D Dickens
Childminder in Stockwood
Female Member since Jan 2014 Last Updated May 2025 Last Login 13 May 2025
My Summary
Graded Outstanding
About Me
I am warm friendly person offering a fun stimulating environment. We often go on outdoor learning adventures and introduce new experiences.
"2023 - Early years Outdoor practice level three"
I work with an assistant 3 days a week, providing a high quality of care to meet all the Children's needs.
I live with my husband and our 2 children 20r old daughter (at uni) & 16yr old son and our little puppy Belle - We live in a good size home with a child friendly garden. I can meet all Children's needs on the lower floor - extended kitchen extra bathroom and toy room.
I enjoy the outdoors and love sharing my knowledge and experiences with others.
We live opposite the local park, close to the nature trail, library, community Toddler groups and Southern Link children center, which offer many activities in a safe controlled environment (forest school, gym tots, stay and play, and childminding groups)
My Experience
Since having my children I have attended many child related course's, became a parent representative with in the children center worked along side the local play rangers - planing and supervising activities . Advised and helped develop grass roots sports Bristol ~holiday clubs - planning activities, meeting all the children's needs at all ages and stages of their development.
At this point i knew this was the area I really enjoy and was naturally gifted when engaging with children.
I love going on adventures with all the little ones
We make the most of all outdoor learning opportunities where possible.
Our favourite place during lock down has been the local nature trail, and love exploring the woods building dens and spotting the seasonal changes. This is a wonderful area to extend the children's learning experiences. Most definitely one of our happy places -
Keynsham Park Ashton Court, Chew valley lakes also Brislington livery yard have provided lovely outdoor developmental experiences.
My Qualifications
Since 2010 achievement
Positive parenting
dealing with tantrums
confident children
Play in action
less shouting more cooperation
introductory into the EYFS
level 2 Maths
Adults learning award (learning community)
pop 5 childminding
Paediatric first aid 15th Oct 18
Safeguarding /child protection 18th may 19
food hygiene
Completed level 3- (young children and young people in the work place.
Completed level 2 understanding health improvement
prevent training course.
E.safety
Completed Bristol standard.
Attachment,Emotional Literacy and well being - 3.5.2017
Behavior & 2 year olds 27.11.17
Behavior and self/ regulation - 10.4.18
Learning language and loving it - 17.7.18
Pediatric first aid level 3 Nov 2018
FMG Oct 2018
Nov 2018
Maths in the early years - Feb 2019
GPDR - MARCH 2019
Safeguarding refresher course - June 2019
DIABETIC- training - Aug 2019
Safer food Better business - Home visit - Oct 2019
Teaching Boys and Girls - Oct 2019
Safeguarding/Child protection -12 Oct 2019
working with an assistant - Oct 2019
Bristol Standard 3rd year - Jan 2020
Planning in the moment - 10 march 2020
Woodwork in the early years - 14 march 2020
Covid 19 - April 2020
Bristol Standard
Coronavirus Risk assessment 19th May 20
Managing time after Covid 30th June 20
Staff policy procedures 28th July 20
EYFS - Stage Reforms - May 2021
Upgrading Safeguarding policy 21st Sept 21
The 3 I's and cultural capital 5th Oct 21
What happens before reading? 12th July 22
Long term planning for 2023 - 22nd Nov 22
A
ction planning for 2023 - 3rd Jan 23
Makaton - 21 June 23
Growth Mindset - 27th June 23
Level 3 In outdoor Practice
April 22- 1st Sept 23
Bristol Standard Quality improvement 11/07/23 - 11/07/24
Schematic play - 12 Jan 24
Story dough - 14/03/24
And so many more the past year.
My Availability
Term time -
Monday ~ Thursday 8am~5pm
School Holidays - Tuesday Wednesday & Thursday 8am~5pm
Happy to accommodate term time only childcare .
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| After School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 13/05/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £8.00 per hour
£8 per hour.
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Waycroft Academy
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 11/04/2020)
- Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination (added 21/09/2021)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for D Dickens. 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 so lucky that we found Dionne back in 2018. Our son spent 2-3 days a week there for 3 years and he absolutely loved it. I was really nervous about finding someone but was instantly at ease with Dionne and her family.
The daily updates were great so we could see how much fun he was having, and now we have all of those memories for him to see as he grows up. They were always on an adventure to the park, the farm, to the horses, chew valley lake. His development progressed a lot in all areas and he loved learning through all of the fun activities. During lockdown, Dionne was fantastic at keeping in touch and sending me information on activities that she knew he would enjoy.
Dionne helped us with getting Albie ready for pre school and gave great advice during the transition.
We really feel like Albie became part of the family and we can’t wait to be able to use Dionne and her family again in the future!
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AimeeAsh
on 09/10/2021
Dionne is an incredible childminder and we are so lucky to have found her.
My boy loves going to her twice a week. He’s always doing interesting things that educate and encourage development.
