Florence
Childminder in Rochford
My Summary
About Me
Ofsted-registered childminder and qualified teacher (QTS), offering curiosity-led, outdoor-loving care from my own home in Rochford. Spaces available — now taking enquiries for September 2026.
Florence Grace Childcare is a calm, welcoming family home with a dedicated playroom and a big garden, with a park directly opposite. My care follows the Early Years Foundation Stage — I set up an inviting, prepared environment and follow the children's interests, giving them time and space to explore, concentrate and do things for themselves.
We spend a lot of time outdoors in most weathers — an approach inspired by the Scandinavian idea of friluftsliv, open-air living. We grow lots of fruit, spending a lot of time in the garden, digging, planting and harvesting. There are chickens to help feed and friendly cats to stroke, and we take regular trips out to the woods, the beach and local places of historical and cultural interest. With a background in science teaching, I love sparking the children's curiosity about the natural world — how things grow, how living things change, and why everyday things work as they do.
Food matters here. I'm Level 2 Food Hygiene qualified and cook fresh, healthy meals from scratch and involve children in their food preparation, incorporating a variety of cuisines — breakfast, a freshly prepared lunch, and at least two healthy snacks through the day.
I offer a small number of places (a maximum of three early years children at any one time), so every child gets genuine attention. My day runs to a settled Tuesday–Friday, 9:00am–3:00pm funded core, with early and late wraparound available, and I provide holiday and INSET/training-day cover — I don't do school runs, so the focus stays on the children who are here for the day. I welcome funded children and settle every child gently before they start
My Experience
I've spent over twenty years as a secondary school science teacher in the local area. Working closely with families and watching a child's confidence grow are the parts I've always loved most, and they're what have drawn me to early years and to opening my home as a childminder.
My experience with younger children is personal as much as professional: I raised my own children, and I now care for my granddaughter, who is nearly three. That has reminded me how much I enjoy this age group and how much I want to work with them. My science background means I'll be introducing the children to real-world scientific phenomena as part of everyday play — planting seeds and harvesting the fruit and vegetables we grow, watching how the chickens live and change through the seasons, noticing weather, and exploring how everyday things work. It's hands-on, curiosity-led learning that suits the early years perfectly. I've retrained specifically for home-based childcare and follow the Early Years Foundation Stage in everything we do.
My Qualifications
I hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a BSc (Hons), together with the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Preparing to Work in Home-Based Childcare. I have a current Paediatric First Aid certificate and Level 2 qualifications in Safeguarding / Child Protection and Food Hygiene, and I've completed Prevent and FGM awareness training. I hold an Enhanced DBS check and am registered with the DBS update service. I'm an Ofsted-registered childminder, listed on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register.
My Availability
Open Tuesday to Friday, 7:30am to 5:30pm, all year round (approximately 47 weeks). Closed Mondays, weekends and bank holidays, with around five weeks of planned closure across the year (dates shared in advance).
The funded core day runs 9:00am–3:00pm, with early drop-off from 7:30am and late collection until 5:30pm available alongside a booking. Minimum booking is two days per week, with priority given to families wanting more days and to siblings.
I'm currently taking enquiries for September 2026. Places are offered on the best fit for the existing group of children rather than first-come-first-served, so do get in touch to check availability.
My Fees
- Childminding from £7.50 per hour
Funded early education places (FEEE) welcome — 15 and 30 hours for children aged 9 months to 4 years, delivered across a funded core day of 9:00am–3:00pm.
Private care: £75.00 for a full day (7:30am–5:30pm), or £7.50 per hour within the 9:00am–3:00pm core. Early (7:30–9:00am) and late (3:00–5:30pm) wraparound available alongside a booking.
Optional meals and consumables package £12/day. Tax-Free Childcare 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 Documents
- DBS Check (issued 01/04/2026)
- Ofsted Certificate (added 19/07/2026)
- Exam Certificate: CACHE level 3 Home-based childcare (issued 01/04/2026)
- First Aid Certificate (added 19/07/2026)
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This profile was last updated on 19th July 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.