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NatureBuds Childminding
Services and organisations that have the Local Offer flash have filled out inclusion information, meaning that they meet the needs of people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Hi! I'm Annabelle and I run a childminding service called NatureBuds Childminding, from my home near St Just-in-Penwith. 

I have a real passion for early years (0-5 years) and supporting children's childhood in general, and aim to do this by offering quality childcare which engages children in a variety of fun and educational activities. Please see below for more details.

As well as childminding, I'm also trained in BabyCalm, ToddlerCalm and Baby Massage.

About NatureBuds Childminding

If you're looking for quality, Ofsted registered childcare that focuses on the Early Years Foundation Stage, which involves lots of craft, nature-based play, song and story, then this is the setting for you.

Your child's well-being

Your child's well-being is my highest priority.  I follow the latest guidance and safeguarding training to ensure your child is safe at all times. I carry out risk assessments on my setting and for outings. I have a list of policies which I follow in order to keep your child safe and secure. These, along with additional information on childhood and early years, are available for you to see.

We follow a rhythm (a gentle routine) which aims to embrace and support children during their day. I am aware of the importance of a gentle routine for children's well-being. When they feel safe, secure, loved and rested with a good diet, they are then free to develop well, play and interact well with others.

Healthy eating

I offer a range of healthy snacks. I also offer lunch and dinner at an additional cost. I am aware of the common allergens and am happy to cater for this. We do gardening and grow vegetables to eat at our snack times.

Who to contact

Contact name
Annabelle Wooldridge
Contact position
Childminder
Telephone
07971 044835
E-mail
annabelle.wooldridge@gmail.com
Facebook
NatureBuds Childminding's facebook page

Where to go

Address
Carnyorth
St Just
Cornwall
Postcode
TR19
Notes

The house is a spacious, terraced cottage with views of the sea. It's a semi-rural setting on a bus route on the north coast road.  We are surrounded by fields with animals including geese and cows. 

We use 3rooms in the house – the living room and kitchen, also the bathroom upstairs

The kitchen contains the dining area and space for crafting and dancing to music, as well as a lovely rayburn to keep us cosy in winter. 

The living room is filled with books and learning resources  and is designed to be a nurturing and embracing home-from-home space for children. It aims to be a fun place to promote learning through play, covering the 3 Prime areas and 4 Specific areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage. 

Other details

Costs

Table of costs
Table of costs
AmountCost Type
£5.50 per hour Per Hour
Details
I accept children who are eligible for both 2 year old funding and 3 year old funding. This means that you get 15 hours of childcare that is paid for by the government. This money goes directly to me after completing the relevant paperwork.

£5.00 per hour is my private (non government funded) rate and it includes most outings, healthy snacks, often homemade like bread and muffins etc. Organic vegetables are sourced where possible.

I offer breakfast and lunch for £2.50. Snacks and all cooking activity ingredients are included in the hourly rate
Do you offer a free or reduced rate to carers?
No

Inclusion within our setting

Wheelchair access

Has provision
No
Details
The setting is a terraced cottage with 5 steps up into the house, so access for wheelchairs is not possible unfortunately.

Dietary needs

Has provision
Yes
Experience with
Vegetarian
Organic
Gluten free
Vegan
Egg intolerance
Nut allergy
Dairy free
Details
I am a vegetarian myself. I am paedatric first aid trained and renew my training every 3 years. I accept children with allergies and intolerances. Children with acute life threatening allergies and welcome however will need to provide their own food. This is because we are a home-based setting and the setting might contain the allergen, along with any packed lunches other children may bring into the setting. A risk assessment is carried out for each child with allergies, who attends my setting.

