Cookies Childcare
Childminder in Braintree
Usually responds within 24 hours
Female Member since Jan 2009 Last Updated May 2025 Last Login 15 May 2025
My Summary
About Me
Hi My Name is Gail and I live and work with Daughter Menolly, currently registered assistant (applying to be a childminder) and my husband Charlie who is registered as an additional assistant part time
Ofsted Registered childminder, experience of children 0-16 over 40 years experience working with children and 18 as a childminder
.
Last Ofsted Inspection 30/11/22 graded GOOD
We offer a safe and secure Home from home setting with a large garden and offer children in our care many activities with varied toys, books and arts and crafts to aid children s learning in a happy and busy environment.
We overlook the open spaces by the nature reserve and river and this is fantastic for exploring the world around us. We use the out of doors as an emphasis for our learning and offer an outdoor learning experience each week with fellow childminders at a local Scout campsite.
We love out of door activities and we are members of Essex wildlife trusts and the RSPB which provides many activity idea for children.
Both of us are involved with Girl Guiding in the area
We live on the Fairview Estate in Braintree, close to local shops and Gt Bradfords School,
As childminders we do lots of activities and outings with the children and attend the local playgroups, ECC country parks, story time at the Library, local soft play centres Zoo visits for Early year children as well as visits to the seaside at Walton, Mersea, Splash park at Maldon and visits to the zoo and Country parks as holiday activities with children of all ages .
I am a parent of two daughters and Grandparent of of Four (17,9 & 1 year old Girls, 14 year old boy)
We have very limited day spaces available for Under 5's and can offer flexible sessions for the universal 15 hour funding as an alternative to a nursery or preschool as well as the 30 hour and 2 year funding
.
We currently do a school run to Gt Bradfords Nursery, Infant and Juniors schools, we have limited space for before and after school for these schools
we offer full time, part time, Shift work cover and term time contracts. Some school holidays cover available
Evening meal provided if required. (extra fee). Lunch will need to be provided by parent/carer
My Experience
I have been a childminder since 2006 and have experience with children aged 0 to 16 years. and I have over 45 years experience of working with children in the voluntary sector, running Rainbow, Brownie and Guide units and working at youth centres.
Menolly has 4 years experience working at New Hall School Nursery for 3 years where she worked with mainly with 3/4 years old and has extensive knowledge of the EYFS and activities around it. and has been working alongside me for 18months. she also has 6 years voluntary work as a Leader within Guiding.
Charlie has experience of working with children age 0-18 via the Air Cadets
We all have experience of working with children with special Diets and medical needs and from various cultural backgrounds. and experience of looking after children with physical, educational and emotional needs and will be happy to accommodate if places allow.
My Qualifications
I have the following qualifications
CACHE level 3 in home-based childcare
NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Studies (children and young people)
level 3 First Aid
Safeguarding lead level 3
Medication
Health and Safety
Food Safety
EYFS
behaviour management
Understanding diversity
and more
Menollys qualifications
Btec level 3 in childrens play and learning
first aid
safegarding
health and safety
food safety
challenging behaviour
and more
Charlie qualifications
level 3 first aid
NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Studies (children and young people)
safeguarding
and more
My Availability
We are currently at Full capacity for early years and very limited wrap round school care and school holidays
We are very flexible and offer cover for shift work so please ring to discuss your needs
full time, part time, term time only
2 year and 3/4 year funded places (30 hours)
opening hours 6.00am to 6pm Monday to Friday
Thank you for looking
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Morning | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Afternoon | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| After School | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 15/05/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £5.00 per hour
Please ring for Further details
Generally £5.00/hour. (premium for before 7.30am after 6pm) Full time and sibling group negotiable
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Great Bradfords Junior School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Great Bradfords Infant and Nursery School
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 15/04/2023)
Reviews
4 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Cookies Childcare. 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.
Gail has been looking after my daughter for around two years now. She absolutely loves it at Gail's house and has a good relationship with her and Charlie.
Gail and her family are very warm and welcoming, she has a lovely garden and play area for the children. All children in their care are very settled and content.
I am so sad that time is nearing where my daughter will have to leave Gail. My daughter asks if she can go to Gail's house on days where she does not even attend in the afternoons so I know she will miss her when she leaves.
They are very flexible too and this has been a god send for me as at times work has been chaotic and my hours changed.
I have a good relationship with her too and she always makes time for you and doesn't rush you out of the door. Her assistant and husband Charlie and I also have chats and I feel at ease that my daughter is in their care.
Would recommend to friends.
xxxx
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 20/09/2016
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This profile has been produced from information provided to us by the user. We have not verified or confirmed the accuracy of any of the information and members should undertake their own vigorous checks and references. Please ensure you read our Safety Advice and information on how to Check Childcare Provider Documents.
