Rachael
Childminder in Dronfield Woodhouse
Female Member since Mar 2011 Last Updated Jan 2025 Last Login 13 Jan 2025
My Summary
About Me
Hello and thank you for viewing my profile. I live with my husband and two teenage children and our springer spaniel dog, Carter.
I have over 10 years childminding experience as well as bringing up my own family. I love working with little inquisitive minds and childminding enables me to play, nurture and encourage children to flourish and grow.
I offer a home from home learning environment, filled with fun, creativity and a safe place to play and learn. Every day is different, as we do many fun filled activities that children love such as; baking, arts and crafts, playing games, painting, exploration of our local community with trips out to play groups, local parks, shops, libraries and farms. I observe and assess children within the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provide you with many photographs, daily diaries and a Learning Journal so that you don't miss out on anything too. This also gives you a lovely memento of your child's early years to look back on and cherish.
Leaving your child with a stranger is the hardest decision many parents face and it's important to get it right the first time. As a mother I understand this and endeavour to offer a friendly, caring and professional service that supports the family throughout this transition. Please feel free to contact me for a chat and come round for an informal visit.
My Experience
I have over seventeen years of teaching experience, and more recently I have been working in a local junior school delivering nurture and mindfulness to small groups of children and supporting them to find positive ways to self regulate and develop healthy minds.
My qualifications and experience before childminding has involved working with young people with learning and physical disabilities. Sensory and holistic play is an area I enjoy and my home has many opportunities for children to explore and develop through play. I also love the outside space and we have many adventures on a daily basis, enjoying nature and the great outdoors.
All of my families have been very happy with the added care and attention their little ones receive and have provided lovely references.
My Qualifications
I have a degree in Education and Training and hold a Certificate in Teaching Special Needs.
I also qualified as a SENDCO in 2020.
I continue to update and develop my professional qualifications.
I have many childminding qualifications including;
child development 0-5 & 5-11,
St John’s Paediatric first Aid Certificate
Basic Food Handling Certificate.
Safeguarding children and young people an introduction
Schemas -an observational tool to support children's learning
Working with listening boxes
Developing quality outdoor learning experiences
Observational techniques - EYFS workshop for childminders
Additional needs an introduction
Equal opportunities and Policy making
Positive relationships
Promoting Positive Behaviour 0-5 years
I continue to develop my knowledge and training of this fascinating area through the NEDDC Network.
My Availability
Please contact me to discuss availability. Thank 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 | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 11/01/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £7.00 per hour
Please contact me directly.
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at St Andrew's CofE Methodist (Aided) Primary School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Gorseybrigg Primary School and Nursery
My Documents
- Ofsted Certificate (added 17/10/2023)
- Training Certificate: safeguarding (added 16/10/2023)
- UK Driving Licence (added 16/10/2023)
- DBS Check (added 16/10/2023)
- First Aid Certificate (added 01/02/2023)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Rachael. 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.
Rachael looked after both my daughters. One daughter from age 2, Rachael made sure there was a very clear home communication book which was updated regularly.
She followed the early years curriculum through my child's interests and provided opportunities to go on trips and attend local playgroups.
Rachael also provided childcare for my oldest daughter before and after school. Both girls were made to feel welcome and part of the family. The engaged in lots of festivals and celebrations and loved to see the house decorated to match. Rachael provides both an educational setting as well as maintaining a loving and welcoming environment, where your child feels relaxed and at home.
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by
Emma
on 16/05/2023
Response by
Rachael
on 16/05/2023:
Thank you so much Emma for this lovely review. It was certainly a pleasure to care for little I&S, they were just full of fun. 💗
Rachael was childminder to my two children and I couldn't have wished to find a better person for the job. A lovely, warm, caring, very professional childminder and I would certainly recommend Rachael to anyone looking for childcare.
Rachael was always looking for great ways to entertain the kids with activities which were fun but also educational and to help the kids grow. It was always great to get home made gifts at Christmas and Mothers day and to see the kids take part in community projects such as Dronfield in Bloom, growing beautiful plant displays and attempting to grow the tallest sunflowers.
I found Rachael to be dedicated in providing a nurturing, safe, stimulating environment and I know Rachael worked hard to gain SENDCO qualification and is always looking for ways to improve the experience the kids have when they are with her.
The kids loved Rachael and I knew they were safe, well cared for and happy. In addition, Rachael has beautiful family and dog, who my kids got on well with.
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by
Sally
on 12/05/2023
Response by
Rachael
on 12/05/2023:
Thank you so much Sally for this beautiful reference. It’s was an totally pleasure Caring for T&E. I know Carter certainly misses his walks with the kids. 🫶
Our son started with Rachael at age 1 and we were really pleased how quickly he settled in with her. Rachael is a caring, friendly and well organised childminder. We were always kept up to date with our son’s progress and we were impressed with the diverse, educational and fun activities she always arranged for the children. Our son still remembers his time with Rachael and enjoys looking at pictures from his time at hers. We are very happy to recommend Rachael for anyone looking for a caring and professional childminder.
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by
Elina
on 02/05/2023
Response by
Rachael
on 02/05/2023:
Thank you so much Elina for this lovely review. Caring for Lucas was a pleasure. Xx
Rachael came into our lives when my previous child minder made a career change, we were very lucky to find her, especially as she is so popular. It was instantly evident why, Rachael is kind, caring, fun but crucially has high standards particularly concerning the behaviour of the children in their care and their relationships with each other. My son goes daily for wrap around care before and after school. He runs up her drive every morning, excited to be there. To him, it really is a home from home. Despite being there a relatively short amount of time each day, Rachael still gives my son a real sense of purpose when he’s there and does so many constructive planned activities. He frequently brings home things he has made, drawn, created and is bursting with pride. She makes efforts for the children to understand events and traditions and always remembers little things like Mother’s Day etc which means a lot. Rachael cares about their school journey too, my son is lucky enough to attend on some days with other children in his class and they do their homework together willingly - because of the environment Rachael provides. My son misses the entire family during holidays, they have a wonderful, loving family home and it makes juggling full time work and parenthood so much easier. I can not recommend her highly enough.
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by
Parent
on 15/06/2018
The contents of this review are no longer available as the reviewer's account has been deleted.
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by
Parent
on 27/03/2013
My daughter has been with Rachel since she started school. She takes and collects her from school every day. I can not recommend her highly enough. Despite only being with Scarlett a few hours a day she really makes every effort to make her feel part of the team. She makes the effort to spend time with her through making things, playing games and even baking. I have no idea how she manages to do it all. Rachel is so helpful and supports us when we need any extra support with childcare and reminding us when we need to take stuff for school.....,
Rachael is an outstanding childminder you can be rely on and trust 100%
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by
Parent
on 25/03/2013
We would highly recommend Rachael as a childminder. Our daughter has been with Rachael for the past 6 months and we are delighted with how she has developed in her learning capabilities as well as social and emotional development. Rachael provides first rate care, ensuring children are participating in a variety of activities in a safe and secure home environment. Our daughter loves going to Rachael's home and settled within the first week. Our favourite aspect of Rachael's care is the learning journal she completes at the end of each day, providing us with a record of our daughter's time there, including photos. This is invaluable as it not only gives us an insight into our daughter's day but also the reassurance that our daughter is being cared for to the highest possible standard. We would not hesitate to recommend Rachael as an outstanding childminder.
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by
Parent
on 10/02/2013
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