We get daily updates on what they are up to whether it’s trips to the farm, visits to the park, strawberry picking or playing at home with the toys and interactive games.
We can’t wait to send our little girl to Dionne’s too!
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Melody
on 30/09/2021
Dionne is an amazing childminder who provides an outstanding learning environment for all the children.
My daughter has been going to Dionne’s for the past 3 years and she loves it! Dionne takes the children to Forest school, Grimsbury Farm, the children’s centre, the park and Chew Valley Lake.
Every time I collect my daughter, she has a great big smile on her face and she can’t wait to tell me about the great adventures she has been on.
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Sarah32
on 14/09/2021
My son has been with Little Stars for 6 years and has absolutely loved his time there!
I had complete and utter trust that my son was being well looked after, was safe, was listened to, was learning new things and having a good time.
Also my son was diagnosed with a medical condition and needed special dietary requirements and Dionne was very knowledgeable and made sure he only ate what he could and also provided options which went above and beyond what I expected.
Would totally recommend.
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Caroline
on 15/09/2020
Dionne has been looking after my little girl for the past year. She is so kind, caring and approachable. My little girl absolutely adores her and asks to go to Dionnes on a daily basis. She has come on massively in all areas with Dionnes guidance. There is always lots to do at Dionnes and all the other children are lovely. I would thoroughly recommend her to anyone looking for childcare in the stockwood area.
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Emily
on 05/05/2019
Response by
D Dickens
on 29/04/2020:
It really is lovely seeing friendships being made xxxxx
I can honestly say that we feel extremely lucky to have found a childminder like Dionne, she has been looking after our young man since he was just over a year old and he has thrived in the warm, caring environment offered by the whole family. I feel totally confident leaving my son knowing that he is in the best hands.
Dionne and Jeff are both kind, caring and patient.
The children are offered a wide variety of activities, indoors and outdoors and trips out every day.
My son consistently retells his day with a big smile!
Dionne is fantastic at communication with parents and has always offered brilliant advice.
We highly recommend Dionne :-D
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by
Parent
on 24/09/2018
Response by
D Dickens
on 29/04/2020:
Thank you Emma xx
Our 2 1/2 year old daughter has spent a year with Dionne and has absolutely loved it. Dionne and Jeff offer a fun, varied and warm environment, where our daughter fitted in immediately.
The activities the children do are really centred around their interests that day/week, as well as taking the kids out to many different places. Outdoor time is always high on the agenda, which as parents we love our daughter getting out every day.
Dionnes communication with parents is great, keeping us up to date with any observations and reviews she has carried out.
She takes genuine pleasure in telling us about her achievements, however small, or big.
I cannot praise Dionne and Jeff enough, We've been 100% confident when leaving our daughter in their care.
Our daughter has thrived in the last year thanks in part to them. We are really sad to be moving on, but the next step of preschool awaits!
For anyone needing childcare in the Stockwood/ Whitchurch/Brislington area, we would highly recommend Dionne, you would not regret it.
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by
Parent
on 05/08/2018
Response by
D Dickens
on 06/08/2018:
Thank you for your kind words - Its been a pleasure caring for your little lady and not forgetting dog dog we have been on so many fun adventures together.
Dionne has looked after my son since he was 10 months old, I am extremely happy with the care he receives and the great progress he has made. He adores Dionne and her husband and kids. I love walking in to collect him and catching him smiling, laughing and playing. Hes always happy to be there.
The communication is excellent I receive pictures throughout the day of activities they have been doing. This makes me feel involved in his care and I can talk to him about his day when he gets home.
I would definitely recommend Dionne as a great, reliable child minder
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by
Parent
on 24/01/2018
Response by
D Dickens
on 24/01/2018:
Thank you for your kind words, its a pleasure to care for your little man .
Dionne is excellent with children, my daughter loves being with her and the other children trying new things. Dionne has a great range of toys and provides superb activities. Would highly recommend her to anyone looking for childcare in Stockwood!!
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Lisa
on 16/10/2017
Response by
D Dickens
on 02/01/2018:
Its lovely to see how well the children settle in and new friendships being made.
Dionne has been looking after my daughter for 2 years now and she absolutely loves Dionne. She gets so excited about going to her house. Dionne provides a safe, caring and family experience.
Dionne really cares about all the children and takes the children on wonderful adventures, providing a valuable learning experience. She takes the children to Forest school at the children's centre, play groups, soft play and community farms.
Dionne provides healthy food and is excellent at communicating with parents. I love seeing all the photos of what my daughter has been up to that day. Without Dionne I don't know what we would have done as she has really supported my daughter with all areas of her learning and cares for the children as if they were here own children.
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Sarah32
on 15/09/2016
Response by
D Dickens
on 25/09/2016:
Thank you , it was lovely to see how your daughter grow in confidence and development,we did go on many adventures together...
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