Herron Sandra - Childminder - 111716

I work closely with all the children in my care and involve parents continually. As a childminder I work alone, but by also working closely with professionals who may be involved with any child in my care I ensure that the right support is in place. In a smaller home based setting I can help your child build self confidence and positive self-esteem, helping to make your child feel secure both emotionally and physically. I focus on your child’s strengths and interests, using these areas to indentify activities to support learning and development.

I use the EYFS as a guide for each child’s development. Curriculum planning is based around your child’s own strengths and needs. All activities are individually tailored to your child’s developmental needs, rather than their age. Activities are ‘child led’ built around children’s interests with my guidance to help children meet their individual next steps. Activities in the home environment together with trips away from the setting allow your child to explore and investigate in a rich environment.

As a parent you will be kept informed of your child’s progress. This is achieved through daily discussions, a communication book and your child’s development journal. My resources are available for you to borrow to support specific areas of learning and development within your child’s home. I am also happy to suggest activities for you to do with your child at home. Any concerns are firstly shared with yourself and with your permission I would seek further advice from the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) coordinator or other relevant professionals.

I provide a safe and secure home based environment for your child. Their overall well-being is my utmost concern. My provision and outings are constantly risk assessed. I have a behaviour policy which I implement at all times, and positive behaviour is re enforced and encouraged using praise. There are house rules in place to ensure the safety of children at all times. Medication is stored as directed and information is recorded by myself and signed daily by parents. I am trained in first aid and on the use of epipens. I will always seek training when medication has to be administered. I have level 4 safeguarding training. All training is updated regularly. All members of my household have had a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. I have a full range of policies including Admissions, equal opportunities, confidentiality, safeguarding, complaints, camera and mobile phone, health hygiene and safety, sickness and behaviour. All my policies are reviewed annually or following training/legislation changes.

have previously worked and currently work with professionals for children in my care, including speech therapists, social workers, health visitors, paediatricians and pre-school staff. I follow professional advice to assist with progress specifically for your child. I have a good network of childminding colleagues with a wealth of experience amongst them. I can access further expertise and advice from my PACEY coordinator, the local authority or seek advice from other professionals.

Training is undertaken regularly to ensure necessary knowledge and to enhance my professional development as the need arises. I have undertaken training in areas such as; behaviour management, attachment theory, supporting 2 year olds. I am trained in first aid, makaton and have level 4 safe guarding training. I have my certificate in Childminding Practise level 3, and completed an additional level 3 course on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

>I have an inclusive setting and this extends to all activities within and outside my home environment. Before undertaking an excursion I would seek your advice, as you have the most up to date knowledge and information regarding your child’s needs and requirements. All trips are risk assessed taking into consideration the needs of all children I have in my care.

I work from my home which is a detached bungalow. I have a gravel driveway which is accessible to wheelchairs/pushchairs, but these may need to be pulled rather than pushed to avoid getting stuck in the stones. There is one step up to the covered porch way. All facilities are located on the ground floor and both the kitchen and bathroom have extra wide entrances to allow easier wheelchair access. There is a door frame lip and one step down to the patio at the rear of the property and then three further steps up to the main lawned garden. I walk to the local primary school mornings and evenings three days per week. I have a seven seater car that to access has a very high step up, which can be difficult to enter and exit.

I have an admissions/settling-in policy which I follow for all new children attending my setting. An initial meeting is set up with the parents, this gives us the opportunity to meet each other and discuss your individual childcare needs. You are provided with a copy of my portfolio and policies to take away to read. Once a parent decides to use my services an additional meeting is set up to complete a contract and provide permission forms to be completed before the child attends the setting. An ‘All about me’ questionnaire is completed to help with the transition and short free settling-in visits are set up to help your child familiarise themselves with the new surroundings. When your child moves onto a new early years setting or school I will with permission help and support the transition, talking to the professionals from these services and providing a written learning and developmental progress report for your child.

In my care I can provide Government funded early years education (EYE) for eligible 2 year olds and all 3 and 4 year olds. This is for a maximum of 15 hours per child per week term time.

The decisions about now much and the type of support your child receives will follow discussions with you the parents and after observations and assessments that I undertake. Also, where appropriate the 2 year old progress check. If further advice is required I will, with permission seek advice from my PACEY coordinator.

You the parent know your child better than anyone and you will always be involved in the care and development of your child. Within your child’s ‘Learning and development’ journal, I ask you to add your comments and ideas, and through your child’s ‘communication book’ and daily discussions, your input and ideas will help to plan activities to extend your child’s individual interests.