Karen Foley
Childminder in Caterham
Usually responds within 2 hours
Female Member since Sep 2011 Last Updated Jan 2025 Last Login 31 Jan 2025
My Summary
About Me
Hi, I'm Karen Foley and I have been an Ofsted registered childminder since 2005.
My husband and I live in a 4 bedroom house in Hambledon Park, Caterham. We have a playroom full of toys, puzzles, cars, dolls, games, dressing up, happyland, Lego, arts and crafts - too many to mention!! We also have a study/quiet room which the children are more than welcome to have a little lie down if they are tired or just simply wish to chill out for a while after a busy . We also have a large conservatory which provides another room for playing/quiet time and a flat secure garden with outdoor toys, mud kitchen, water play, sand pit etc.
I currently pick children up from Oakhyrst Grange school and Caterham Prep & Pre Prep. I also offer a morning school drop off service to the above schools on a regular or an ad hoc basis if needed.
The previous families I childminded for were for years and I considered them to be part of our family. Sadly they have now left my care and gone off to school but they still come and see me regularly and I always love cooking them their favourite tea!! I’m sure any one of them would provide you with a reference if needed.
I offer a happy, safe, home from home environment with a home cooked meal every night. I am very reliable and flexible and treat all children in my care with the same love and respect as I would my own children. We do many activities such as baking, painting, reading, play doh, trips to the local parks,making nature collages, etc (too many to list!!).
I am also available for holiday care for parents that need a bit of extra help throughout half term, inset and end of term holidays. I understand that the private schools do tend to have such long holidays and parents cannot always cover it all with their annual leave so I am available to help out on a one off or adhoc basis if needed. I am happy to take children on day's out, to the cinema, seaside, feeding the ducks, museums, to the local park, pond dipping etc (or whatever is age appropriate) all with parental consent. I have national trust, Hever castle and Godstone Farm passes which we use as much as possible for fun days out.
I aim to change my car every 3 years in order to keep it as reliable as possible and also to be up to date with the most recent safety features as safety for the children in my care is a priority.
My Experience
Ofsted Registered childminder 2005 and I find my job very rewarding as there are never two days that are the same. References are available from parents for whom I have childminded for. I have a clean driving license and I regularly go on council run training workshops to keep me up to date with current legislation.
My Qualifications
OFSTED REGISTERED CHILDMINDER 2005
ST JOHN AMBULANCE PAEDIATRIC TRAINING
CACHE LEVEL 3 CHILDMINDING PRACTICE
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN WORKSHOP
FOOD HYGIENE AND SAFETY CITY AND GUILDS
SCHEMAS WORKSHOP
My Availability
I am available from 7.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday (negotiable)
plus inset days/school holidays on a one off or adhoc basis. I can also offer emergency cover if required.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 28/01/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £8.00 per hour
Please contact me to discuss fee's. I am happy to accept childcare vouchers.
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at St Peter and St Paul CofE Infant School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Essendene Lodge School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at St John's CofE Aided Primary School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Oakhyrst Grange School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Caterham School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Caterham Preparatory School
- I provide pick ups at Whyteleafe Primary School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Warlingham Park School
My Documents
- Ofsted Certificate (added 03/10/2017)
- First Aid Certificate: Paediatric first aid certificate (added 03/10/2017)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for karen foley. 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.
It's hard to put into words what Karen and her husband Michael have done for our family. The impact they have had on Jamie, and on us, is so unbelievably special. Karen is not your regular childminder, she truly is, one in a million. We are so proud of the gorgeous little man Jamie has become and we can 100% attribute that to the support and nurturing environment Karen (and Michael) have created in their beautiful home. They are the warmest, kindest people. Karen deeply cares for the children and they are clearly very happy, their needs met in every way, and most definitely will feel like they are part of a family the second they walk through the door.
Karen makes sure the children have a variety of activities to support their wellbeing and development, with regular day trips to wonderful places such as Emmetts Garden and Godstone Farm. I have actually been quite jealous on occasions of Jamie's exciting schedule!
I couldn't recommend Karen more. If you're lucky she has a space for you, please snap it up, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone better.
It's with a very heavy heart that we have to leave Karen (and Michael) as we are relocating. We will miss them dearly, but can't thank them enough for the wonderful start in life they've given Jamie, and the wonderful memories that will be forever cherished.
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Elaine C
on 12/08/2023
I got Karen to help me out when we were stuck looking for nursery space for my son. It started off as a short term arrangement that lasted well over 6 months. I can say hand on heart my son had a fabulous time with Karen and her husband Michael. He quickly made friends and learnt so many skills. We are so proud of him and glad that Karen came to our lives when she did.
