Luc1Ana
Childminder in Crawley
Usually responds within 2 days
Female Member since Sep 2009 Last Updated Dec 2024 Last Login 21 Dec 2024
My Summary
About Me
My name is Francesca Stephens and I live with my Husband of 23 years Wayne and our two daughters Charity who was born in June 2006 and Harmony who was born in September 2007.
We live in the Pound hill area of Crawley just off the Balcombe round with close access to the Industrial estate, Gatwick Airport, Three Bridges Station and local buses.
I aim to provide a high standard of care for all children in my care, each one being an individual in their own right. Children are allowed to be children and develop at their own pace.
Prior to becoming a registered childminder I worked for ten years at Sony, starting out as a Stock Controller moving on into the Customer Service department and my final position was as a Print Buyer.
As a registered Childminder I have also passed a Criminal Records Check (now referred to as a DBS) as has my partner Wayne. I have also received and passed an Ofsted Inspection with an overall outcome of Good.
I am a member of the Professional Association for childcare and early years (PACEY) and have their legal and public liability insurance.
I have been approved by West Sussex to offer the free entitlement for two, three and four year olds.
I offer a clean, safe, caring home environment providing routine as well as having lots of fun both indoors and outside. Weekly activities include visits out in the local area such as parks, shops and regular attendance to both parent and childminder run toddler groups, children centre's, the library and soft play. We also enjoy arts and craft, free play, singing and story time. Other visits may include visits to the local farm and Tilgate park nature centre as well as seasonal outings. I live next to worth park where there are lovely gardens to explore and within walking distance to parks and the pond where we can see the local wildlife.
I use an online system which allows me to give parents access to view daily diaries, observations, progress and upload photos and much more. I also find that having a WhatsApp group where we can share experiences and photos works well too.
My Experience
As well as my own personal experience bringing up my two daughters I have also gained experience from the children I have cared for ranging from behaviour issues, toileting to include potty training and real nappies through to feeding including baby led weaning and moving children on to solids. I have cared for children with ages ranging from 5 months up to 11 years when they first started at the setting and been lucky enough to see them change and grow into the individuals they are today.
I work with the parents, not against them and will aim to take on their routines where possible.
My Qualifications
As a registered Childminder I have:
Attended a ‘Childminding Briefing Session’ at the end of February 2008
Obtained my ‘Paediatric First Aid’ and Anaphylaxis Training this is redone every three years last completed in March 2019
Completed and achieved A Grade in a Cache Level 3 Qualification 'Diploma in Home Based Childcare'.
I have continued my professional development by attending various workshops and courses to keep up to date and well informed on the latest childcare methods.
I have also completed various Child Protection Courses as well as courses related to the Early Years Foundation Stage which sets the standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old.
I am currently level 4 qualified and have been awarded a Certificate in Early years practice CERT EYP (Open)
A full list of the courses and conferences I have attended as well as my qualifications is available in my portfolio.
My Availability
Normal working hours: Currently Tuesday – Friday 8am – 5.30pm*
Hourly Rate: £ per hour per child **
N.B There is a minimum booking of 3 hours per session.
* I am willing to consider shifts so please do discuss with me if this is the care you require
I do not normally work Bank Holidays however if you do require care this may be arranged in advance at a cost of Hourly Rate x 1.5 if I am able to provide care
** Rate to be advised once requirements have been discussed for example number of days, hours, food etc…..
I am able to drop off and pick up from Milton mount playgrouop in Pound hill and also Milton Mount School
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| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Morning | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Afternoon | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| After School | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Evening | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 21/12/2024 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £6.00 per hour
** Rate to be advised once requirements have been discussed for example number of days, hours, food etc…..
I accept Childcare Vouchers and can also offer the early years free entitlement.
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
- UK Passport (added 02/04/2023)
- Exam Certificate (added 07/01/2019)
- First Aid Certificate (added 07/01/2019)
Reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Luc1ana. 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.
We were really nervous at the idea of leaving Harry with anyone at all when we were first looking for childcare but Fran made us feel really relaxed and part of the family. Harry always comes home with a huge smile on his face. Fran has been really flexible with us when we’ve needed it due to work - this has been a lifesaver. Fran is always out and about with the children, at different groups, activities, etc. I am amazed at some of the things they get up to! Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Fran to anyone.
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Our daughter has been with Fran for 14 months and she loves it. Every morning when I drop her off I know she is happy and well looked after.
They are busy come rain or shine, my daughter has a better social circle than I do. Every day she comes home telling me what they have done .
We really would highly recommend Fran and are glad our daughter will be with her until she goes to school.
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by
Parent
about
Luc1ana
on 08/05/2018
Response by
Luc1ana
on 17/06/2018:
Thankyou for such a lovely review. Only feels like yesterday I met you in the library with a very tiny baby and now she is growing up into a fun and loving little girl, looking forward to watching her grow and change something she is doing very quickly lately.
I used Fran from early 2009 when she was first starting as a childminder. We needed someone convenient and flexible and the service that she offers is fabulous. Over the years she has dealt with all three of my children on a full time basis and also cared for my partners children too. We only stopped using her when the youngest started full time education. Highly recommended. Her husband and two daughters are great and really friendly too. Thanks for all you have done for us all over the years xx
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by
Parent
about
Luc1ana
on 16/03/2018
Response by
Luc1ana
on 17/06/2018:
Thankyou, it has been a pleasure looking after your children and watching them grow. Thankyou for choosing me all those years ago.
My son has been going to fran since May 2017 when he was just 8 months old. We could not be happier with the care of our son from fran he asked her, her girls and the others children fran cares for.
Nothing is more satisfying when I drop him off to Fran's to see how happy he is to see her and wave me off. I leave knowing he will have a fun packed day with fran.
Fran is flexible, reliable and great at communicating with us. We love to receive picture updates whilst we are at work and log on to baby diaries to get all the latest info on his day.
We highly recommend fran and couldn't ask for someone to do any more than she does for our son.
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Fran has been looking after my son for the last 2 years. We're moving away from the area and wish we could take her with us! She is simply brilliant with the children she cares for.
My son really does treat Fran's place as his 'Home from Home,' her girls are like the little sisters he's never had and he adores them. My husband and I know how very lucky we've been to have Fran as our childminder and we've been thrilled with the service she provides.
Fran is very reliable, flexible, understanding and approachable. Nothing is too much to ask and she has helped me out on more than one occasion when I've needed childcare outside of our contracted hours. Her communication is parents is outstanding and she's always looking for ways to grow her service.
We can't say enough good things about Fran and 'Home from Home' - she is HIGHLY recommended by us and I know the other parents feel the same.
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