Hippohol
Childminder in Lincoln
5.0
My Summary
September Places From Birth To 2 Years Available
About Me
Hi I am Sam!, I'm a mature and experienced Childminder with a real Home from Home atmosphere to make your little ones feel at ease and eager to learn!
I’m married and have raised 5 children of my own and I have 2 grandchildren. Still have teens living at home and are sometimes around and are positive role models for younger children and always popular! We also have cats and tropical fish as pets.
My setting is called Hippo Hollow Childcare Corner, it’s conveniently located on Monks Road, near Lincoln Hospital, Lincoln Prison and not far from Anglian Water and Lincoln College. I'm right near the bus stops on a main bus route ( 3 and 17 buses ) and only a 15 minute walk into the town centre.
I have built up an established reputation based on trust and relationships with the families I have helped. I provide a support for families who may not have extended family to help them and I go above and beyond for my customers.
I offer a warm and welcoming home from home atmosphere, making parents feel instantly calmed when they may have been previously anxious in finding a suitable fit and the right person to look after their precious bundle.
I have dedicated playroom for under 4s and lots of space in the rest of the house for children to explore and play with traditional toys as well as their favourite characters. I follow the EYFS curriculum as well as making sure the children learn by lots of play.
Because I am home based, children are not tied to a timetable and can take things at their own pace and follow their own interests and rest when they want to.
Being a city based childcare setting means every inch of outdoor space has been maximised to provide a safe and versatile area for different play situations. This space is not just a garden, it's a blank canvas for providing an area for exploring and learning from growing flowers and plants to wildlife friendly elements and interchangeable activities with water, cars and trucks and ride on toys that can be brought out or packed away. We also have the flexibility to make use of the many exciting activities outside of the house such as walks in the local Arboretum, Whisby Nature park and Hartsholme Park and also Bransby Horses and looking at forest school trips too. We also attend a local small soft play area for indoor fun.
I accept funding for children from 9 months up to 3 years then support transfer to nursery school for older children. I also accept tax free childcare and workplace childcare vouchers.
My Experience
I have had a long term commitment to childcare, both as a mother for 35 years and also as a childminder for 15 years which has built a wealth of knowledge and adaptability to different ages.
I add a personal touch to care, I can empathise with your concerns and joys and challenges of parenthood, providing more understanding and relatable childcare.
My Qualifications
OFSTED INSPECTED in January 2026 and achieved Strong in 2 areas and expected in all other areas on the new inspection framework.
Corum Pacey membership and fully insured.
Paediatric first aid training every 3 years Updated in March 2025
Level 2 Children’s and young people's mental health.
completed in July 2024
My Availability
I have 2 spaces becoming available from September 2026.
1). 4 full days Monday through to Thursday for 0-2 years 24/30 hours or private fees £65 a day
2) 2 full days Monday and Tuesday 0-2 years 12/15 hours or £65 a day
I am only able to take children up to 3 years
Sorry I am not open Fridays
My Fees
- Childminding from £8.00 per hour
Please message for a copy of my up to date admissions and fees policy
Food and non food extras may incur a charge when taken - message for my latest admissions and fees information.
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Lincoln Monks Abbey Primary School
My Ofsted Inspections
The inspection grades below have been obtained from the Ofsted website based upon the registration number the childcare provider has provided to us. You should verify this information yourself prior to using the childcare provider.
Latest Inspection Report Card
Previous Inspection Reports (Old Format)
My Documents
- Ofsted Certificate (added 29/04/2024)
- First Aid Certificate: 2025 First aid training (added 05/04/2025)
- Marriage Certificate (added 05/05/2023)
- Inspection Report: Inspection Feb 2020 (added 13/07/2020)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for HippoHol. 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.
Sam is incredible, I was very nervous to start with but Sam put me at ease and I’m so glad I decided to change setting to Sam. Teddy settled in very quickly and loved to be with Sam. I always felt very happy when he was there, he had fun, learnt new things, slept and ate well and most of all; he was happy.
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by
Becky
on 07/09/2025
Response by
HippoHol
on 07/09/2025:
Thankyou so much for your review Becky. It was an absolutel please to work for you and your family to look after Teddy. We miss you so much xx
She is very experienced in childcare with so much caring and affection to kids with excellent communication.My daughter enjoys her time and feels home with lots of nice activities and excellent tea
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Rabab
on 07/03/2021
Sam is a wonderful childminder, we have had our oldest there for 7.5 years now and since had 2 more babies who have grown up having Sam as their childminder.
If we could take Sam and the family with us when we move we would.
My children have blossomed with support at Hippo Hollow with all early years support and reports back on children's progress.
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by
LIANNE
on 24/10/2020
Response by
HippoHol
on 25/10/2020:
Awe Thankyou xx Were going to miss you all so much xx
Sam treated my daughter as one of the family. My daughter settled straight away into the environment and was happy. She really grew and developed in the time she was with Sam and I had no worries at all leaving her in Sams capable hands. She was flexible and took on board all the little things that make my little girl happy and she always filled me in be it photos or verbally or in her book what they had gotten up to that day. Fantastic person, lovely setting and welcoming family. Xxxx
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by
Parent
on 15/01/2016
Edith has been with Sam and her family since she was 9 months old. Her house is like a home from home, and we are gutted that this will be our last year with her before we start school. (Unless I can convinced Sam to move house, but we will be at a Primary school outside her area)
I cannot recommend her highly enough. When I met her, I was embarking on starting up a new business, and my partner works long hours so the prospect of organising any form of childcare was a huge headache. Sam has been patient with us, flexible with our needs and ever changing schedule and has been my right arm of support through the whole process. She has become a wonderful friend and her girls, like sisters to Edith.
The only time I can get her to put her shoes and coat on without a fuss, are the days we are off to Sams!
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by
Parent
on 15/10/2015
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This profile was last updated on 9th March 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.
