Clare C
Childminder in Laleham
Usually responds within 12 hours
Female Member since Jul 2010 Last Updated Nov 2023 Last Login May 2024
My Summary
About Me
***PLEASE NOTE: we are a TERM TIME only setting, and are open 39 weeks per year***
My name's Clare and I live with my family and our small dog in Laleham, Staines - we're on the main road very close to the Three Horseshoes pub.
I'm registered with OFSTED as a childminder, and at our last inspection in March 2020 we were very proud to be rated once again as OUTSTANDING. Please use the link below to read the full report.
Some of the lovely words from our last OFSTED Inspection report:
“Children thrive in this inspirational and well-resourced environment.”
“Children are exceptionally happy.”
“Children make strong progress... and are highly motivated and challenged to learn.”
I have 4 fabulous children of my own - two are young adults, and I also have a son who’s just started secondary school and a daughter at primary school. (My 26 year old daughter is a Paramedic and can sometimes help out our families with babysitting; as can Sue, my assistant.)
I decided some years ago to begin working with an assistant so that we would be able to offer quality childcare spaces to more children. This is proving to be extremely beneficial for all of us.
We have extensive experience with babies and children of all ages, including those with disabilities and chronic illness.
My assistant has undergone full DBS checks, has two older children and is a qualified teaching assistant. She also has an NVQ level 3 in childcare. We are both fully trained in paediatric first aid and are up to date with Surrey Safeguarding requirements.
We are able to provide all the benefits of home-based childcare but with two pairs of hands, arms and eyes! One of us is always available when the other may be busy changing a nappy, cuddling or having some individual time with a child or preparing a meal or an activity.
I believe in lots of relaxed, free flow playtime, which means that the children can choose what and who they'd like to play with, and whether they'd like to be indoors or outside. There are always structured activities on hand including music, story time, arts and crafts, cooking, nature walks etc.
We also have favourite local music groups, toddler groups, parks, gardens and farms we like to visit on a regular basis. During the pandemic we were of course keen to keep all the children as safe as possible by avoiding outings to busy public places and took the time to further enhance the resources within our provision to keep the children well stimulated and happily occupied. We’re also lucky enough to live close by to several large parks and within easy walking distance of the river and it’s hungry ducks…
We are a member of the Forest Childcare Association, which means that we love outdoor activities and exploring our environment and the creatures that live in it. Wellies tend to be essential!
We provide a fun, safe and very loving environment where each child feels secure and valued, and there is genuine affection on both sides - all of which I believe to be absolutely vital for a young child to be able to thrive and develop.
We have lots of room to play indoors including a playroom bursting with books and toys! We have plenty to do outside, and are very fortunate to have direct access from the garden onto the local cricket club grounds which the children treat very much as their own extended garden!
There is space downstairs for children to sleep quietly when they need to, and the cot upstairs is fitted with a breathing alarm. Sometimes, and depending on the preference of the parents, younger children may sleep in a pushchair outside in the fresh air.
Our meals are home cooked using the highest quality food. The children have lots of input when I'm planning the menu each week with surprisingly varied requests! We offer a main meal each day, usually at tea time, and lunch will be sandwiches with fruit/yoghurt, soup, omelette, quesadillas or something on toast. Snacks are provided as necessary. I’m equally happy to prepare food for your child that you have provided from home if you prefer.
Finding the right person to care for your child is an enormous and very scary decision for a parent to make. We try extremely hard to ensure that we offer the next best thing to being at home with you. The wellbeing and happiness of all 'our' children always comes first.
If you wish, we can arrange for you to speak to current parents as a reference.
Please feel free to get in touch for a chat or to arrange to pop over for a visit. Even if we have no current vacancies I’m always happy to talk to parents about the whole process and possibly make suggestions, if they think it might be useful.
Best of luck with your childcare search, my advice would always be to trust your instincts; and remember a good, honest working relationship with the person caring for your child is extremely important so you’ll need to feel you can get on well!
My Experience
We have a great many years of experience between us, both as parents and working in a variety of childcare settings including primary schools and pre-schools.
We also are lucky enough to have had experience caring for some extra special children who have had additional medical, physical or emotional needs.
My Qualifications
Paediatric First Aid
Safeguarding Children
Diploma in Homeopathic Medicine
My Availability
Usual availability is Mondays - Wednesdays between 7.45am and 5.30pm TERM TIME ONLY (39 weeks per year).
VACANCIES (as of November 2023)
Early Years: We have one temporary vacancy on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from January - July 2024.
