Sarah

About Me

Registered to offer Government Funded Childcare for 9 month to 5 year olds .

My Name is Sarah Marks, and I am a mum of 2 that originally worked as a Legal Secretary in London until I was made redundant in 2010, when I then became a childminder. My partner became my assistant in 2017, and between us, we have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

We are registered to mind 12 children: 6 children under the age of 5 years (of which only 1 can be under the age of 1) and 6 children between the ages of 5 and 8 years. My public liability insurance, along with Ofsted, also allows me to mind children over 8 years. We have also successfully achieved OUTSTANDING from Ofsted at our recent inspection.

Operating from Victoria Road, close to Southend East Railway Station, Southchurch Hall Park, and Southend Esplanade, we fully utilise all that the surrounding area has to offer. We regularly use facilities at Southend Scout HQ where we do Messy Play and we attend Treetots at Hadleigh Country Park. I always endeavour to meet and do activities with other Childminders so that your child will interact with a broad diversity of people and children of all ages. During the summer months, we spend a lot of time outside and during school holidays we utilise not having to fit around School drop-off and collection to venture further afield such as Gruffalo Woods, Mersea Island, Barleylands Farm, Hyde Hall etc.

I can’t think of any better way to spend my days than playing with and making a mess with children and experiencing the joys of watching them grow up and learn through play.

I have completed the following courses;

BA (hons) Childhood Studies (2:1) - June 2022
Foundation Degree in Early Years and Education (Distinction) - July 2021
Certficate of Higher Education Early Years Playwork and Education (Merit) - Sept 2018
Level 3 Diploma for Children and Young People's Workforce: Early Learning and Childcare - June 2013
Early Years Level 4 Designated Safeguarding Refresher - January 2022
Early Years Level 1/2 Safeguarding Refresher - November 2021
QNUK Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid - Oct 2021 (refresher due Oct 2024)
Level 3 Child Psychology Diploma - July 2020
Level 1 Food Hygiene and Safety - May 2017
Makaton Foundation Course for Professionals - June 2014
Forest Childcare Association Member since 2014
CACHE Unit 1 Diploma in Home-Based Childcare (DHC) - May 2010
Level 3 CERTSEY SENDCO Training (currently studying)
Curiosity Approach (currently studying)

Continuous Professional Development (CPD):
Early Years Professional Development Programme - Building on Success - July 2022
Wanderlust Child Nature Study - July 2022
Identifying Children and Risk of Gang Exploitation - February 2022
EYFS Update Workshop - May 2021
Let's talk about FGM - Feb 2021
Safeguarding refresher - Feb 2021
Henry Healthy Families Programme - November 2019
EY Safeguarding Refresher - October 2019
2-hour Makaton training - May 2019
Childminders Working Together - May 2018
GDPR - March 2018
Plus 33 + other CPD training events before Jan 2018

I have completed the necessary checks by Southend on Sea City Authority to offer funded places to eligible 2-year-olds and funding for 3 & 4-year-olds.

I was selected from several childminders and other settings to undertake the pilot scheme for the implementation of the “Eat Better, Start Better” scheme.

I also have first-hand experience of asthma, being asthmatic myself, and eczema (which both my children have) and dealing with and catering for allergies. I am also trained to use Epipens.

I have use of a Nebuliser and am happy with parental permission to administer inhalers or apply eczema creams, and I have the relevant training required.

I also have training for dealing with Diabetes including Blood Glucose Monitoring and administering insulin.

I have experience with Neurodiverse children, including Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. This has led me to further my studies and undertake a Level 3 SENDCo training course to help me plan and offer a supportive and holistic education to children with SEN.

I work the following days: Monday to Friday.

My hours of work are 7.00am to 5.30pm.