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Sush
on 01/07/2023
Karen has been such a positive influence in our child’s life. He has never shown any hesitancy in going in to Karen’s house and I know that’s because it is a safe, loving and fun environment, that has enabled him to grow and learn. Karen’s house is always spotless, with lots of new toys for the children to play with. As well as this, the children are regularly taken out for fun activities, which Karen plans depending on the weather. I was particularly impressed with how careful she was with the children in the recent summer heatwave. I think Karen is fantastic and I would highly recommend.
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Annabel
on 06/01/2023
We have used Karen for 4 years and was gutted when our children moved onto school.
If you’re looking for a home from home experience without the parental guilt of knowing whether your child is ok then Karen is where to go. We were so relieved to see our children out and about enjoying all the exciting trips Karen took them on, receiving lots and lots of photos throughout the day.
Karen’s home is extremely caring and nurturing. If using Karen, your child will see her home as their own.
It was a real privilege for us to be able to have Karen going out of her way to support all our family needs for as long as we did.
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Rlatham
on 31/10/2022
The most caring, loving, nurturing environment possible for the most important person in your life.
Karen is the best! She has become part of our little ones family, and that’s exactly how Karen makes you feel. Part of the family. She has a lovely clean, welcoming setting, and is always on hand for love and cuddles. It always felt like we were dropping off at a beloved Aunties, and that gave us complete piece of mind.
Pictures and messages keep you updated and a lovely diary is completed each day so you can read about what’s been happening. You even get some beautiful physical photos sent home each month.
If you are looking for a home from home for your little angel, then look no further. Karen’s is the place for you.
Thank you for everything Karen!
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Kenny
on 17/12/2021
Karen started looking after my daughter a few months ago. The moment we stepped into her house my daughter started playing and was so comfortable - I knew immediately this was the right person and environment. She has been on so many days out that she comes home and asks me if she is going to ‘Karen's’ the next day. When I say no not tomorrow she pulls a very sad face!
This is how I know she enjoys her time there, playing, making cakes, colouring and being outdoors in the garden playing in the sand and water.
The amazing infamous Karen!!!
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Gina
on 17/08/2020
I can not recommend Karen enough, If only I could give more than 5 stars!!!
My son was so shy and didn't settle into nursery at all. After a year of upset we pulled him out and went down the childminder route instead. Literally the best thing that could ever have happened to all of us. Within a really short period of time he settled in, he was excited to go to Karens, he played with the other children confidently and he generally just came out of his shell.
Karen takes them out to lovely places and they are always partaking in some great activities. We have often then as a family gone to places where she has taken him as he has enjoyed it so much.
Karen is so flexible and always so reliable. I trust her with my child 100% and never had to worry when she had him. Not only is she great with my son she has been great for the whole family, I see her more like an aunty!!!
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SallyNW
on 10/01/2020
Karen has been a brilliant and totally reliable ChildMinder for both our son (now 5) and daughter (now 7) since they were 3 & 4 years old.
Karen came highly recommended and she has certainly lived up to and beyond this recommendation.
We felt Karen treated our children as part of her family with a strong ethos of caring, the right disciplines and always keeping them active.
Our children never once didn’t want to go which is testament to how they enjoyed their time with Karen.
Highly recommend therefore and happy to give further details.
And to echo the reviews of others...... Karen really is a Mary Poppins!
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lcelsey
on 08/09/2019
Our Daughter Marianne who is now 6 has been looked after by Karen for 2 years now. Karen has become an integral part of our family. She has a genuine passion for children. She is caring, loving, patient, full of attention and also has a natural authority. Marianne loves staying at Karen's every day.
As working parents we had to rely heavily on Karen's support and often with last minute changes. Karen has always been extremely accommodating, flexible and 100% reliable. She goes above and beyond her duties as childminder. She is truly a superstar, always attentive, smiling. Just a joy!
She is fun, loving, creative and will always look for different activities to support children's development.
She takes them out to the farm or to the park or library and the children always get along well and have become true friends.
Karen provides a home and Marianne has been adopted by the entire family... including Bella, Karen's lovely and gentle dog :-).
I feel so grateful to Karen for her amazing warmth, generosity, love and attention towards our family. Living far from France and the family Karen has been a stable force helping us create a loving, caring, stable and fun environment for Marianne.
Karen is the real Mary Poppins and we can't thank her and her family enough for all they have done for Marianne and us.
She is one in a million!!! Thank you Karen.
Emilie
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Parent
on 16/07/2018
Karen has been the most wonderful childminder to my 2 girls. She has become a great friend and has been my rock over the years. She has always gone above and beyond in her level of care and I have always felt so reassured that they were with her.
Her house is spotless and they have lovely meals every day. Karen marks every occasion like Pancake Day and Chinese New Year which they all love! They do lots of crafts and in the summer trips to the park. More often than not they don’t want to be picked up!
Karen is a very kind and lovely person, nothing is ever too much trouble. We feel very lucky to have found her and now that we have moved on we will miss her very much.
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Parent
on 23/04/2017
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