Cultural provisions

Experience with
All children are welcome in our home.
Details
All families are welcome at NatureBuds childminding. I endeavour to know as much about the culture a child is from and will learn a little of their language, especially if English is a second language. I lived in India for two years and have much knowledge of the culture, religions (especially Hinduism) and the country. Whilst there, I mixed with pilgrims from many different countries and walks of life. I studied and lived in various parts of London for 7 years, including the east, north and south, and therefore experienced a wonderful mix of race and culture there.
Languages spoken

English is our first language at the setting, however I support children's additional languages.  I work closely with children and parents to encourage them to speak their language in my setting.  I ask parents if they would like me to learn some words in their language to speak with their child during our day.  It is also great for other other children to hear a different language spoken, and can lead to activities we do about the world, geography, and different traditions and cultures. 

I create a balance of using English which is important to speak, but also supporting a child's own language and culture as well.  I would purchase different resources to help with this support eg. books, posters/displays and learn some words in their language to help them feel supported. 

Pet provisions

Are there any pets at the setting?
Yes
List of pets
Other furred animal

Childcare information

Vacancies

Immediate vacancies
Yes
Details
**Please contact me** for up-to-date information on availability. I fill up over the summer leading up to September, so book well in advance! Mobile: 07971044835 I am open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays from 9am to 4pm. If you need an earlier morning start, this might be possible on some days.
Date updated
06/09/2021

Funded places

3 & 4 year old funding
Yes
2 year old funding
Yes

Opening times & facilities

Opening times
Opening times
DayOpening timeClosing time
Monday 9am 4pm
Tuesday 9am 4pm
Wednesday 9am 4pm

School pickups

Offers pickups
Yes
Schools
St Levan Community Primary School
Details
I can collect and drop from St Just town square if around school run times. So this can be around 8am or 8.50am or in the afternoon at 2.12pm or on my way back from St Levan at 4pm

Ofsted information

Ofsted URN
EY494621
Link to latest ofsted inspection report 
Inspection history
Inspection History
Inspection DateInspection typeInspection Outcome
07/11/2017Inspection (Early Years Register)Good
24/05/2023Inspection (Early Years Register)Good

Inclusion details

Saint Piran's Flag
SENCo name
Annabelle Wooldridge

Early Years Local Offer response

Learning and development

Systems and strategies we have in place to identify children that may require additional support

 If a child has two settings, I offer to share the learning journal with them and am always open to speaking about a child's progress, with parental permission.


I am happy to liaise with providers and schools to support a child with SEND in my care.  I will share any observations and the learning journal (with necessary permissions).  If any further observations or different approaches in caring for a child are needed I am happy cater for this, within my and the setting's capacity.

I carry out two-year assessments and provide a copy of the progress report for the Health Visitor. I will consider suggestions arising from the appointment and carry out any recommendations for the child's progress.


I have a good working relationship with parents and believe that a two-way flow of regular information is key in order to support their child as much as possible.  I use an online learning journey platform where parents can access photos and observations of their children during the day.  I do regular observations in accordance with the EYFS and this keeps me aware of a child's progress in all 7 areas.  I support where needed and promote areas of strength to help a child progress further.  From these observations I can identify where additional support may be required.


Additionally, I have a good support network of experienced childminders as a member of the Quality Childcare in Cornwall group, from which I can draw advice and support.  I have completed work experience at the Children's Ark nursery in Pendeen and therefore have excellent source of early years practitioner support.


I will also contact my local SENCO if needed.

How we identify and support children's learning and development needs

I have regular communication with parents and I like to ensure that a good working relationship is nurtured. We share information verbally and through use of the online learning journey platform. This can be shared with other settings too, if a child also attends a nursery for example. I'm happy to meet with a child's keyperson or reception teacher if needed, to share information about a child's progress. I continually observe the child's development when in my care and relate it to the EYFS and their stage within it. I note next steps in their learning which I promote further.


I am keen to further my own learning in order to support children, and will attend regular CPD trainings. Additionally, I think that a positive environment and relationships are key to supporting children's learning and development. I try to maintain a well planned environment and this, combined with interested and encouraging parents and teachers who have time to give individual attention to the unique child, leads to children who are enthusiastic and open to learn. I foster positive relationships with the children and parents, and try to practise clear communication.

