Additional Info:

I have 18 children in my care, all part timers, 12 are from Tower College. Most personal recommendations of parents whose children I have minded in the past or mind currently. They range in ages from 2yrs 6mths through to 11 years of age, and each one of them is very special to me.

To leave your child with an almost complete stranger is possibly the most important decision a parent would ever have to make - that's why you need to be comfortable and 100% happy that your are leaving them with a fully registered/CRB checked/experienced/qualified person who will be like an Auntie to your child, who your child will be happy and content with.

I am confident that I can provide those requirements. When you've read my page and if you decide you want to discuss further, please feel free to call me and I'll arrange for you to come and visit me in my home.

I am registered with OFSTED and at my inspection early February 2011 was assessed as "GOOD" in every category. I am also a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) providing cover for all Rainhill & Cronton schools including Tower College, St Barts, St Anne's, Oakdene, Rainhill Nursery, Cronton Cof E, Holy Family RC
I can provide My OFSTED registration number and inspection report at interview.
I live with my partner, Hugh, and my two sons, Thomas and Michael, and my cat Dave, in a large house in The Meadows, a quiet cul-de-sac in the centre of Rainhill Village, just a mile away from junction 7 of the M62 motorway and two miles from the M57. Rainhill Rail station is less than 1/2 a mile away

I am 53 year old, and after taking (very!!!!) early retirement’ with over 31 years service as an IT Project Lead with Royal and SunAlliance in Liverpool city centre, I began childminding in September 2006.

When I retired, rather than do a job for the sake of it, i decided to something I wanted to do, which would be worthwhile and make a difference. My own childminder made such a difference to me that I was able to concentrate on my job without worrying about the welfare of my children. As a result I decided that childminding would be the perfect way I could make a difference.

I have a fantastic relationship with the parents who appreciate my professionalism and flexibilty plus I have great relationships with all of the children; one of them has even written a poem about me!!!! (which I have added to my feedback file!!) It's great when the children "sigh" because they don't want to go home!!!!!

I wasn't always there to collect my children on time because of my demanding job; however, my childminder was very flexible and very, very understanding which relieved me of a lot of worry whilst trying to drive home on the busy motorways after a busy day!

I aim to do just the same for the parents I have as clients, which include numerous doctors who too all have very important and demanding jobs in their respective hospitals which sometimes means that they have to stay to complete operations and they're late collecting the children.

Because my own youngest child is now 16 I can focus my attention on my "childminding" children whatever time their parents come to collect them. My Clients appreciate this flexibility as it relieves them of the added stress of ensuring their child is being looked after.

I have been childminding since September 2006 and have cared for all ages of children from 3 months through to 13 years of age. I currently have 18 children on my books, all part-time: I type up my weekly schedule a month in advance for the regular children and so i know at a glance whether i can fit in any 'ad-hoc' cover, good job I used to be a project manager in my previous role!!!!

I have a 'welcome' pack for prospective clients which shows my policies and procedures which parents can take home and read/refer at their leisure.

It's my impression from discussions I've had with other childminders who have their own small children that few of them if any are willing to care for children other than their own at weekends, as, they want to spend quality time with them given that they've had other children in their house all week. As my own two boys are 21 and 16 they are doing their own things and so i can provide weekend childcare should it be required.

My eldest Son, Thomas is 21 and is an apprentice mechanical engineer with a large multinational company and is doing very well in his chosen career path. Michael is 16 and is doing very well as a pupil at Rainhill High School, currently in year 11.

Hugh is 57, a retired Station Commander with the Fire Service, who is now self-employed as a trainer in most aspects of Health & Safety.

Until a few years ago Hugh and I were very active members of St John Ambulance and we were regularly out on duty in the ambulances, also providing support to the NHS in their busiest times such as New Years Eve. This was very rewarding but we decided to spend more time together as a family pursuing our other interests.

