Coral Gates
Childminder in Bury St Edmunds
Usually responds within 1 hour
Female Member since Jun 2009 Last Updated May 2025 Last Login 30 May 2025
My Summary
Coral & Tony Childminding
About Me
I have been an Ofsted Registered childminder for over 25yrs and was a Nanny for four years before that, as well as having my own son who has now grown up and left home. I work with my husband who started as my assistant in 2013 and then became a registered childminder himself in 2015 with ofsted, thus giving the children in our care a home from home family environment with a higher adult to child ratio.
As childminders most weeks we visit an indoor play area, other childminders, lots of different parks depending on the weather and do lots of play in the back garden which is fitted out for the children. During the school holidays we travel further afield and visit different places of interest!
We offer the Government funded spaces, plus also take childcare vouchers and registered with theTax Free childcare scheme.
We have a big garden with a wide range of outside toys including play house, slides, small climbing frames, trikes, seesaw, mud kitchen and lots of different activities to do that are attached to the fences.
My Experience
I have worked with children since 16 years of age, first when doing a City and Guilds qualification and helping out in primary schools, then as a live out Nanny and from 1994 as a Childminding.
My husband Tony has been involved with the childminding children from 2001 and has worked full-time as a childminder since 2013.
We have looked after a wide age range of children from babies that are a few weeks old to teenagers.
My Qualifications
City and Guilds qualification in childcare
NVQ3 in Childcare and Education.
SENDco
Different training we have undertaken:-
City and Guilds qualification in childcare
NVQ3 in Childcare and Education.
SENDco
First Aid
Safeguarding Children
Food & Hygiene
Makaton 1 & 2
I’m 2 look what I can do
Girls and boys come out to play
Letters and sounds (phonics)
Structured learning to support children with Autistic spectrum disorder
Foundation Workshop
Birth to Three
Early Years Foundation Stage
Every Child Matters
Working with Parents
Tiny Talk (baby signing)
Being safe effective first aid management
Child Exploitation & Online Safety for Education
Equality & Diversity
Improving children’s learning through play
Preventing Bullying
Promoting Positive Behaviour
Supporting early language development
Culture & Practice
Short, Medium & Long term Curriculum Planning workshop
Gadgets & Gizmos
Observation & Assessment workshop
Inclusion
Developing Self-esteem in young children.
Child Development 0-5 years.
Fundamental British Values.
Managing Behaviour.
Recognising and supporting children with SEN.
Understanding the Revised EYFS.
Communication and the EYFS.
KEEP – The Key Elements of Effective Practice.
Health and Safety : ICT
Digital Skills.
Health and Safety in early years.
Supporting children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD.
My Availability
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Morning | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| After School | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 14/05/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £5.50 per hour
We can be paid weekly or monthly and are set up to take Childcare Vouchers, do the Government funded hours plus registered with theTax Free childcare scheme.
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
- DBS Check (added 12/03/2019)
- Ofsted Certificate (added 07/10/2018)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Coral Gates. 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.
Coral and Tony offer home-from-home care and education. They're truly professionals and have offered our daughter the best possible experiences. Like any parent we were nervous about leaving our daughter however, they've made the transition seamless for us all. Our daughter absolutely loves attending and comes home happy and content. They have such a comprehensive understanding of child development, which is evident throughout their wonderful setting and daily practice. They've been patient, caring and understanding and have made adjustments to accomodate our daughter's needs. We also receive photographs and updates throughout the day, which is wonderful. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
Food-
Communication
by
Katie
on 14/04/2025
Response by
Coral Gates
on 15/04/2025:
Thank you for the lovely review and it’s a real pleasure to look after your little one.
I can't express enough how grateful we are to have found Coral and Tony as our childminders. From the moment our little girl started with them at just 1 year old, I was naturally apprehensive about leaving her. However, Coral and Tony made the transition so much easier with their deep understanding of child development and their genuine care.
