Sarah Stevenson

I have been a Registered Childminder since 2004, I am a qualified (adult) nurse and a qualified dental surgery assistant. I have attended various childcare training courses with Wandsworth Early Years and have a Level 3 Diploma in Home-Based Childcare, as well as a current Paediatric First Aid certificate. I am a member of the Professional Association for Childcare & Early Years (PACEY) and do online training courses with them.

Prior to full-time childminding, I worked at a local primary school as a lunchtime supervisor and also volunteered there helping with reading and classroom activities and school trips & with Beaver Scout trips.

I have an elderly cat, all children are taught to be kind and gentle around her. I like to look after one or two children (under 4 years) at a time (although can have more older children), therefore I am able to offer more individualised care than in a larger group of children. We can go to Richmond Park/Kew Gardens/Museums (these are possible if there are no children to collect from school that day, as they involve quite a bit of travelling on public transport). We also visit the Wetlands Centre at Barnes, & Bishops Park Playground, Fulham & Leader's Gardens Playground, Putney, and Putney Library.

The living room of the house is the main play area which is also used for naps (I have a travel cot for a baby and a rest bed for toddlers - parents can provide their own bedding if they wish). I have a small garden & am able to offer the following activities there:- sand and water play, gardening, learning about wildlife and painting/drawing, & meals outside when the weather is good enough; We go to Putney Common for outdoor play, nature walks etc. Indoor play includes: arts and crafts, cooking, construction and dressing up, small world play and a vast array of books.

I am also able to look after nursery/pre school/primary school age children before and after school & during the school holidays. I offer full/part time and/or occasional childcare. The hourly fee includes healthy snacks, breakfast (if required), light lunch (sandwich or beans/egg on toast plus yoghurt & fruit) or parents can provide a packed lunch/food to be cooked instead. A snack can be provided at tea time or parents can provide food to be cooked/heated up instead.

I offer a friendly, flexible childcare service where each child is made to feel welcome in a homely enviroment. This relies on a mutually open and respectful relationship between myself and the parents. Current parents have described me as "friendly" and "patient" and "completely reliable". I have written references & current parents are happy to give up-to-date references via phone/email.

I ask parents to complete a short-term contract for the first 4 weeks and then if we're all happy then a longer-term contract. I offer contracts on a term-time basis which can include the school half term holiday weeks in February, May and October and possibly some time during the long Summer holiday. I take the two weeks at Easter and Christmas off for my holiday plus several weeks during the Summer. I also ask parents to complete a Child Record Form plus various permission forms (which they can choose not to agree to). I ask parents to read and sign my Policies and Procedures as well. I do hope you will consider my childminding business for your childcare needs.