Michael
Childminder in Altofts
Male Member since Sep 2016 Last Updated Nov 2024 Last Login 04 Nov 2024
My Summary
About Me
Both my wife Marianne and I are Ofsted registered childminders and we run BabyDoll Childcare in Altofts, near Normanton. As parents ourselves we fully understand the juggle that many other parents have with work and children, so we offer a range of cover including short-term or long-term arrangements, either during term-time or school holidays only, or both. We also consider some shift patterns and other ad-hoc care where we have availability. We try to put ourselves in your shoes and work around your needs where we can.
We're a homely, family run setting and we aim to forge strong, trusting relationships with you as parents, and your children. As such families stay with us for a long time. We've made many family friends through our business, and watched children grow from being babies into adulthood - many staying in our care right through to high school! We're still in touch with a number of "mindees" who have now got families of their own so we're caring for their children too!
In our childminding setting you get the benefit of level 3 qualified and experienced adults caring for your children, in a well presented, clean and tidy, spacious, caring family environment. If professionalism and customer service is important to you we can help. With both adults coming from managerial backgrounds we have many policies in place to enable our business to run smoothly and efficiently. We fully understand your need for a supportive, transparent and professional service. We pride ourselves on keeping up to date with technology so our business is completely paperless - run from an online web portal. Signing up and day to day matters can be dealt with from the comfort of your own home! There is also an app, so you can log in from your phone and check on any aspect of our business, or update on what your child has been doing during the day!
Our daily childminding activities include regular visits with the community to toddler groups, soft play centres, music & movement group, story time group, children's centres, the local park, etc. We have a playroom with a large amount of resources available, and the children have access to the whole ground floor of our house, plus a large secure garden with climbing frame etc.
We are an accredited provider with the local authority so we can offer free, funded childcare to 2, 3 and 4 year olds. This means that we are regularly monitored by the local authority and we have to stay up to date with the latest training and best practice guidelines within the industry. My wife and I have first hand experience of caring for children with disabilities and special educational needs, including high functioning Autism/Asperger Syndrome, ADHD, Dyslexia and Oppositional Defiance Disorder.
We cover age ranges from 0 upwards.
We are a busy setting so please contact us to discuss your needs. If we don't currently have vacancies that suit your needs we can offer you an opportunity to be placed on a waiting list in the event that our vacancies change.
My Experience
I have 15 years childminding experience. Before I had children of my own I held several managerial roles in previous employment, so I can assure professionalism at all times.
My Qualifications
I am qualified to level 3, having a Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Development. This means that I am able to work at supervisory/manager level within a nursery environment.
I undertake regular Continuing Professional Development and attend quarterly meetings with the local authority to receive training and to stay updated with framework and business changes.
Recent training includes a 10 month Early Years Professional Development Programme. This course concentrated on the prime areas of learning to support us to improve outcomes on school readiness, early language, early mathematics and Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED).
Some courses have to be retaken every 1-3 years. The following is just a selection of the courses I have completed.
BUSINESS COURSES
Introduction to Childminding
Effective Customer Service
Sharing Good Practice
Self Evaluation – sharing ideas for completing the section – Quality of Teaching, Learning and Assessment
CHILD DEVELOPMENT & BEHAVIOUR
EYFS Observation, Assessment & Planning
The Characteristics of Effective Learning
Letters & Sounds
Phonics and Early Reading
Early Speech, Language & Communication
Numbers and patterns
Maths through Stories and Rhymes
Positive Behaviour Management
Dialogic Book sharing
LONG-TERM COURSES/QUALIFCATIONS
Level 3 Diploma for Childrens and
Young Peoples Workforce - 12 month course
FRAMEWORK RELATED AND STATUTORY
Revised EYFS Progress Check at age Two
Changes to Ofsted Inspection Framework
2 Year Old Integrated Review
Observation, Assessment & Planning
SPECIAL NEEDS
Developing SEN Practise
SEND Training
Working with Autism Workshop
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder
SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION
TQUK Paediatric First Aid, Level 3
Level 3 Safeguarding & Child Protection
Designated Safeguarding Officer Training
Prevent Duty: General Chanel Awareness
Recognising and Preventing FGM
Intro to Child Sexual Exploitation, Level 2
The role of Children's first hubs & Early Help Hubs
Reporting Communicable Illnesses/Diseases
FOOD AND DIET
Food Safety in Catering – Level 2 Award
Healthy Eating in the Early Years
Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Eating in the Early Years
My Availability
We offer funded places for all age groups (0 - 5 years). Please contact us if you wish to book in advance as places are in extremely high demand.
