linwood
Childminder in Crewe
Usually responds within 3 days
Female Member since Dec 2011 Last Updated Sep 2025 Last Login 08 Oct 2025
My Summary
Nurturing Childminding & Childcare Since 2012 | Specialists In Helping Children Settle
About Me
Are you struggling to find childcare where your little one will truly feel settled?
At Smart Start Childminding and Childcare, we understand that choosing the right setting can feel overwhelming, especially if your child has had difficulties settling elsewhere, experiences separation anxiety, or needs that extra bit of reassurance and support.
That’s exactly what we specialise in. Since 2012, we’ve provided a warm, home-from-home environment where every child is valued as an individual. Our highly qualified and experienced practitioners focus on building strong bonds, gently supporting children through transitions, and helping them learn and grow with confidence.
Why parents choose us:
• We have supported many families whose children found it hard to settle in other nurseries or childminding settings.
• We’ve achieved previous Outstanding Ofsted ratings, with a reputation for quality and care.
• Our team are experienced, fully qualified, first aid trained, DBS checked, and committed to safeguarding.
• We provide small group care where children get the time, attention, and encouragement they deserve.
We currently have 3 spaces available to start immediately, and they won’t stay open for long.
Let us take the stress out of finding childcare and give your child the start they deserve.
My Experience
I have been providing high-quality childcare in Crewe since 2012 and have had the privilege of caring for babies, toddlers, and young children for over a decade. During this time, I have supported hundreds of families and built a reputation for creating a nurturing, home-from-home environment where children feel safe, valued, and able to thrive.
My experience includes:
• Operating Ofsted-registered childcare with previous Outstanding ratings.
• Supporting children with additional needs, including those with ADHD, autism, speech and language delay, and social or emotional challenges.
• Helping children who find it difficult to settle in group settings by offering patient, consistent, and personalised care.
• Leading a team of highly qualified practitioners who are passionate about child development and early education.
• Working closely with parents to build strong partnerships, ensuring children receive continuity of care between home and our setting.
With over 12 years of experience, I understand that every child is unique. My goal is to provide the right balance of learning, play, and emotional support to give each child the best possible start in life.
My Qualifications
I believe children deserve the very best start in life, which is why I have invested in my own training and the professional development of my team. Together, we bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to support children of all ages and needs.
My qualifications and training include:
• Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education
• Paediatric First Aid (updated regularly)
• Safeguarding & Child Protection (Level 3)
• Special Educational Needs (SEN) training and hands-on experience with children with additional needs
• Food Hygiene & Safety
• Prevent Duty & British Values training
• Behaviour Management and Positive Handling strategies
In addition, my team are all fully DBS-checked, trained in paediatric first aid, and hold recognised childcare qualifications.
We pride ourselves on keeping up to date with the latest guidance in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), so parents can feel confident their child is in safe, capable hands.
My Availability
Please call for availability.
Funded 15 and 30 hour spaces available Monday - Friday
Part time/full time and flexible spaces also available.
| 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: 23/09/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £6.00 per hour
FUNDING NOW OPEN FOR CHILDREN FROM 9 MONTHS
Part time/full time/flexible childcare. Pay only for your contracted hours.
Minimum contract of 15 hours per week.
15 and 30 hour funded spaces available Monday - Friday
Childcare Vouchers also accepted.
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 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 06/03/2020)
- Inspection Report: Oftsed Report July 2018 (added 04/10/2021)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Parents say
This childcare setting receives consistently high praise from parents. Staff are described as caring, attentive, and experienced. Children are reported to enjoy attending and thrive in the nurturing environment. Parents appreciate the regular updates, personalised care, and educational activities provided. The setting is highly recommended for its quality of care and professionalism.
Summary generated by AI from the text of recent member reviews
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Sara Linwood. 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.
My little boy has been attending since he was 4 months old, he is now 13 months. He loves going nursery but has already decided on his favourite staff :) everyone is amazing with him, i constantly recieve photos of what he is up to and whenever i have a question the staff answer it on the spot, they give me throuough updates at pick up and ive had no issues since he started would highly recommend!
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Ellie
on 24/09/2025
When I first contacted Sara for a slot at her setting I was running out of time before my maternity leave ended, Sara was amazing at working with me to come to a solution and offers flexibility and a beautiful setting without the nasty surprises big name nursery’s often come with. When my daughter started she was a very shy baby and Sara’s nurturing, attentive staff have brought her out of her shell, along with the benefits of a smaller class size and more one to one time than children would be able to see elsewhere. Over the past year I have seen so many things she’s learnt in the setting and have an array of beautiful artwork she brings home. The setting often do learning based on the national day/word/number. The setting also has a brilliant app which lets you see the timings and details of food, sleep and toileting along with pictures of your little one enjoying their day, the care is very personalised and they are very adaptive to any needs or preferences, everything is handled very professionally. On top of everything else, Sara is extremely informative and prepared with action plans and security measures there to keep your little one safe. I couldn’t think of anywhere else i’d rather my daughter go and couldn’t recommend the setting enough.
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Rosie
on 23/09/2025
My 3year old Daughter has been attending this Nursary since she was 11 months old. She gets excited every morning when I tell her she is going, the staff are caring, understanding and ensure she is educated in a way she understands for her age. The activity’s they provide are amazing and my daughter loves to tell me about the things she has done that day. The food they provide is a health variety of different foods that I would feed my daughter at home. I always feel that I am fully informed by the staff of any things that I should be aware off and feel that my Daughter is safe in the environment and hands of the staff every time I drop her off.
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Scilla
on 23/09/2025
We reached out to Sara when our daughter was 10 months old, shortly after leaving our previous childminder. She was incredibly accommodating and welcomed us with just a few days notice.
The setting is warm, nurturing, and the carers are absolutely wonderful. Our daughter is now 2 years old and she absolutely loves it there! She's thriving, and we’re so grateful for the genuine care and attention the team provides.
We couldn’t recommend them more highly!
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LuLennon
on 23/09/2025
We have two very bad experiences with nurseries before my little one joined Sara’s nursery. He settled in well from the very first day. He actually looks forward to going to nursery now. Cant recommend Sara and her team enough
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Sarmad
on 23/09/2025
My daughter has been coming here, she is my only child and of course I was apprehensive having anyone look after her! Sara put my mind at ease as soon as I met her, she has always answered any questions and reassured me 100% along the way, there is no one else’s care id trust my daughter in that Sara and her staff, 10/10
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Rebecca
on 23/09/2025
My daughter has been attending Sara’s nursery for just over a year now, and she absolutely loves it. All of the staff are so friendly, so experienced and welcome my daughter with smiles every morning. I get regular updates via the app, and updates on drop off and pick up. They have really got to know my daughter and I feel very happy knowing she is in their care during the week. Would absolutely recommend Sara’s nursery.
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Bethany
on 23/09/2025
Really happy with childcare here. My 10 month old son has been going for a couple of months and is always smiling and happy to go in. Great communication and all staff are friendly and helpful.
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hsmith93
on 18/03/2021
Really jolly staff, really good communication.
My little boy loves the setting , so much things for them to learn and have fun!.
His speaking and confidence has come on loads since joining.
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Shannon
on 18/03/2021
I honestly cannot recommend Sara and her team enough, they have looked after my daughter for the last 2.5 years, within this time they have not only been childminders but also friends.
My daughter loved her time at the setting so much! We're gutted her time there has now come to an end, as she will be starting school in September.
Sara is very flexible and tries her best to meet your needs, the facilities are second to none and the staff are so lovely!
If you are looking for a home from home, you don't need to look any further!
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Antonia
on 22/07/2020
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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.
