Tinysteps
Childminder in London (also available for babysitting)
Usually responds within 30 minutes
Female Member since Apr 2024 Last Updated May 2025 Last Login 09 May 2025
My Summary
Tinysteps Sw11
About Me
Hi parents! Born and raised in Mexico, married in London, I have many years of reliable, high-quality and safety-focused childminding experience, & a garden ground-floor setting! Studies have found that being outdoors enhances cognitive development in children aged 0 to 4 years of age. I always make sure the children are wearing warm clothes, before going into the garden and to the park.
Safety is the top priority of everything I do, and I'm a loving childminder who strongly focuses on the growth, educational play and development of children.
Please do not hesitate to click on the 'WEB' button, which takes you to my website for Tiny Steps.
I have my own setting in SW11, off Clapham Common North Side near Sisters Avenue (for years up until recently, I've been working in 2 childminding settings, in my last role as Head Childminder, in Kew/Richmond, full-time (Monday-Friday) until I started my own setting. I have several children at my setting and they are very happy and willing to learn, as I bring confidence to my setting which rubs off on them. The setting where I was the Head Childminder at are Montessori-ethos settings.
I am a mother of 1 (my daughter is now 19 years old already).
My setting is on the ground floor of a Victorian house; it therefore has plenty of fire exits, and I try to utilise the garden and park as much as possible even in colder times of the year, as I strongly believe in growth by being outdoors. Academic research has shown that outdoor play makes a significant positive impact on children's cognitive development. The garden cannot be accessed by any unauthorised people, as it is behind the house.
I take immense pride in my work, and diligently plan daily activities in advance, which are diverse and learning-, growth-, or fun-focused. The local park (Clapham Common) starts at the end of the street I'm on, and to cross the street (Clapham Common North Side) we have traffic lights – allowing for safe crossing for us to reach the park.
Daily online journals are completed and sent to the parents, with everything regarding daily activities and learnings recorded, to keep parents constantly in the loop. I have a very strong safety culture at Tiny Steps, which will be visible to you in all my daily journal entries.
I serve a nutritious and diverse menu, as I enjoy cooking very much, and keep the kitchen very safe, to ensure the children don't get injured. I use lots of fresh ingredients.
I adhere to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) rules, aiming to support each child's growth by catering to their specific needs.
I'm happy to discuss your child's childcare requirements.
I commit to creating a very safe, nurturing, respectful, and affectionate atmosphere where your child can grow and thrive. I'm passionate about working with children, so joy is an inevitable side-products of the atmosphere in my setting.
I thrive on continuous learning and development, in the children and also in myself, so I take classes online every week to further improve my knowledge and skills, even though I have many years of hands-on experience already.
Research has also shown that spending time outdoors has an impact on mental health by reducing stress and anxiety, and improving mood, allowing the little ones to focus on their growth. This makes the garden and closeness to the park invaluable.
My husband is German and British, and works in strategy consulting. He helps me with a lot, such as, in addition to me, checking all installations, alarms and so on, every week; and with administration and management of Tiny Steps, and pre-cooks meals.
Last, but not least, my name: Silvana.
FAQs:
Could you explain the difference between a nursery and your setting?
I manage the setting similarly to that of a nursery but like to think I have a more homely environment, a closer relationship with the parents, more frequent updates, avoidance of using agency staff, and fresh home-cooked food.
In winter, larger nurseries sometimes struggle to provide consistent am-to-pm heating, which isn't the case in my setting as it's also our home (which needs heating also in evenings and early mornings).
What safety assurance do you have for when you walk to the park with the children?
There are traffic lights outside Gilmore House, which is where we cross the street (to reach the park), next to 'Grove Mansions' (near St Barnabas Church). The traffic lights allow us to cross safely. All children wear high-visibility jackets and hold on tightly to the stroller. Children go in groups: two children sit in the double stroller, and the third child (the oldest) holds the bar of the stroller and walks between the stroller and the wall side of the pavement.
Do you keep me, the parent, informed of my child's activities and how the day is going?
I constantly update parents via the app, so that they can rest assured that their child is doing well. Not only parents in the settings I have been a Head Childminder at, but also from friends who have children that I speak to regularly, and from my own experience as a parent, I know how crucial it is to keep parents in the loop, constantly.
Can I contact another parent for a reference?
Yes absolutely, parents of the children that have been under my care are often praising my work and would happily give references for me. Just ask and I will try to speak to them to get a reference.
It is likely to take several days or even weeks, because everyone is always so busy.
Where do the children nap and how are they monitored?
Each of the children have their own separate place to sleep; the sheets are changed for each child and washed regularly. They are monitored throughout.
Do you keep track of my child's development?
I do an assessment of the development of each child every 6 months (in the BabyDays app), to make sure that the areas of development are in order, according to the stages, and so that we could work together to improve areas that the child is potentially struggling with.
My Experience
In Kew / Richmond: Over three years of full-time, permanent work in two 5-star-rated childminding and daycare facilities (highly experienced and professional settings, which have operated over a decade). Most recently as Head Childminder in the two settings there. Prior to that, nannying and babysitting (see below).
Since then, Head Childminder and Co-owner of my own setting.
References will be provided.
In Mexico: 10 years of podiatry and work with children; raising my own daughter (she is now 20 years old).
Additionally, since 2019: many years of experience in nannying and babysitting for the children of friends, and of friends' friends, in East Sheen, Richmond, etc., as well as weekly after-work and weekend babysittings (for children who are under my care at the two childminding and daycare facilities in Kew / Richmond, where the children know me well and I know them well, so the parents prefer that I'm their children's babysitter).
