Vanessa Thornton
Childminder in Christchurch
Usually responds within 5 minutes
Female Member since May 2010 Last Updated May 2025 Last Login 13 May 2025
My Summary
About Me
I have an Ofsted certificate graded GOOD for childminding. I have been DBS checked by Ofsted, Food & Hygiene, Safeguarding, A Paediatric Military first aid certificate, Liability certificate, I.C.O certificate. I now accept 9 month old, 2,3,4yr old Government funding. To date I also have 47 certificates covering all areas of childcare through the childcare website. I will be involving the children in creative work we also dabble with a lot of Montessori wooden toys, and fully concentrate in the 7 areas of learning too, which really help the children fully understand about all the 7 areas of learning. We like drawing, painting, play dough and salt dough cooking, messy play, also making cakes, dressing up, making biscuits, learning about Easter, Christmas St. David's and Georges day etc to help them understand our British values as we celebrate them and other cultural religions, and how they celebrate them. We have French, Mauritian, Slovakian, and Jamacian children where we are learning some of their basic languages. Also taking the children to the park and I will ensure that if it rains that will not spoil our day going out we can splash in the puddles . We are so lucky to have rides in the tractor and combine understanding about the process of harvesting, how plants grow from seed and their life cycle, learning about animals and the farm, from wheat to how it gets to the shops, and turning it into flour to making cakes. I have a collection of rain gear for the children to wear , in autumn collect the leaves and run through them, I have a very large mixture of children's toys from 1yr to 5yrs +.
We have lots of story books which we will have a set time for story time which will be an adventure for the children. helping the children to learn to count, communicate, their colours, shapes and decision making too, which hopefully will involve the children pairing up socks to help them to learn colours and count in numbers or groups, and how to be helpful, We will also go on days out e.g to the farm, zoo's the beach, local parks, childminding groups, Sensory groups, Army camps, bird sanctury, walking and incorporating the wildlife hopefully !. We have a ' choose a picture tea cup ' which we turn into a story. I will also be offering breakfast for the early starters, home cooked meals either for lunch time or tea time.
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** I HAVE 3 DAY TIME VACANCIES AVAILABLE *****
I accomodate ages from 12Mths-4.5yrs AVAILABLE ** Monday - Friday 07.00am-18.00hrs,
Hours are negotiable.
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We have such a fun packed day as we are on the Farm which range from lovely countryside walks and drives, to in the garden where all the children participate in planting their runner beans, tomatoe plants, pumpkins in the garden and indoor pots to observe how they grow, and Sunflowers as we have a race to see whose has the tallest and incorporating measurements so maths is incorporated in their learning and understanding the value of money. e.g the height of the plants. The children plant squashes cucumbers tomatoes strawberry the list in endless they water them etc., we have caterpillars and we watch their life cycle, tadpoles in april, the beach and crabbing sandcastles then autumn time putting on our wellies and plastic rain coats and trousers and go splashing in every puddle we can find, indoors and the garden I have a trampoline and playhouse and outdoor toys,
We also dabble in Montessori areas too, drawing, painting mixing colours creating new colours, experimenting with water from learning about big and small quantities to weighing, finger painting, messy play, sticky corner creating their little master pieces of art etc.,to cooking. I try to encourage children at a young age if possible to pairing up coloured socks and learning to say their colours and counting in a fun way, we also have a nap time in the afternoon after lunch and story time.
Also children to which I have in half term... this is what we do on our adventures !!!
We go to Bournemouth beach ( Mudeford, Southbourne,) beautiful sandy beaches and clear bluey-green sea investigate the rock pooles and collect shells sea weed ( and half the beach ). or go to Snow trax in Ringwood and go down the artificial snow on Ringo's with helmets on catering for all ages they absolutely love it. We are also lucky to visit a friends farm to see calves and lambs being born, also go into Burley in the New Forest for ice creams and see the New Forest ponies. And as we live on the farm the children have special treats when Farmer Mark lets us experience riding in his tractor when ploughing, and the combine when harvesting too.
Then in the summer we go to pick our own strawberries locally, and October time we are off up the garden choosing our own pumpkins ready to carve.
I get all the children from any age to experience growing their own veg and fruit and flowers plants holding and planting the seeds, watering and caring for them, also learning to measure them too incorporating our maths, and understanding the outside world too.
So by the end of the day your little one will be exhausted in a fun packed way. And me toooooo !!
So please feel free to view my profile and reviews, and if you would like to contact me on the childcare website.
My Experience
My children's up bringing , from birth to present day, and I have noticed how much the childminding sector has changed for the better and involved in this proffession now. I have previously been in the military & medical profession and now wanting a career change.
I enjoy looking after all age groups and enjoy helping the children to develop their learning skills to achieve their potentials and experiences ready for when they attend school. Also sharing the pleasures of what the children have achieved that day whether its walking for the first time or speaking, making their first space monster drawing etc. Its always wonderful to include Mum & Dad of what a lovely day they have had and what they have made.
My Qualifications
National Childminding Association qualifications which is DHC unit 1 Diiploma in home-based childcare which incorporates CACHE cerrificate level 3 diploma in homebased childcare.
Military Paediatric First Aid Certificate.and Ofsted certificate with childminder reference number.
40+ childcare certificates in all area's
I will be happy to show all my childminding certificates to parents.