During my time with St John, I gained experience in a number of areas which are valuable in my work as a child-minder, namely First Aid at Work, of which I am a trainer/assessor, paediatric first aid, pre-hospital fracture management, manual handing and manual handling for carers, risk management, food hygiene, advanced driving, emergency driving, minibus driving and taking care of young members (aged 5-16) at events.

We are all avid golfers, Hugh and I are members of Lee Park, Allerton, and the Vale of Llangollen Golf Clubs where we play as often as we can.
Michael has just bought his first set of adult clubs and is very keen to improve. I've just taken on the role of Treasurer of the Ladies Section at Lee Park and am the Secretary of the House Committee at Allerton.

We are also avid gardeners and in our spare time we enjoy membership of the National Trust and English Heritage

We also have a cat called Dave who is 6 years old, very loveable and enjoys having the children around him

My Experience
Having brought up my own two children whilst working full time, I have experience of childminders from a parent's perspective which has proved invaluable to me as I can empathise with Parents and their concerns, whilst I aim to provide the best possible individual-focussed care for those children that I mind.
The majority of the children I currently care for are schoolchildren (between 3 yrs and 11 years of age) who attend Tower College in Rainhill, a 7 year old girl who goes to St Bartholomew's Rainhill, and I have two little boys of 3 and 4 years old, who I take to Rainhill Community Nursery for the morning session. I can drop off to Rainhill Nursery every morning but am only able to collect mon/wed/thur/fri. i can collect on Tuesday but only from the afternoon session. From September, I will be taking these boys to St Anne's Primary School in the centre of Rainhill.

As mine are older and independent, I can easily accommodate weekend childminding (Michael was aghast at the thought of going to the cinema or bowling with mum, what if his friends saw him!!!!)

I have lots of excellent feedback in my portfolio which includes personal recommendations from the children as well as the parents!!
The best recommendation I can have is when the children complain to their parents when they come early to collect them!

Several of the children I care for are Hindu and Muslem and they have very strict rules about what foods they can and can’t eat. I also have one with a very bad nut allergy, one who is strict vegetarian and others who are generally 'faddy' eaters so I have to be very organised with meals and snacks!!

This doesn't present any problems though as I plan the week's menu (with the older children) for breakfast and their evening meal if required. the children call my menu 'the food list' and enjoy selecting their meals each week!

Some of the children are with me for school run every day and some part time; I have an 8 seater people carrier (thank goodness!!) and i prepare a schedule every week, which includes taking them to dance classes, Kumon sessions, judo classes and tennis and swinmming lessons - good job i used to be a planner in my previous role!!!!

Because we have such a busy schedule through the school week, we keep ourselves busy with activities in the house when we have time (craft, cooking, playing games on the wii, board games etc) but weekends and school holiday time we are outside most of the time, at the park, Knowsley safari Park, Walton Gardens, Acorn farm, Taylor Park, Formby Squirrel Reserve & Formby Point, Southport, Nature trails, Delamere forest, Tatton Park, Dunham Massey, Quarry Bank Mill, for picnics and adventures, to name but a few! We also visit the local indoor play centres where the children can let off steam!! - some of the younger children have made new friends at these centres - definitely a social skill builder!!!

My car is insured for business use and I have public liability insurance with the National Childminding Association (NCMA). I'm also a qualified member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and have passed my test with MIDAS which is the Minibus Drivers Association.

I have been a member of the NCMA since I first started childminding and use all of their contract and support documentation which is invaluable to me and my clients.

