Nicola

About Me

I am an Ofsted Registered Childminder with 13 years experience and a Mum to 2 grown up girls who are both at University.

I offer a home from home, nurturing setting with a light and airy dedicated playspace for the children. This has access to and overlooks our well stocked, large garden.

We provide an exciting and varied range of activities that are rich in learning but child led and focused on the individual child.

We spend plenty of time outside in all seasons. As well as visiting places like Ashton Court and Leigh Woods. I am a fully qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader. I qualified to integrate Forest School into my setting to enhance and compliment what we were doing already. We spend entire mornings going into the woods to explore and be in nature offering rich learning opportunities. I often invite another Childminder along to join us. This gives the children the opportunity to socialise and make friends and be part of a larger group experience.

We also go to the allotment which is part of a community garden, it’s a raised bed so even the youngest little ones can join in with digging and watering. As it’s a community allotment it offers it’s space to other groups in the community. We get an allocated day (every Monday) meaning when we visit we have the space to ourselves! It’s a perfect oasis in the middle of the city! There are lots of other lovely things to do there as well as learning about growing, like pond dipping, role playing in the play houses, using the Toddler group resources such as ride on vehicles. As part of their learning we visit the local Garden Centre so the children can choose what they want to grow in the allotment. A drink and something to eat in the cafe also goes down a treat!

We go to toddler groups which are just for Childminders, providing high value resources, activities and access to outside space and other outings such as farms and local parks.