GCSE: Maths, English, History, Geography Biology, Cooking,
RSA 1,2,3: Secretarial
Military certificates / Medical Proffession.
My Availability
Not Bank Holidays or week ends.
Monday-Friday
CHILDREN 18 months - preschoolers.
06.30am - 17.00 hrs or negotiable.
AT THE MOMENT I HAVE THE FOLLOWING VACANCIES to fill 3 spaces AND TIMES AVAILABLE:
These are the days and hours I am looking for not just 1 day.
VACCANCIES FOR 2025 will be 3 Children aged 18 months 4 years-pre-school age Mon - Fri 06.30am-17.00hrs NEGOTIABLE
AND ALSO I COVER all 1/2 terms
My holiday is 2 weeks from 1st January .
************** YOU CAN CLAIM CHILD TAX CREDIT WORKING TAX CREDIT, TO HELP PAY FOR YOUR CHILDMINDING FEES AND GOVERNMENT 2, 3, 4 yr FUNDING .******************
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | 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 | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 08/05/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £5.00 per hour
I would be charging approx. £5 per hour.
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 15/05/2023)
Reviews
4.2 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Vanessa Thornton. 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.
Vanessa is simply amazing, she always helps where she can and my little man loves all the outdoor activities that she provides. Joey has learnt soo much already and has also started to build friends and he is only 14 months old. I also love how she gives us photos and information on how joey is learning and progressing.
Thank you sooo much Vanessa
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by
Rachel
on 18/07/2021
Response by
Vanessa Thornton
on 18/07/2021:
Thank you Rachel it's a pleasure having Joey as he loves learning , observing in all our activities.
We are so glad we found Vanessa when looking for childminder for our daughter (age 2).
Vanessa is caring, friendly and has made sure our daughter was happy and settled every time we dropped her off.
Vanessa offers a homely setting, full of love and fun with great selection of toys, games and is very good at doing crafts and educational activities with children, from making things to cooking/baking, gardening, walks and outings. She has lovely outside space too for children to use.
She texts me during the day, which is a great reassurance and very much appreciated, always provides feedback at the end of the day about what our daughter has eaten and the activities she has taken part in.
Vanessa is very flexible, a pleasure to deal with, nothing is ever too much trouble for Vanessa.
We have total trust in Vanessa when she is looking after our daughter and its obvious from our daughter that she loves going there.
We couldn't wish for better childminder, thank you Vanessa :)
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Overall
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Communication
by
eva
on 23/09/2020
Response by
Vanessa Thornton
on 24/09/2020:
Eva & Harry that is so kind of you thank you always a pleasure having Mila, she has learnt do much do quickly.. Using Whatsapp and Tapestry is sn excellent way communicating with pictures and video's reassuring all the parents and showing them all the fun activities we do during the day indoors and outdoors and now we are using Montessori activities a more indepth fun way of learning. 🙂
I had e-mailed her just in the off chance she could help with nursery pick up. She answered in a no very empathetic way that childminder do not do that!!! Thanks to the website I found childminders that can help and others that were not able to help but they give me a nicer reply, information or signposting.
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Overall
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Communication
by
Caterina
on 26/11/2019
Response by
Vanessa Thornton
on 11/09/2020:
Well im very shocked Caterina ive never ever had a bad review and my Ofsted grade proves it, when parents ask me if I can accomodate their requirements I do my very best trying to juggle school and nursery pick ups and drop off's but, on this occassion I couldn't accommodate your requirements and in full detail I did explain, as I believe if my memory serves me right you wanted me to just only collect your child and care for the child for 1/2 hr or 1hr. I did explain and its very unfortunate, and that some parents are totally unaware of how demanding childminding is to accommodate all parents requirements. So I did explain my self very clear and wish you all the best.
Vanessa looked after my daughter Ieva while I was working. I loved Vanessa from the 1st time we met. she showed me everything and explained everything. she is really kind and taking kids everywhere for them to have experience in this world. She is really understanding I n the way that some things happen and it's not under parents control.
She does a lot of activities with the kids - farm, sea, forest and crafts at home
My high recommendation!! ❤❤❤❤
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Overall
by
orchieva
on 24/07/2018
Response by
Vanessa Thornton
on 24/07/2018:
Thank you so much Orchieva, it has been an absolute pleasure having Ieva we all miss her. We all helped to teach Ieva basic English phrases and the other childminded children learnt Lithuanian. Ieva's Mother & Father are both lovely parents willing to engage in Ieva's learning .
We wish Ieva and her beautiful new baby brother the very best for theirr futures. xx
Vanessa always goes above and beyond to ensure our daughter is happy and at home in her care.
Feeling very nervous leaving my daughter for the first time but Vanessa puts my mind at rest. My daughter loves her time with her and comes back having had a fun filled day.
Vanessa is truly a natural carer and I have no worries in leaving my daughter now.
My husband and I wouldn't be without her now. Thank you Vanessa x
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Overall
by
Parent
on 28/06/2015
Response by
Vanessa Thornton
on 09/09/2015:
Thats so kind of you both to say that, I believe every child should experience the outdoor life, farm, park, walks, swimming, beach, zoos also to mix with other children and manners too.
I love to bring out the charactors of the children in a natural enviroment.
The contents of this review are no longer available as the reviewer's account has been deleted.
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Overall
by
Parent
on 27/10/2010
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