CHILDREN aged 0-5:
From January 2025 we'll have a place for a young child on Monday, Tuesday and Friday mornings between 09.00 am to 1.00pm (minimum 3 hours), and part/full day on Thursdays.
EARLY YEARS CHILDREN (Aged 3-4 years, Pre-Reception)
We provide care for children attending nursery for 15 hours per week, and accessing at least 15 funded hours per week with us. Regrettably we cannot provide wraparound care for children aged 3-4 years old, accessing all their 30 funded hours at school nursery.
BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL SESSIONS:
We cover ALL Altofts schools. We do not cover schools outside of the area.
BEFORE SCHOOL SESSIONS (Reception upwards):
We have vacancies on Mondays to Fridays before school.
AFTER SCHOOL SESSIONS (Reception upwards):
From January 2025 we will have a place on Monday, Tuesday & Friday afternoons.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS:
Reserved for parents who use our services during term-time.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CANNOT ACCOMMODATE SHIFT WORK, AND OVERNIGHT OR WEEKEND CARE.
Please contact us if you'd like to be put on a waiting list in case a vacancy becomes available before then for any of the age ranges.
Our opening hours are 7.00 am to 5.30 pm.
Please contact us for more information.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | no | no | no | yes | no | no | no |
| After School | yes | yes | no | no | yes | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 04/11/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £4.25 per hour
We charge by the hour and our fee is competitive and in line with other business in the area. Further information about fees will be provided upon application.
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Martin Frobisher Infant School
- I provide drop offs at Normanton Altofts Junior School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Lee Brigg Infant and Nursery School
My Ofsted Inspections
The inspection grades below have been obtained from the Ofsted website based upon the registration number the childcare provider has provided to us. You should verify this information yourself prior to using the childcare provider.
My Documents
- Ofsted Certificate (added 13/06/2023)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Michael. 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.
Both my children have been looked after by Mike and his wife Marianne. Back in 2009, I was looking for a childminder and spotted Marianne and Mike in my daughters school playground. Instantly I was drawn to them and made an enquiry. I really like the idea of a husband and wife team and have not been disappointed. I was very nervous about leaving my baby boy and worried about how my daughter would settle in. They not only took care of my children they cared about how I was too, recognizing my separation anxiety. Our children are great friends with their children as we are with them. You could not ask for anyone better to keep for your children and keep them safe while you are at work, and you can be sure that they will love and care for your children as though one of their own.
Forever grateful for everything you have done and continue to do as we approach 11 years of business but most importantly friendship.
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Maz and Mike have been our childminders for seven years. They are always professional and my children are happy and secure with them. Aswell as providing a very reliable service Maz and Mike are brilliant role models for the kids. They do lots of activities and there are many stand out memories from bike riding to arriving on sledges in the snow. Many kids have been going long term so have become close friends with my own children. Highly recommended.
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My 9 year old son and 7 year old daughter have been going to Mike and Marianne (Maz) childcare services now for quite a while on a Monday after school. They are 2 of the nicest and most professional people that I know and show a genuine interest in my children and any others they look after. My son looks up to Mike and has a lot of respect for him and knows he can discuss his day with Mike or Maz especially the tough days. Only today Mike had identified that my son was not himself and without being pushy or overbearing had a little chat with him and found out the issue and discussed it with me when I came to collect him. My son felt much better that he could discuss this with Mike and I am grateful that I was made aware so I could discuss further when I got home.
I trust Mike and Maz 1000% with my children which is extremely important as let’s face it our children are the most important people in our lives and I know they are safe, educated and happy with Mike and Maz. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND them to anyone looking for childcare in their catchment area.
Thanks guys for taking such good care of our kids.
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My Son has been with Michael and Marianne’s Babydoll childcare for the past two months.
Prior to sending him to Babydoll, my son had never attended childcare. Michael and Marianne provide a home from home setting and ensured he was fully settled in and happy. They also provided me with regular updates.
What stood out to us was Michaels interaction with the children on his daily walks to school and this is something that is continued in the setting.
Michael and Marianne also have high expectations of behaviour and manners.
I would 100% recommend both Michael and Marianne to anyone as a childcare provider.
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I’ve used Maz and mike on and off for the past 12 years with my older son and then my daughter and baby. All my children have felt safe whilst being with mike and Maz, I’ve never had any issues over the years! I think that my children being in an home environment with other children has helped bring my children on Leaps and bounds! Mike and Maz are friendly amazing people would defo recommend 5***
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