Our daughter is always excited to go to theirs, and it’s clear that she has formed a strong bond with both Coral and Tony. They engage the children in so many wonderful activities, from planting vegetables and watching them grow, to picking and eating them, to growing butterflies and enjoying days out. Their garden is incredible, and the kids absolutely love spending time there as there’s so much to do.
Coral and Tony have always been incredibly supportive, offering valuable advice whenever I have concerns or questions about behaviour issues. Their attention to each child’s needs is remarkable, and it’s clear they put their hearts into what they do.
We feel incredibly lucky to have found them, and it’s such a bonus that they’re so close to home. I truly don’t know what we would do without them. Thank you, Coral and Tony, for the love and care you show our little girl. We couldn't have asked for better childminders!
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
narutike
on 20/08/2024
Response by
Coral Gates
on 20/08/2024:
Thank you very much, that is so kind of you 😁
Highly recommend Coral and Tony! My son has been with them for 2 months now and he absolutely loves it. They are both very professional and a fountain of knowledge not just in the childcare setting but also for at home too. He’s made lots a friends and loves the garden!
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Kim
on 14/08/2024
Response by
Coral Gates
on 14/08/2024:
Thank you
Coral and Tony are incredible. It was a very difficult decision to put our little girl in childcare and I was riddled with worry and guilt but Coral and Tony were amazing at putting us at ease on our first visit and their home is welcoming and the things they do with L is so much fun but crucial for her development. When our HV mentioned L was behind in one area, they immediately addressed this and she is ahead for her age.
They are also very keen in offering advice when struggling with particular things as they have a wealth of experience and knowledge.
L. is always excited to go and so happy 😊, we can't believe how blessed and lucky we are to have found them!!!
They are part of the family and we are incredibly grateful they took us on
You certainly won't regret dropping your little one off with them and will be confident that they are having the times of their lives, learning lots, eating loads and sleeping well but they usually don't have spaces.
Good luck with your decision
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Adulis
on 17/12/2022
Response by
Coral Gates
on 18/12/2022:
Thank you very much 😁
Myself, my partner and our little one met with Coral to discuss enrolling him in her care come September.
We were so welcome from the start and loved Coral’s approach to play and development.
Unfortunately due to my working hours we were unable to go ahead with Coral (which we were devastated about)…. If things ever change we’ll be getting in contact with Coral immediately.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Zoe
on 03/03/2022
Response by
Coral Gates
on 03/03/2022:
Thank you, that’s very kind 🙂
After our 1st child Chloe got on so well with Coral and Tony, we had no hesitation leaving our 2nd Olivia with them. Both started with them around 9/10 months old and settled very quickly. A friendly, respectable environment, have been brilliant throughout Covid and kept us informed with everything. We highly recommend this fantastic couple.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Whitby80
on 17/06/2021
Response by
Coral Gates
on 17/06/2021:
Thank you for the lovely review 🙂
Our son has been with Coral and Tony for just short of two and half years. He started at 10months and is now just moving onto nursery at 3 years old. I cannot thank both Coral and Tony enough for providing such a fun, safe and educational environment. Our son is such a happy and outgoing child and absolutely loves it here. We are are going to miss you all, i couldn't have found a better childminder 😊
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Alanna
on 28/08/2020
Response by
Coral Gates
on 30/08/2020:
Thank you so much for the review and good luck in the future 😊
2nd review of this lovely couple. Chloe is now set to leave as she has turned 3, she started with them at 9 months. She has thrived from being with coral and Tony, I think she is going to be upset when she leaves as she has built a beautiful relationship with them. I can't recommend them highly enough. We will definitely use them again if we have another baby. 5*
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Whitby80
on 18/03/2019
My daughter loved being with Coral and Tony and learnt so much from them! Could not recommend them more.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Fran
on 16/03/2018
My daughter loves going to spend the day with Coral and Tony. She’s always has a lovely time and loves interacting with the other children.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Parent
on 28/11/2017
You must be a registered parent and logged in to leave a review.
If you don't have an account then Register Free now.
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.