Links we have to other agencies

I have access to my local SENCO if needed for support and advice.  I'm in regular contact with other childminders in the area and we meet for outings or playdates.

How we support children transferring to school

In order to prepare a child for school I think it's a good idea to share the learning journal (with parent permission) with the new teacher so they know as much about a child as possible. If needed, I can meet with the teacher to ensure we're working together to support the child. This can help identify any additional learning or well-being needs a child may have. I write a transition report for the child when they leave my setting for school for the parents and new teacher to read. 

Welfare

Specialist skills or training our staff have

Aside from qualifying in my Level 3 Developing a Childcare Business from Home which gives me many skills to professionally run  a nursery from home, I have undertaken ToddlerCalm and BabyCalm training which qualifies me to support parents of newborns and parents of toddlers.


 I am qualified in Developmental Baby Massage, and trained with renowned Peter Walker. Accredited by FEDANT (Federation of Antenatal Educators), the course also covers massage for babies with developmental delay. For more information on Peter please visit Peter Walker


I love to learn new skills, therefore I am keen to undertake further training eg. Makaton, Communication and Language development.


I have done a course in mindfulness with the Mindfulness in Schools Project (MISP)

Support we offer regarding children's health and well-being

Apart from the developmental baby massage as mentioned, I promote healthy eating and have a Healthy Eating Policy. We talk about healthy eating and where food comes from and grow food in the garden. We pick it, cook it and eat it for lunch! Children sometimes help to make their snacks and I plan other food-based activities, like making bread and vegetable/fruit muffins, for example.


 I weave mindfulness practise into our day and talk to children about being still, closing their eyes and concentrating on what they can hear. We talk about being-in-the-moment and describe what we are doing in the moment, like mixing, rolling, pressing out shapes, for example. It helps focus those who find it hard concentrate, or calm hectic behaviour! I have a Promotion of Outdoor Activity policy available to parents. I am keen to continue in my development and training in supporting children’s health and well-being by keeping up-to-date with training offered and attending training when not held during my working hours.

Ways we inform parents about how their child is being supported

I believe in working in partnership with parents, as well as other agencies, to help support children. I have written a paper on this which I email to parents in an “Additional Information Pack” when their children start at my setting. This helps support parents to see the wider picture of how working together helps children in their learning and development.


 I maintain regular verbal communication with parents. I talk to parents about their child's progress and how they can continue our activities at home. I use an online learning journal platform which parents can access at any time to see how their child is being supported. It also enables parents to actively take part in their child's experience. They can add photos and write about activities they've been doing at home. I will speak to parents before accessing our local SENCO if I think their child needs additional support.

Our complaints policy

I have a complaints policy which is given to new parents whose children start with me.

Access

Alterations we have made to make our building accessible

 Because the setting is a rented premises, I am unfortunately limited in physically altering it for access.

Facilities we have for personal care

I have an upstairs bathroom with the usual facilities for personal care. Privacy is of course respected which the children are using the facilities.

Specialist resources we have

I have various resources available to cater for children with differing needs. For example, we do craft sessions with natural materials like sheep wool and felt. We use beeswax crayons and materials from nature like pressed flowers, crunchy leaves and clay. I believe these promote a connection to our environment and therefore have a relaxing quality to them.  I have a CD player available for playing music. There is a treasure basket for young children to explore natural materials of different shapes and textures. I have various instruments which the children can play. 

How we include all children in activities, such as trips

I carry out risk assessments to ensure all activities and trips away from the setting are suitable for the children in my care. I ensure the venue to be visited is suitable for all children. I consider all the children's needs when planning an activity or outing. I always inform parents of any special activities/trips that are outside of what we'd normally do. For example a special trip to the local National Trust gardens, or a forest school adventure to the woods.

Last updated: 13/05/2023

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