Little Ladybirds
Childminder in Hollinswood
5.0
My Summary
About Me
? About Me
Hello, my name is Sharon Cresswell. I’m an energetic and enthusiastic 55?year?old childminder with a genuine love for helping children grow, learn, and flourish. I live in Hollinswood with my Partner and two children—my 26?year?old son and my 14?year?old daughter. My eldest son, now 31, has spread his wings and moved to Sweden to work for the last 8 years.
I have been working with children since 2000, and childminding since July 2012. With over two decades of experience across nurseries, schools, and home?based childcare, I bring a wealth of knowledge, patience, and passion to my setting.
? My Home & Setting
I offer care from my welcoming 4?bedroom home in Hollinswood, where I have a dedicated playroom designed specifically for my childminding business. This room opens directly onto a secure decking area in the garden. The space is fenced off so that our friendly dog, Star, can enjoy the outdoors without disturbing the children—although the children love seeing her through the fence.
My aim is simple: every child should feel happy, safe, and able to create wonderful memories.
? What I Offer
I provide a fun, home?from?home environment where children can explore, play, and develop at their own pace. Activities include:
• Sand and water play
• Music, singing, and story time
• Creative play and role play
• Outdoor learning and daily fresh?air adventures
• Cooking and gardening (we grow our own vegetables!)
• Visits to parks, woodland walks, playgroups, and other childminders
These experiences help children build confidence, independence, social skills, and physical development—all while having fun.
I follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and plan activities around each child’s interests to support their natural development.
? Working With Parents
You know your child better than anyone. I believe in strong communication and trusting relationships with parents so that together we can provide the care and support your child needs. My goal is to ensure you feel confident and reassured every day your child is with me.
? Qualifications & Professional Registration
I am registered with Ofsted and the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (Coram?PACEY).
My Ofsted inspections took place in:
• January 2013 – GOOD
• November 2016 – GOOD
• September 2022 – GOOD
I am also an accredited childminder with Telford & Wrekin Council and offer government?funded childcare places.
My Experience
? My Background in Childcare
My journey began in 2000 as a dinner lady at Hollinswood School. I went on to train and volunteer in Reception and Year 1, later qualifying as a Nursery Nurse in 2005. I worked in a nursery with children aged 3 months to 3 years, gaining hands?on experience in planning activities and supporting early development.
I then progressed to a teaching assistant role, where I gained valuable SEND experience before moving into childminding—where I found my true passion. I love the independence, creativity, and personal connection that home?based childcare allows.
? Final Thoughts
Childminding isn’t just a job for me—it’s something I truly love. Helping children grow into confident, independent little people is a privilege, and I’m proud to offer a warm, nurturing, and stimulating environment for every child in my care.
If you’d like to know more or arrange a visit, I’d be delighted to chat.
My Qualifications
Paediatric First Aid
Dingles Promise Inclusive Approach to the Early Years
Level 3 for Special Educational Needs Coordinator in the Early Years
Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma in Pre School Practice
NVQ Level 2 in Children's Care, Learning and Development
Certificate in Child Protection
Certificate in Early Years Foundation Stage 1 and 2
Certificate in revised Early Years Foundation Stage
Level 3 CYPOP 5, in Setting up a Home Based Childcare
NCFE initial training for classroom assistant certificate
City & Guilds in Learning Support
ASD training
Safer Sleep for Babies
Short module in child protection
Infection control
Food hygiene and Healthy eating
and many more
My Availability
I work from
7.30am - 5.30pm Monday to Thursday
I do not work weekends or bank holidays as this is the time I spend with my family.
However please contact me to discuss your child's childcare needs.
I provide after school care, and all day care, I will pick up from Hollinswood nursery or school.
I do pick up and drop offs at Hollinswood Nursery and Schools.
My Fees
- Childminding from £5.50 per hour
Please contact me to discuss your childcare needs. I will do my best to accommodate your requirements.
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Hollinswood Primary 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 12/04/2023)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Parents say
This childminder provides outstanding care in a home-like setting. They offer creative, stimulating activities and communicate well with parents. Children are nurtured, supported in their development, and prepared for school. The childminder is described as professional, caring, and flexible, with a focus on building children's confidence and happiness.
Summary generated by AI from the text of recent member reviews
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Little Ladybirds. 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.
We feel incredibly fortunate to have found someone as amazing as Sharon, who has become an extension of our family. From day one, she welcomed both our children with open arms, nurturing them with genuine warmth, kindness, and expertise. It's been a blessing to know they were not only safe but really happy in her care.
Home‑from‑home atmosphere. Creative, stimulating activities - always something exciting happening. Every day and after school was fun. Communication is fantastic - lots of updates on how the children are doing. Always love a picture! Sharon is such a lovely, kind and trustworthy, we'd have been lost without her.
Sharon is professional, caring, reliable, and above all, truly cares about the children's happiness, growth, and wellbeing. We highly recommend her to any family seeking not just a childminder, but a loving, safe environment for their children.
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Sarah
on 09/07/2025
Sharon has helped build my daughter's confidence back after an awful 6 months with a nursery. She has taken time to support her become less shy, encourage her to open up again and be the fun happy girl she used to be. She loves going to Sharon's and even on the days she cries for me not to go to work, she leaves the house sad but not in tears or holding the door frame haha. She has made friends there and having a diverse group of different ages has helped her develop much more than a nursery could have supported her to in the last year. Since then, my 1 year old son also started with Sharon and, as previously with my daughter, Sharon is honest about how he is coping, adapting, texts me throughout the day with updates or questions to be sure she provides the best care for him. I really appreciate being told he has cried the first 2 hours of the day but then settled, had another little cry etc than be lied to that he stopped as soon as I left him like I've heard the nursery staff do to concerned parents calling to check in. Sharon puts a lot of effort to helping children with transitions being a new sibling, starting nursery or school. She provides great activities for them too and rotates their toys to keep it engaging. Providing daily updates and pictures, how these activities help their development is very useful as you can't always corelate how is that helping them grow. All in all, I can't fault Sharon for all her flexibility, support, reassurance and honesty in the last 2 years I've used her childminding services.