After School/Wrap Around: Please enquire, as availability is very dependent on the days/hours you need and the age of your child.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 29/11/2023 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £6.50 per hour
Childcare fees are charged at £6.50 per hour per child which is locally competitive.
We accept Childcare Vouchers, and are also registered to accept both the free 15 or 30 hours 3-4 year old childcare entitlement, the 2 year old FEET funding, and the more recent Tax Free Childcare scheme.
Our fees are inclusive of most outings etc (occasional trips may incur an extra cost - for example, a visit to the theatre) and please note that there is a separate small charge for meals. Alternatively you are of course very welcome to provide your own food for your child which we can prepare and heat up as necessary.
We don't charge any retainer fees during the school holidays.
We may require a deposit prior to the commencement of your placement if the start date is some way ahead. This is fully refundable against your fist month’s invoice. I do not believe in charging any sort of “retainer fee” during this period.
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 08/07/2023)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Clare C. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk users 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.
Clare’s house and family has been just like an extended family for my daughter. She’s made her feel so welcome and happy this year. It hasn’t been an easy year and the fact that I’ve been able to leave her so easily is a testament to Clare and her ladies.
My daughter has great fun with Clare, playing , going on trips, getting messy and playing with her friends. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
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You won't get better in my opinion. Clare is instinctive, nurturing, intelligent, responsive, pro-active, kind, open minded and a woman of high integrity and compassion. There is literally nothing that she doesn't think of and I like to describe her as a swan who is paddling fast (though apparently never frantically - gawd knows how) whilst juggling with just her head a huge number of different items.
The staff who work with her are well established and have a great working relationship with her and the children but Clare is the absolute lynch pin - the children just feed off her mother earth with appropriate boundaries style. She is never just ticking a box, but always thinking of the next idea or the next way to help. She naturally teaches, encourages and where appropriate stretches each child, uses humour appropriately and as a role model to the children she is absolutely perfect.
A cuddle is never far away and her thoughtfulness even when under huge pressure never ceases to amaze me. The relationships she builds up with the children and parents is testament to her devotion. She is supremely organised, balanced, approachable and just brilliant. I know without a shadow of a doubt that the universe was watching over us the day we found her. And tno hat is not over stating it!
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My son has been with Clare for almost 2 years and I am so glad that we found her!
I am saddened that our time with Clare has now come to an end, as my son starts school in September. She is an amazing carer, who has given my son more than just day to day care. She provides a warm, happy and stimulating environment for children to flourish in. Her home is beautiful, well-equipped and safe for young children to play in and feels like a second home to my son.
Clare herself is an exemplary Early Years caregiver, as are her two assistants. Clare is a warm, friendly, kind and sensible childminder and her reputation within her local community is reflective of these qualities. Clare has always been open, honest and retains a strong line of communication between herself and parents, which in my opinion is the success to ensuring your mind is at rest, when you are at work. She is trustworthy, reliable, professional and extremely competent.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Clare and her team for everything they have done over the last two years for my child.
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I really can't praise Clare and her wonderful childminding service enough! I was your typical paranoid and anxious first time mother returning to work, feeling like I was somehow letting my child down by leaving her with a stranger. How wrong I was! I can honestly say that from day one, Clare's kind, open and warm approach put me totally at ease. My daughter has enjoyed each day she has spent in her home, which is clean, full of toys, smiles and fun! I should also highly praise Clare's assistant Donna, who my daughter absolutely loves.
I particularly like the fact that Clare is super organised but also flexible and understanding of our family's needs. She has a great sensitivity and empathy which was obvious from the outset. Her own children who are fantastic company for those being minded, are testament to her skill, and really are a credit to her.
On the practical side, I have always found my child to be well fed, with an interesting and varied menu. I have no worries about Clare's ability to get her down for naps etc. Overall her approach is very similar to what I hope my own is as a parent.
Please do contact Clare if you are looking to build your child fond memories in a happy home. I'm sure like me you'll be able to go to work each day knowing that your child is happy. What more could we ask?
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Clare has been childminding my daughter for over two years now and she never fails to impress me with her skills. Clare is a kind, caring and trust worthy person, always putting others feelings above her own. She is energetic, passionate about everything she does and is a complete pleasure to be around which is why my daughter hates leaving when I go to pick her up!!!! I have never before known my daughter to warm to someone so quickly. Clare's own children are all very welcoming to new faces and happily play with them sharing all the toys in the lovely playroom.
If you are looking for a childminder then look no further - cannot recommend highly enough.
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