Shirley8
Childminder in Hitchin (also available for babysitting)
5.0
My Summary
About Me
I am a mum of 2 girls in their 20’s and have 2 grand children who go to school in Letchworth. If you need a babysitter, please contact me asap as I do get get booked up quickly !
I have run a successful/professional childminding business since Feb 2000. I pride myself on children learning through play and use the local children's centres, local toddler groups and museums, libraries, parks, and play cafes, etc. I love the natural world and am an outdoors person,so you will often find us out in the woods or in muddy puddles etc.
The children and I also enjoy crafts and cooking, which i like to do with them from an early age.
I charge £9 per hour for places that aren’t funded.£10 for Short-term places and settling in hpurs. I am open 49 weeks a year. I cover school holidays and ask for a weekly float to take children on local trips. I am currently not taking on babies under 1 . I also except funding places 30 hour slots ( not just a few hours a week though and term time only ). I do not except split funding with other settings, I can give you my registration numbers once a contract is signed and deposit is paid , I currently only mind children around the age of 15 months upwards and collect from Mary Exton school very near to my home on a Thursday only which will be ending on July 22nd 2026 .I can not pick up from nursery’s preschools or any other infant junior school. I currently run a waiting list scheme ( generally for siblings ). I look forward to hearing from you with your enquiry, please contact me direct initially by text or call or via email and I will get back to you asap Thank you from Shirley ..x
My Experience
Childminder for over 26 years .I have Looked after over 98 children .
I am Mum of two grown up girls and have 2 grand children . I also do a lot of babysitting for several families.
I have worked as a nanny, play scheme leader, and preschool assistant before becoming a child minder, and have done a lot of training on safeguarding , food hygiene and on children with special needs and I’ve took part in many bereavement and counselling for children courses too .In 2014 to 2017 I worked as part of the team at Hitchin childrens centre three days a week in many roles.I currently mind a 3 children under 3 and a 4 year old on different days .
I have also had experience working part-time as bank staff at secret gardens now Dinky ducks play in town (as cover staff), then creche manager for 18 months, so you may already know me.
I am close to the train station and collage (no more than a ten-minute walk and there's a bus stop outside my house. No 80 bus. )I Look forward to hearing from you and meeting you and your children.
My Qualifications
N.V.Q level 3, first aid ,safe guarding.
H.Q.S which is reviewed yearly
City and guilds child care 0-7 years
7 G.C.S.E.s
Lots of experience including emotional wellbeing,safe guarding,food hygiene first aid etc
My Availability
Opening times at present Monday 8 -6 Tue 8-530 , Wed Thu 8-6 I am not open on fridays,I have two weeks off at Christmas . I can send you a welcome letter and the latest news letter when you have contacted me .
My Fees
- Childminding from £9.00 per hour
- Babysitting from £12.00 per hour
At time of writting this statement my fees are £9 per hour , £1:50 lunch, and a good cooked tea £2:50 tea is at 4;45-5pm ,breakfast at 8:30 / 8:45 for children whom do not attend school, and I provide snack both mid morning and after school these are included in fees at £1 per day from Aug 26 .I am registered to except child care vouchers.
My Local Schools
- I provide pick ups at Mary Exton Junior Mixed and Infant 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 18/08/2021)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for shirley8. 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.
Shirley is, without a doubt, one of the best childminders we have worked with. She has looked after both of our children, after school and full time during the holidays since 2018. She is incredible with children - fun, firm and fair - and I have found her to be professional, honest, open, reliable, organised, loving, and kind to my daughter and son. Everything you would want really - she goes above and beyond planning activities, often themed around special events during the year, does a good mix of outside activities (sports, messy play etc) and indoor play (crafts, imaginative play, board games etc), and provides substantive home-cooked meals. She teaches good manners and good behaviour and really involves the children in creating a nurturing environment. Most importantly you can see she really gets to know your child and finds a way to create a really special bond with them. As one of the parents at school said to me before we joined her 'everyone needs a Shirley in their life'. I cannot recommend Shirley highly enough - she is an outstanding, reliable and passionate childminder.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Chloe S
on 19/08/2021
Shirley has looked after my Daughter for 3 years. She is a friendly, kind and thoughtful childminder, giving a extensive range of activities to keep the children amused and engaged. Can't recommend her enough.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
JWJW7
on 19/08/2021
My children absolutely adored Shirley had all my three children for about a year and now has Our little man(she's had him for nearly two years now). I moved the other two from the school but really wish she could have continued. Shirleys very caring patient and honest but well loved by the children.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
osip
on 04/02/2019
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 8th 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.