ABOUT

My Name is Nicki.
I am an Ofsted-Registered Childminder with 30 Years’ Experience in Bicester
Providing high-quality private and funded childcare, including school-age provision.
Nurturing young minds in a warm, home-based environment.

Ofsted Grade Good February 2025

I am registered with Ofsted and was inspected in February 2025, receiving a "GOOD" evaluation.

As a childminder, I am assessed under the same rigorous standards as nurseries, focusing on areas such as leadership, curriculum, children’s welfare, and inclusion, all aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework.

I am happy to share my full Ofsted report with parents-please ask if you would like a copy. Below is a summary of some of the positive feedback from my latest inspection.

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"The provision is good.

The childminder has established secure setting-in procedures that focus on the individual needs of the children. As a result, children are safe and happy in the childminder's home. She responds to them warmly, helping children to feel emotionally secure. Children are familiar with the daily routines and form close relationships with the childminder. They look to her for consolation and reassurance. For instance, the childminder comforts children when they are upset or hurt. The childminder builds her curriculum around children's individual needs and interests."

"She builds on children's speech and language, helping them to extend their vocabulary. Young children communicate well and eagerly respond to simple questions and instructions. Children develop an understanding of what contributes to good health. The childminder talks to them about how healthy foods help them to grow. She takes children to activity sessions with other childminders and their children. Children can play in the garden and have opportunities to visit various places of interest. For example, they walk in the woods, visit farms and local parks. This effectively promotes children's physical development and their understanding of the world.The childminder ensures that children enjoy their learning and that it is relevant to them."

"The childminder has established very positive relationships with parents. They speak highly of the childminder and the good-quality care and education she provides. The childminder regularly shares information with parents about children's learning and development."

How I Plan Your Child’s Day

Every child deserves the best possible start in life. High-quality early years education plays a vital role in helping children thrive, stay healthy, and be happy. When planning my curriculum, I create a positive and nurturing environment that supports the development of the whole child-encouraging growth across all areas of learning in a holistic way.

Personalized Planning Tailored to Your Child

To ensure the best care and learning experience, I gather information from parents, carers, and other settings involved in your child’s life. I also observe and engage directly with your child to understand their interests and needs.

Using the Development Matters framework, I assess your child’s current stage of development and identify their next steps. This helps me tailor activities and learning opportunities that support their growth and curiosity.

Focus on the Prime Areas of Development

My planning covers all seven areas of development, with special emphasis on the three prime areas that lay the foundation for all future learning:

Communication and Language
Physical Development
Personal, Social, and Emotional Development

These prime areas are essential for sparking children’s enthusiasm for learning, building strong relationships, and helping them thrive.

A Rich and Stimulating Learning Environment

I invest heavily in a wide variety of resources for both indoor and outdoor play, ensuring activities are age-appropriate and developmentally suitable. I also use trusted educational platforms like Twinkl to inspire new ideas and activities.

Children enjoy regular outings on the bus, which they love, and during summer, we occasionally take trips by train to add variety and excitement.

Activities Within the Setting

Your child will have access to a diverse range of fun and educational activities, including:

Playdough, imaginative play, puzzles, and games
Peg boards, music time, dancing with disco lights and streamers
Magnets, stampers, stencils, shape and number activities
Tuff trays, junk modelling, stories, iPad learning, dressing up
Construction sets, small world play, painting, yoga, and more

Outdoor Play and Garden Activities

Our garden is packed with equipment and activities to encourage physical development and exploration:

Trikes, bikes, scooters, stepping stones
Parachute games, bats and balls, water wall, slides, rockers
Den building, bubbles, netball, playhouses, play kitchen
Sand and water play trays, chalk drawing, and much more

Exciting Outings and Community Experiences

We regularly enjoy outings that enrich your child’s learning and social experiences, such as:

Rhyme Time and events at the local library
Bus rides, cinema trips, soft play with bouncy castles
Feeding ducks, charity shop visits, nature walks in Cutslowe Park
Playdates with other childminders, visits to the Community Café run by special needs teenagers
Parks, picnics, breakfast outings, special children’s events
Exploring and observing the world around us

I strive to create a balanced mix of activities to keep your child engaged, happy, and excited to learn every day. If you have any questions or would like to know more about our daily routines and activities, please feel free to get in touch!

Qualifications and Training

I hold a Level 3 Diploma in Pre-School Practice and the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (SENCo), government-accredited qualifications. I also completed a placement at Glory Farm Nursery School to gain practical experience.

Recent Professional Development

I have completed the Department for Education’s 2024/2025 Early Years Child Development training, covering eight comprehensive modules:

Understanding Child Development and the EYFS
Brain Development and How Children Learn
Supporting Children’s Personal, Social, and Emotional Development
Supporting Language Development in the Early Years
Supporting Physical Development in the Early Years
Mathematics
Effective Curriculum and Assessment
Supporting Individual Differences and Needs

Additional recent training includes:

Understanding Distressed Behaviour in Children (Newbury College)
Understanding Mental Health in the Early Years (CACHE NCFE)
Up-to-date Designated Safeguarding Lead training
St John Ambulance First Aid Certificate for Early Years Practitioners

I regularly participate in webinars and ongoing training to stay current with best practices.

Experience

With over 25 years of childminding experience, I have also worked with the Youth Offending Team and served as a Youth Leader, enriching my understanding of children’s diverse needs and development.

This version presents your credentials and experience clearly while emphasizing your commitment to continuous professional development and quality care.

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Please feel free to contact me for any current availability.
Thank you
Nicki

Opening Hours and Fees

Monday to Thursday:
7:00 AM – approximately 5:30 PM

Pre-School Children

£6.00 - £6.50 per hour
Minimum booking: 6 hours
Funded places available – please contact us for details

School Children

Morning sessions: £6.00 (8:00 AM until school drop-off at 8:40 AM)
After school sessions: £6.00 per hour (minimum 2 hours)
We provide care for Glory Farm School students
For care before 8:00 AM, please inquire about pricing

School Holiday Care (for School Children)

£5.50 per hour
Minimum booking: 6 hours

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or to book a place!

Please note: I have around 16 working days off per year and try to give as much notice as I can

Govt funded hours

I offer stretched funding and can help by adding extra hours, spreading the cost evenly across the term to provide you with a fixed monthly payment. Please note that payments are required one month in advance.

For funded hours, a voluntary contribution may be requested to help cover the cost of special outings or additional activities. These contributions help make these experiences possible but will never affect the quality of childcare your child receives, which always follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework.

If you have any questions about funding or contributions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Let me know if you'd like it more formal or more casual!