Cygnets
Childminder in Silsoe (also available for babysitting)
Usually responds within 12 hours
Female Member since Nov 2015 Last Updated Sep 2025 Last Login 08 Oct 2025
My Summary
About Me
Sara's Cygnets I have been rated outstanding in October 2023 and January 2018 by Ofsted I can offer a nuturing family environment in a safe, secure, stimulating setting. I am a former early years teacher with a wealth of expertise to enable your child to flourish. We live in a modern detached family home in Silsoe. I am an outstanding Ofsted registered child minder.
My General hours are 08:00 - 17:00 I have some flexibility.
I look forward to hearing from you.
My Experience
As a mother and child care practitioner I have experience of babies from newborn onwards. As consequence of my life skills and extensive early years education and experience. I have an abundance of expertise in providing a safe secure environment in which your child would be nurtured, stretched and supported to develop within my care. If your child is within the foundation phase, I will ensure your child’s learning journey is matched to the ever changing needs and interests of your child.
I did my PGCE in Primary School Teaching, specialising in the Foundation years that includes ages 3 to in 8 years. I have worked as a foundation stage teacher from 2002 to 2014.
I qualified as Nursery Nurse in 1989 so I have a wealth of early years experience.
During my life I have taught aerial arts and circus skills in London to children and adults.
I am of member of English Heritage and make full use of Wrest Park and enjoy nature walks, picnics there or at home in our garden. We often go on puddle hunts, do craft activities at home, go to local playgroups where in pre Covid times I lead the singing sessions, as well as time at home playing, making biscuits all activities are linked to your child’s next steps within their early years journey etc.
I have a BA in Art and Archaeology in Asia and Africa and took an interest in Thai language. I lived in Thailand, and then went on to teach English as a foreign language to foundation year students in China for a year.
My Qualifications
I qualified as Nursery Nurse in 1989 so I have a wealth of early years experience.
I have a BA in Art and Archaeology in Asia and Africa and I did my PGCE in Primary School Teaching, specialising in the Foundation years 3 to in 8 years and worked as a foundation years teacher from 2002 to 2014.
I have a certificate in British BSL:level 1
I speak some Thai and Mandarin and happy to develop my language skills to help settle your child.
Peadiatric First aid, safe guarding and food handling qualifications.
BSL level one
My Availability
I look forward to hearing from you.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Evening | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 19/09/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Babysitting from £9.00 per hour
- Childminding from £6.50 per hour
Negotiable
I accept child care vouchers
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Silsoe CofE VC Lower School
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 08/06/2021)
- Inspection Report: Ofsted Outstanding report 05.10.2023 (added 01/12/2023)
- Inspection Report: Ofsted report (added 08/06/2021)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Parents say
This childminder provides exceptional care and education in a nurturing environment. Parents consistently praise the structured, learning-focused approach, which includes personalized activities, regular progress updates, and developmental tracking. Children benefit from engaging experiences, one-on-one attention, and tailored support for their individual needs. The childminder's expertise, efficiency, and communication skills are highly valued by families.
Summary generated by AI from the text of recent member reviews
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Cygnets. 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 very fortunate to have found Sara to care for our son over the past 15 months. Sara Cygnets offers a really engaging, structured, learning-focused environment, where the children are encouraged and nurtured to thrive. This setting is far beyond the 'standard child minder', and I have loved seeing the journey my son has been on under Sara's guidance.
Sara is very efficient, knowledgeable, and supportive to any phase/development your child is going through, with meticulous planning to ensure nothing is forgotten about.
Sara offers regular parent catch-ups, formal 'parents evening' sessions where you're able to dicuss the progress against the EYFS criteria.
We shall miss Sara, and thank her enormously for the care she has always provided.
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Terry
on 05/03/2025
Sara looked after my little girl Meri since she was 6 months old. I was nervous getting childcare in place for my littlest one but Sara was very organised, prepared and caring. Sara and Meri’s relationship is lovely to see and I know she will miss the fun times they had when she starts nursery having recently turned 2. My daughter’s development has been well managed and tracked and I feel very well kept up to date in terms of daily activities interests, likes and dislikes. Sara has done a great job at preparing Meri for nursery and would recommend her childminding services to others looking for an engaging, happy and caring environment.
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by
Swain567
on 15/10/2024
Sara has been providing before and after school care for our son since he joined reception in 2022 and we are very happy with the care provided.
Sara has been able to spend time doing phonics, reading and math with our son during the week which has helped improve his learning and given him time one on one with an experienced teacher.
Sara was able to accommodate our son’s allergy within her care setting and always ensured ingredients were checked for his safety. Sara also arranged for training in the use of epi pens so that she had a full understanding of what to do if a reaction did happen-this really gave us confidence that our son was well cared for.
Sara really welcomed our son into her home and family and he has really enjoyed his time at Sara’s cygnets.
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by
Paula
on 01/05/2024
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This profile 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.