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Catalina
on 27/06/2025
My daughter has been with Sharon since she was just nine months old and is now three and a half. From the very beginning, Sharon has been nothing short of amazing. My little one absolutely loves going.
Sharon creates such a warm, nurturing environment where the children are not only cared for but truly supported in their learning and development. They do so many enriching activities – from nature walks and exploring the local community to creative play and early years preparation that’s really helped get my daughter ready for school.
One of the things I really appreciate is how Sharon keeps all the parents regularly updated through a secure group chat. She shares daily messages and photos of what the children have been doing, and it’s so lovely to see them engaged, happy, and learning. It gives such peace of mind and really helps us feel connected to their day.
As a first-time parent, I’ve also found Sharon to be an incredible source of support and guidance. She’s always been there with helpful advice, reassurance, and genuine care, which has meant the world to me.
I can’t recommend Sharon highly enough. She’s played such an important role in my daughter’s early years, and we feel so lucky to have found her
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Ellesse
on 26/06/2025
Sharon has collected my daughter from school 3 nights a week since September. Unfortunately due to maternity leave we are having to finish our arrangement.
Sharon provides a friendly and safe environment for the children & My 4 year old loves going to her house.
Before Christmas she came home with a beautiful bag of Christmas crafts they had been busy making throughout December.
We will be sad to leave her.
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Parent
on 30/01/2018
My son has attended Ladybirds for 2 and a half years. He is just about to leave due to starting pre school and both my son and I will be very sad to leave.
My son has had a fantastic time with Sharon and has come on leaps and bounds. Sharon always has fun activities planned for the children and they learn through play and various other activities. My son has always been happy with Sharon as she creates a loving, warm environment and is a genuinely caring person.
Sharon has always been extremely accommodating to my ever changing work pattern and is someone whom I feel I can talk to and confide in.
I have regular updates about my son and what he has been learning/doing. Sharon has played a big part in my sons progress and growing as he started with little ladybirds from 8 months old. She has provided support and help for my son with everything from potty training to getting himself dressed.
Overall I am extremely pleased with the level of care provided by Sharon at little ladybirds. Once again we are very sad to be leaving and would recommend little ladybirds to anyone :))
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by
Parent
on 18/08/2015
Sharon has been my sons childminder for around 2 1/2 years now. Sharon collects my son from school and also looks after him for some of the days during the school holidays. I have always found her to be very accomodating, flexible and will do anything possible to ensure his time there is the very best. She is always great at keeping me on track knowing I have a hectic work schedule. Sharon is really approachable and is always on hand to talk to.
Since my son started, I have had a second child who now also goes to Little Ladybirds. Arranging my maternity leave and therefore childcare for my eldest and my new baby was made very easy especially when I was already feeling a little apprehensive about returning to work after having 10 months off.
Both of my children love being at Sharon's. Sharon collects my eldest from school, while my youngest, now 16 months stays with her during the day. The day is structured and they get involved in so many activities, while learning all of the time, including day trips and playbarns.
I'm always informed of the kind of day my son has had, the food he has eaten, sleeps and activities he's done. I love the pictures and photos that I get when he reaches another milestone.
Sharon has encouraged him to walk and I was so proud the afternoon I collected him and Sharon showed me him walking from one end of the playroom to the other!
I'm so pleased that both of my boys go to Littlebirds. Sharon plays a huge part in their learning and development. I could not ask for anything better. Highly recommended.
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by
Parent
on 08/07/2015
I first met Sharon in 2012, when my boy was 15months old, Sharon was very welcoming, friendly and professional, I felt very comfortable leaving my son in her care.
My son will be 4 very soon and attended little ladybirds until last year, which is when he started nursery. Whilst at Little Ladybirds he learnt so much, Sharon does a range of activities and always had the day planned. He wasn't just playing, he was learning and developing his social skills and it was a lovely environment for him to do that in.
Sharon is very supportive and welcoming, which why I have enlisted her childminding services again, only for one morning a week but my son gets so excited when that morning comes around and he gets to go to Sharon's :)
I would highly recommend Little Ladybirds.
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by
Parent
on 06/07/2015
Sharon has been our childminder for 11 months now. She looks after our 2 boys, who are 4 and 6 years old. From the start we have found Sharon to be professional, reliable, accommodating and approachable. Our boys love being with Sharon, her home environment is secure, comfortable, and well equipped. Our boys are collected from their school and nursery environments and we have never been let down. Messages and letters from school are always passed onto us.
There is a wide range of activities offered to suit all age ranges, which are not only fun, but also educational. One of the boys favourite days was when Sharon arranged for a member of the fire service to come and give a safety talk. The children were able to look at equipment, try on helmets, and learn valuable safety information.
Sharon is very approachable and has worked really hard to accommodate our required hours, with a flexible and open attitude.
Whenever I see Sharon the children in her care are always happy, safe, and well behaved, (I wish my son was as good for me as he is for Sharon!)
Our required hours are increasing in September, meaning our children will be spending much more time at little ladybirds. This is not a decision that we as parents have taken lightly, and if it were not for the fantastic care provided by Sharon then we probably would have changed our plans to avoid this, but we know that the children are happy and safe when with her, and we do not need to worry.
Fantastic, friendly, and honest childminder who always has a smile on her face. A true star!
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by
Parent
on 01/07/2015
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This profile was last updated on 11th February 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.
