Nicola S

About Me

My name is Nicola Spencer and I am based in Ashford, Kent. I first opened my home to welcome children in October 2010 when I became an Ofsted Registered Childminder. I enjoy working with all ages of children and helping them grow and learn.

My aim is to provide children with excellent EYFS education and a safe and nurturing warm home. I encourage children to play, explore, learn, and have fun by taking part in a wide range of activities based around their likes and interests.
I aim to provide a setting where the parents feel comfortable in leaving their children by always putting the children first and cater for all their needs.
I structure the day around the child’s wellbeing and their individual needs and routines are considered.

I am a registered and insured childminder with Level 3 Diploma in Childcare. I live with my husband Carl. I enjoy working with children and accepting them into our home, I aim to make them feel part of the family.

My Qualifications

Introducing Childminding Practice
Basic Computer skills
First Aid Certificate
AS in Health and Social Award
AS in Food Technology
Cache Level 3 Diploma in Childcare

Hobbies, interests and likes:
Family time, exploring new places, the seaside, DIY, walking, meeting up with friends, puzzles, reading, exercising.

I am located in Kennington, Ashford, Kent. I am very near local parks, walks and shops.

At the setting children have their own entrance where they can sign in, hang their coats and put their shoes. They have access to a playroom which lots of different resources and toys. The children have a different area where they can sleep and a kitchen area for arts, craft and baking activities. The children have an enclosed garden where there is a summer house as well. The garden is currently a working progress.

Our Day

I aim to achieve a fantastic balance between routine and spontaneity! This means the children have consistency and a reassuring pattern to their day, but they are also filled with exciting new adventures and experiences

An example of what our day looks like:
Arrivals and breakfast at the table if needed
Playtime followed by a morning snack
Planned activity or outing
Playtime followed by lunch
Nap times/Quiet time/Planned activity
Playtime followed by an afternoon snack
Playtime followed by dinner time at the table
Home time

Playtime
All the resources in the playroom are available to the children all the time and are changed regularly to include the children’s interest. I get the children involved in this asking them what they would like.

Menu and Nutrition

I regard snack and meal times as a very important part of the day. Eating represents a social time for children and adults and helps children to learn about healthy eating. I am willing to puree food for babies but bottles must be provided from home, if your child has any dietary needs this can be discussed and catered for. Parents will be advised if I have any concerns about children’s eating habits and I will work with parents to supply food that the child likes.

All children are provided with milk or water to drink freely throughout the day. The children will all sit together to eat and are encouraged to use good manners whilst eating such as not speaking with food in their mouths, using knives, forks, spoons correctly, sitting nicely at the table and not messing around whilst eating etc. Children will also be encouraged to help at mealtimes like laying the table.

Meals
? Breakfast - £1.25
? Lunch - £1.75
? Dinner - £2.50

I provide a 4 week rolling menu please ask if you would like more information.

EYFS

Care, Learning & Play
Children learn when they are in a safe and caring environment where they are stimulated through play.
Babies and young children develop best when they are in a caring relationship with an adult. A baby will learn to walk faster when they have a safe pair of arms to walk towards and learn to talk, when they have an adult listening and responding to them.
I will strive to provide your child with an environment that will be caring, fun and stimulating. I will plan my play in line with the EYFS. (Early Years Foundation Stage)
I will provide activities that support the 7 areas of learning and development in accordance with the
EYFS. The areas of learning are:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Communication and Language
Physical Development
Understanding of the World
Mathematics
Literacy
Expressive Art and Design