The two settings in Kew / Richmond where I have been working had a total of 18 children, and the fact that both were garden-home settings gave me strong experience with plenty of play activities for learning and development whilst being outside with children.
OFSTED certificate from this year.
Wandsworth Council home base Early Years certificate, from this year.
Paediatric first aid (renewed this year; 12-hour Paediatric first aid course and certificate).
Food hygiene (Level 2) certificate.
Weekly further study and continuous learning via online classes.
My Qualifications
Registration certificates from Wandsworth Council Early Years Department
OFSTED certificates
Early Years Foundation completed
Paediatric First Aid
Food Safety certificate
Safeguarding
OFSTED inspection (2024)
Childcare Weekly Webinars
Previous role of Head Childminder in Kew/Richmond settings (see above)
I also worked with children, too, in Mexico, for a decade, prior to moving to London almost 6 years ago
References from the childcare settings in Kew/Richmond.
My Availability
I am providing full-time (Monday - Friday) childminding daycare in my own setting, off Clapham Common North Side near the playground, on Marjorie Grove. Voilà, my setting is called Tiny Steps.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | 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: 07/05/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Babysitting from £20.00 per hour
- Childminding from £10.00 per hour
103 per day, for a full day 8am-6pm (some other, shorter, sessions are available). £83 for 8am-3pm.
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at John Burns Primary School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Shaftesbury Park Primary School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Battersea
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Falconbrook Primary School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Thames Christian School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Eaton House the Manor School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Belleville Wix Academy
My Documents
- DBS Check (added 29/04/2024)
- Ofsted Certificate (added 28/04/2024)
- International Passport (added 28/04/2024)
- Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination (added 16/07/2024)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for TinySteps. 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.
My son has been looked after by Silvana for the last two months and we couldn’t be happier with the care and attention she gives him. Silvana’s calm and kind energy suits him perfectly. He seems to be very happy when he is with her, and is always in a good mood when I collect him. Silvana helps him with his development, encouraging him to crawl and hold himself up, she is extremely positive and we have been so pleased with his progress.
He loves to be outside so Silvana’s garden is a huge benefit as well as being so close to Clapham Common, takes him out everyday, which he really enjoys. Silvana sends thorough updates of the day through the app, explaining the days activities and his meals etc. Along with photos, in which, my son always looks so happy! He is provided with a great selection of meals, and she has helped him learn how to feed himself with a spoon and fork.
Overall I would highly recommend tiny steps as a childcare setting, I can’t thank them enough for being so kind to my little boy!
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Laura
on 19/12/2024
Our little one has been with Silvana's Tiny Steps since she opened her setting, and the joy and development we've already seen are remarkable. Silvana keeps us constantly informed with detailed diary entries, which include all the activities, meals, snacks, and new learnings and experiences, along with pictures. Her energy is impressive, as is her great planning, the large variety of activities she offers, and her creativity in designing plenty of different activities as well. We’ve also noticed her strong confidence when working with hesitant or anxious children, as she has a natural ability to reassure and engage them. It's clear she has extensive experience and a very strong understanding of her work. Silvana's Tiny Steps truly deserves a 5-star plus rating from our family. We feel so fortunate to have found such a nurturing and inspiring environment for our little one.
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Kim
on 03/12/2024
Silvana asked us to write a review for her, and I’m more than happy to do so! She has been providing childminding for two of my three children in South West London, and I honestly couldn’t be more pleased with the care she offers. From the moment my kids step through her door, they can’t help but smile, feeling instantly welcomed and at ease, and when they are handed back to us at the end of the day, that smile remains, showing just how much they enjoy their time with her. It’s clear that Silvana genuinely enjoys spending time with them, and this joy is reflected in how happy they are whenever they go to see her and when they come back home.
Silvana has a wonderful balance of being both caring & affectionate, and strict regarding rules, which is exactly what I was looking for in a childminder. She knows how to set boundaries and - in a very respectful and understanding way - maintain discipline, which I greatly appreciate. My children respect her, and they feel safe and secure in her care. It’s comforting as a parent to know that Silvana not only keeps them entertained and smiling but also reinforces positive behaviors and values.
Overall, Silvana has been a fantastic childminder for our family, and I would wholeheartedly recommend her to any parent looking for a reliable, caring, and professional childminder. Unfortunately she's changing from our area to the Clapham Junction area. Thank you, Silvana, for all that you do!
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CarmenFz
on 12/08/2024
Thank you, Silvana, for being such a wonderful part of our daughter’s life!
Silvana has been an incredible childminder for our daughter over the past 2 years, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the care she provides. She provides a warm, safe, and nurturing environment where our daughter feels completely at ease. Silvana engages the children in a variety of stimulating activities that have helped our daughter grow in confidence and social skills. Her attention to healthy eating and nutrition is also commendable, ensuring that the children enjoy well-balanced, home-cooked meals.
What truly sets Silvana apart is her genuine love for the children in her care and her thoughtful approach to meeting each child’s individual needs. She keeps us well-informed with daily updates and photos, which always brighten our day. Silvana has become a cherished part of our family, and we wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking a loving, dedicated, and professional childminder in South West London.
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Henriett
on 05/08/2024
We've had a splendid experience with Silvana, because she is so loving and careful, and energetic. She has so many activities on the go each day, makes the little ones want to go to see her every day, made our children settle in very quickly, preparing flawless healthy food for them, and is very protective to make sure there's no harm or injury risk. Overall we loved Silvana as a childminder!
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Brenda
on 11/07/2024
Silvana is a brilliant childminder. We couldn't imagine a more lovely and safety conscious childminder and she has a beautiful home, with a garden as well! My daughter adored Silvana, and she has made her home perfectly safe, and really knows how to be nurturing and loving.
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LaurenW
on 06/05/2024
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