Shula
Childminder in Colchester (also available for babysitting)
Usually responds within 2 days
Female Member since May 2014 Last Updated Apr 2025 Last Login 27 Apr 2025
My Summary
Ofsted Rated Outstanding
About Me
I am a mother of four grown up children and offer a home from home environment. I have a large cosy welcoming home with a dedicated play room. Our garden is large and secure with an outdoor eating and play area. I love baking, crafting and gardening, something i like to pass on to the children in my care! I am a great advocate of child led learning and have lots of natural resources and things to suit all interests. My aim is to provide your child with a warm, friendly atmosphere in which your child will feel secure and happy.
My Experience
Other than raising my four children who were born closely together I was a nanny in my early years.
My Qualifications
Studied level 3 CACHE, First Aid trained, all members of the family over 16 are DBS checked.
My Availability
Pre and post school pick up every day from St Andrews Primary School in Marks Tey, Monday to Thursday all a day.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 09/04/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £7.00 per hour
- Babysitting from £9.03 per hour
Day rate of £70 to include all consumables and resources.
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at St Andrew's Church of England Primary Academy, Marks Tey
My Ofsted Inspections
The inspection grades below have been obtained from the Ofsted website based upon the registration number the childminder has provided to us. You should verify this information yourself prior to using the childminder.
My Documents
- Ofsted Certificate (added 09/04/2025)
- DBS Check (added 18/05/2018)
- Inspection Report (added 09/04/2025)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for shula. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk members and not of Childcare.co.uk. Parents must carry out their own checks and references on childcare providers to ensure that they are completely happy before enaging in the use of their services.
We are so glad we found Shula when looking for childcare for our daughter (age 18 months). Shula is caring, friendly and has made sure our daughter was happy and settled every time we dropped her off. Our daughter loves it when she has a 'Shula Day’. Sue provides a large variety of activities and walks/ outings, she has a lovely outside space too for children to use. Sue has been so thoughtful in acknowledging special days like birthdays and holidays for us. She has also been very flexible and been able to accommodate our daughter during school holidays now that she has started reception. Even though we moved out from Marks Tey to Ardleigh, we still dropped her to Shula for 4 days a week as she’s the best in Colchester!!! I very much recommend Shula to anyone looking for childcare as your child will be well cared and looked after not just by Shula but by the whole family!!
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Thizu
on 10/01/2022
I was quite anxious about returning to work and leaving my son, however, as soon as I met Shula, my mind was instantly put at ease. Shula's knowledge, care and passion was evident the moment I met her.
My son started going to Shula once he turned one and is treated like part of the family. The smile on his face when we arrive says it all.
Shula has a warm, loving, home from home environment - it feels like I am dropping my boy off at a family members house.
The communication to parents is excellent. We love looking through his notebook to see what he has been up to each day, what he has eaten and hours slept. Shula makes fresh, home cooked meals and does lovely activities with the children. We absolutely love looking through the journal Shula makes showing your little one's progress so far.
When Noah started, we were having trouble helping him to self settle for naps and bedtime . However, with Shulas help, he now settles himself for naps and bedtime, and now everyone is getting a well rested nights sleep.
I feel incredibly lucky that my little one goes to Shula's and have felt confident leaving him in Shula's care from day one. I highly recommend Shula.
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Kara
on 06/01/2022
My little one started going to Shula around 1 years of age, from day one of dropping my little one off I have loved knowing that he is going from a home to home environment! It is so reassuring knowing that he will be looked after just like one of her own! My little one loves going there, he has learnt so much within the past year! The communication between Shula and parents is excellent, I know exactly what activities have been done throughout the day, what he has eaten and his sleep pattern. I recommend Shula to all my friends and family all the time.
I can not wait to see my little one grow more with Shula!
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Theakenn
on 05/01/2022
I can’t recommend Shula highly enough. As a single Mum to twins I had to return to work earlier than I would have liked to. I was incredibly nervous leaving my twins with a childminder at just 6 months old. However as soon as I met Shula and visited her home I was instantly reassured! Shula has a warm, friendly and loving home and I just knew my twins would be happy there.
Every morning I drop them off and they are happy and excited to see Shula and when I collect them they are the picture of contentment! They do some lovely activities with Shula and always eat delicious home cooked foods.
Communication is excellent. I always know what they’ve eaten, when they’ve slept and what they’ve been up to. I never need to worry about my children as I know they are cared for as if they were at their own home.
In a difficult year of government restrictions Shula’s house has been a lifeline. It’s allowed my children to play with other children at a time when they wouldn’t ordinarily have seen any others. It’s also allowed them to be around adults that is not just me 24/7!
I honestly can’t recommend Shula highly enough. My only concern is that she might not stick with us until my children are grown up!! Hahahaha
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Hayley
on 16/02/2021
My little boy went to Shula at just shy of 9 months, the proof was in the pudding the comes home happy and content and exhausted from all his fun. We love reading his little diary of what he got up to that day. Its so nice to feel completely comfortable with the person taking care of your child. The environment is second to none and a real home from home. My little boy gets all the cuddles he needs and all the fun he wants at Shula's ! It Absolutely made my transition back to work a much easier one emotionally knowing he is cared for like a member of the family. I feel incredibly lucky to have found her !
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Luciana
on 17/05/2018
All four of my girls go to Shula, 3 for wrap around care and one three full days a week. Shula is the most amazing childminder, does wonderful activities with the children, is warm and friendly and very caring. My children are alway very happy to go to Shula's and she has a lot of lovely space for them to play and explore. Shula has such a natural way with children and babies, I can't recommend her highly enough.
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Parent
on 17/05/2018
The minute I met Shula she put my mind at ease and she instantly knew how to connect with my son and daughter . As parents we have quite high standards but Shula always has met all our needs and expectations and was a strong believer in routine from the offstart . Our son is a fussy eater but Shula has accommodated all are requirements. Shula also preserved with the potty training in such a relaxed and fun manner.
Our children, love going to Shula’s and without fail she always makes freshly cooked and tasty meals.
Shula has a special flare and knows exactly how to handle and manage children with such kindness and calmness . We feel confident and comfortable leaving our children in such capable hands.
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Sammie
on 16/05/2018
Shula is a brilliant childminder and I don't know what we would do without her. My son has been with shula since he was 10months old and he's now nearly 3. Shula is like a second mum to my son and he loves going there. The rest of shulas family are also so welcoming and my son loves seeing them all. Shula has always helped with any difficulties we have had and is very relaxed and calm with all the children. The activities she provides are fantastic and they are always doing something either at home or out and about. Couldn't reccomend shula enough!
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Parent
on 15/05/2018
Our kids, ages 7&9, are very happy spending time with Shula. Very relaxed and friendly environment. Fun and creative activities. A welcome home from home.
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Parent
on 22/12/2016
My daughter is really happy here. Shula provides a lovely home environment and cares for babies and school aged children. She is very calm and lovely with the children. She does really nice activities during the holidays thinking carefully about what suits each child. Very happy to recommend Shula!
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Parent
on 05/12/2016
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