Mrs Applebys
Childminder in Hatfield
Usually responds within 24 hours
Female Member since Nov 2017 Last Updated May 2025 Last Login 20 May 2025
My Summary
About Me
Ofsted Outstanding
Hi, my name is Katrina and I am a registered Childminder with over 20 years experience within the Early Years sector. I live with my husband our two children and our 2 year old cockapoo who is extremely affectionate and loves a fuss and cuddle! I also have two stepchildren who often visit to stay at the weekends. I am very caring, friendly, calm and passionate about working with children and helping them to learn and develop.
My aim for the children I care for is for them to leave my setting with a lifetime love of learning and be prepared for their next chapter as happy, respectful, self-sufficient and well-rounded individuals. I passionately believe in the value of learning through play, so children are encouraged to follow and lead their own interests and play. At the same time I like to provide experiences that support their next steps and equip them with the practical skills, interests, passions and attributes ready for when they enter formal education. I love to teach using songs, rhymes, stories, the seasons, nature and the world around them to enhance their learning, creativity, imagination and vocabulary and by providing ‘invitations to play’ based on these areas to bring them to life! The children are given plenty of time to try new things and to practice and problem solve, all with lots of encouragement and praise to help build confidence in their abilities and themselves. I also have a strong focus on outdoor play and ensuring that children are valued and cared for in a homely and safe environment where they are supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
My house is situated in the Birchwood area of Hatfield which is ideally located close to local schools, shops, parks, farms, lakes, children centres and soft play centres all of which we access on a regular basis. It has an enclosed garden where children can enjoy a range of child-initiated play and activities such as painting, chalking, the sandpit, threading, small world play, water play, reading stories, making mud pies and exploring the different insects that can be found living amongst the mud and grass. Children can enjoy using different physical equipment such as the seesaw and little tyke cars. Inside the house the children have access to the living and dining room, kitchen and a dedicated play room full of resources to support children’s child-initiated play and learning. This room also leads directly out into the garden and is situated next to the downstairs toilet and baby changing facilities. The children can enjoy experiences such as baking, playdough, sensory play, musical instruments and much more!
My Experience
I am a highly qualified Early Years Professional that has gained valuable knowledge and skills during my career with children from newborn to 12 years of age. Before becoming a childminder, I was a Deputy Manager at a private day nursery and I have worked there for the last 10 years. My role was to manage and support the nursery to apply high quality Early Years provision whilst upholding the Statutory Early Years Foundation Stage regulatory requirements including the day to day management of staff.
My Qualifications
1st Class Honours in Education Studies
Foundation Degree in Early Years
Pacey's Level 3 Home-based Childcare Award
BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies (Level 3 Nursery Nursing)
Paediatric First Aid
My Availability
Mrs Appleby’s Childcare is currently open Monday to Thursday 8.00am until 17.00pm. Please email if you have any further questions or would like to view my setting.
| 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: 15/05/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £6.50 per hour
I charge £6.50 an hour. This includes all meals, snacks and drinks. This fee also includes the cost of short outings, activities and experiences.
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
- Ofsted Certificate (added 09/06/2020)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Mrs Applebys. 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 very happy with Katrina. Our daughter was 21 months old when she started at her setting and at that time she was not talking. After couple of months she started talking and now she can’t even stop 😁. Since she started, her development has been unbelievable. We can see how much she loves her as even when she is at home, she thinks and talks about her. In the morning she can’t wait to go, so that’s the best sign we could see!
We are extremely happy that we can send our second child at her setting in September.
We would definitely recommend her!
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by
Anny
on 01/04/2024
Katrina is an amazing childminder, she provides an incredibly high standard environment for the children, takes time to plan fantastic activities and also provides a varied and healthy menu.
My daughter has progressed so much since being in Katrina’s setting, and adores her and her family.
It really is a home away from home for my daughter and we are so thankful that we found her - she has been and continues to be a huge part of my daughters development in her early years!
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by
SophieHD
on 27/07/2022
Katrina is an exceptional childminder, her kind and nurturing approach is felt as soon as you meet her. She does wonderful activities with the children, cooks delicious homemade meals and makes her home a second home for your child.
The settling she has created within her house is by far the best I have seen.
Mrs Appleby’s Childcare is in a class of its own, I highly recommend.
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by
Mum77
on 05/05/2020
My daughter joined Mrs Appleby's in April 2019, she was 2 and a half years old and had never been left with anyone outside the family. Katrina not only worked with us to make sure that she settled into the setting really well but she also Improved her confidence. Isabella was happy and relaxed within the setting, trying new foods and learning at every opportunity. We were updated daily on isabellas activities and felt completely at ease with how her day to day care was carried out. I can not recomend Katrina enough my only wish was that we didnt have to leave and could have continued on but all the work Katrina did made settling into Pre-School a lot easier. Thank you Katrina from all of us, especially Isabella xx
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by
Jennifer
on 20/04/2020
Mrs Appleby has cared for my son since September 2018 before and after school. It was so important to me to find a child minder who could offer a 'home from home' experience for my son and I couldn't have found a better fit for us both. The home setting is warm, welcoming, safe and incredibly well resourced covering a wide range of ages. Mrs Appleby herself is calm, caring, professional and nurturing and has gone above and beyond to support our needs and care for my son. My son absolutely loves his time there and is often coming home with craft activities or eager to tell me of his stimulating experiences at the setting. I am very thankful to have been recommended to Mrs Applebys childcare and I hope to remain with her for the foreseeable future. Highly recommended!
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by
Jodie
on 27/11/2018
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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.