I also accept childcare vouchers in payment of fees

My Qualifications
First Aid Trainer/Assessor (with parental approval, emergency aid training will be given to over 5's - recovery position, cpr,control of bleeding).
Advanced Driver (Member of Institute of Advanced Motorists(IAM).
MIDAS driver (member of Minibus Driver's Association).
NCMA member (National Childminding Association).
Certificated by NSPCC in 'Safeguarding Young People',
Certificated by NSPCC in 'Someone to Turn To'
Certificated by NSPCC in 'Creating a Culture of Safety'.
Certified by CIEH in 'Health & Safety in the Workplace'.
Certified in 'Moving & Handling for Carers' .
Certified in Food Hygiene - I have recently been inspected by the Food Safety Officer for the Environmental Health Office and was Passed at the highest level
Certified in 'Principles of COSHH' (Control of Hazardous Sustances)
Certified in 'Principles of Risk Assessment'
Certified y CIEH to Level 2 in "Fire Safety"




My Availability
I can provide School drop off/pick up from all Rainhill & Cronton Schools:
Tower College
Oakdene County Primary
St Anne's C of E Primary
St Bartholemews RC Primary
Cronton Cof E Primary
Holy Family RC Primary

Plus Rainhill Community Nursery (Drop Off & Pick up with afternoon childcare every day except tuesday - Tuesday morning drop off or late afternoon pick up only, not lunch time.
I HAVE 1 FULL TIME and PART TIME SPACES AVAILABLE. I AM HAPPY TO PROVIDE FOR SINGLE DAYS, JUST MORNING, JUST AFTERNOON, EMERGENCY CHILDCARE ETC.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME AND WE CAN DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS.

PLACES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAY PERIODS ONLY OR SCHOOL TERM TIME ONLY - THERE IS NO RETAINER REQUIRED.

FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS I MAY BE ABLE TO COME AND COLLECT YOUR CHILD AND BRING THEM HOME, SUBJECT TO A SMALL MILEAGE CHARGE (25p per mile)

I am available monday-friday 07:00 - 19:00 , saturday/sunday - 07:00-16:00

Standard hours are Mon - Fri 08:00-18:00 however, I can be flexible for shift workers etc and extend care hours for emergencies etc.
Non-standard hours (for which there is a small increase in fees) are before 08:00 and after 18:00, bank holidays and weekends

Free breakfast is available for school children dropped off before 08:00am
Free evening meal is available for school children cared for till after 4.30pm

Full and Part time places are acceptable

I am also available on an ad-hoc basis for baby-sitting; please contact me for details

school run for:
Tower College
Oakdene County Primary
St Anne's CE Primary
St Bartholemews RC Primary
Rainhill Nursery
Cronton Primary
Holy Family Primary

My Fees
Childminding
Payment by childcare vouchers are acceptable. I have an account with EDENRED/ACCOR and SODHEXO - I am willing to set accounts with other providers as required.

Fees must be paid in advance

NB: I DO NOT charge a retainer during the school holidays or fees when I'm on holiday or sick but I DO expect parents to pay my fees if they are on holiday or the children aren't brought during the agreed contracted hours

Fees

My Fees
Childminding
Payment by childcare vouchers are acceptable. I have an account with ACCOR and SODHEXO - I am willing to set accounts with other providers as required.

Standard Monday - Friday
Contracted Hours:
£5.00 per hour (£1.25 per 15 mins or part of) 08:00-18:00
£7 per hour (£1.75 per 15 mins or part of) other times
Non-Contracted Hours
£6.00 per hour (£1.50 per 15 mins or part of) 08:00-18:00
£8.00 per hour (£2.00 per 15 mins or part of) other times



Weekends & Bank Holidays
£7 per hour (£1.75 per 15 mins) weekends between 08:00 and 18:00
£9 per hour (£2.50 per 15 mins or part of) after 18:00 and bank holidays

Part Time places available

Breakfast available for school children dropped off before 08:00am
Evening meal available for school children cared for till after 4.30pm
(included in fees)

Babysitting
£6 per hour (for 1 child) or part of before midnight, £8 per hour (for 1 child) or part of after midnight. Additional children minded charged at £3 per hour and £4 per hour respectively

Services Offered

Babysitter, Childminder

Also has

Professional Qualifications, CRB/Police Check, References, Driving Licence, First Aid Skills