Helenmel
Childminder in Calcot
Usually responds within 12 hours
Female Member since May 2011 Last Updated May 2025 Last Login 08 May 2025
My Summary
Natural Montessori Style Childminder
About Me
Oct 2024. Current availability for 1 child under 5yrs.
Hi,
My home based setting is based upon the Montessori/Curiosity Approach ethos. I am currently working towards my Curiosity Approach accreditation.
My name is Helen Melvin and I live with my husband and two of our three daughters in Calcot, West Reading. I have been a childminder for over 30 years. I offer a very flexible service; have a caring and patient nature and a very good sense of humour. I believe that childhood is a wonderful time – it is filled with so much awe, wonder and innocence, and I am totally committed to ensuring that every moment a child spends with me is explored to the full.
I provide independent, professional and affordable childminding service in West Berkshire to help your child learn and grow in a safe and nurturing environment. As a mother and grandmama myself, I have a wealth of experience in dealing with children, behaviour management, toilet training and issues relating to sleeping and eating. I totally understand that leaving your child with a childminder is a huge step and a decision not to be taken lightly, so I am determined to provide quality childcare that parents can trust.
My aims and objectives are:
* To enhance the development and education of the children in my care.
* To provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment; and
* To work within a framework that ensures equality of opportunity for all children and families.
I can assure you that your child’s safety is my main priority. With this in mind I carry out extensive risk assessments of my setting and every place that we visit. I also have an excellent understanding of child protection issues and regularly update my safeguarding qualifications. My business is also registered with the ICO.
I am committed to the welfare and development of all of the children in my care and will ensure that their environment is safe, warm, friendly and stimulating.
We are a family of five Black Belts, and I am a qualified Black Belt Taekwon-do Assistant Instructor. In the past, I designed and taught part-time my own Life Skills Curriculum to children aged 4-7 yrs. These life skills include Bullying, Stranger Awareness, Road Safety, First Aid, Healthy Eating and Fire & Emergency Services. My classes were very popular with parents and students.
My Experience
I have over 30 years of professional childcare experience, a love of children and a commitment to providing long-term care. I have an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare & Development and have up-to-date DBS and Paediatric First Aid Certificates. I am a fully insured member of Pacey. I also undertake in excess of 25 hrs CPD every year in my own time. And I am currently working towards my Curiosity Approach Accreditation.
Children learn in different ways and all have different interests. I carefully plan the activities and resources for each individual child. I regularly carry out observations of the children playing and use these observations to plan the best possible learning opportunities using their individual interests. This may include having focuses such as a festival or important event e.g. Christmas, Easter, Chinese New Year, Diwali or topics like 'numbers’, 'pirates' and ‘colours’.
I provide every child with a Daily Report Book which will record your daily’s day.
References are available upon request. For further information about my childcare setting, please refer to my website.
My Qualifications
NVQ3 Level 3 – Child Care & Education
Paediatric First Aid
Makaton Foundation
Levels 1 & 2 in Food Safety
Safeguarding Children
(a complete and comprehensive list of all of my qualifications and ongoing professional training is available for parents)
I am dedicated to providing the best possible care and education, and am committed to my continuing professional development to ensure that I remain up-to-date with legislation and regularly attend extensive training courses in my own time which exceed on average over 30-35 hours per year.
My Availability
Availability - Oct 2024
Registered for tax free childcare
Offers 15 & 30 hrs funded childcare
Flexible School Holidays are available - subject to availability
| 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: 07/05/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £5.80 per hour
I offer funded places for 2, 3 and 4yr olds. Please contact me for further details on my fees as these are based on number of days required.
My Local Schools
This childminder has not yet informed us whether or not they provide any drop off or pick up services at local schools.
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
- UK Driving Licence (added 20/08/2023)
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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.
