Playful Penguins
Childminder in Westbury On Trym (also available for babysitting)
Female Member since Aug 2009 Last Updated Feb 2025 Last Login 29 Apr 2025
My Summary
About Me
Hi there we are Ofsted registered (graded "good" with elements of outstanding at last inspection - October 2022) childminders working from a house with a lovely garden, dedicated playroom and nursery/sleep room in Westbury on Trym / Henleaze / Southmead (bs10).
Our setting is slightly different to other typical childminding settings as there are 2 childminders and 2 assistants working together as a team, with 3 of us in each day and a spare to cover sickness or holidays.
We cater for both Pre-school and younger children and offer the government funding for all eligible families across all age groups.
We think we have come up with a quite unique form of childcare that should appeal to lots of parents; taking the best bits from nursery settings (such as facilities) and combining them with the best bits of childminding & nanny settings (such as low staff turnover, regular outings, home from home environment, low staff to child ratios).
Both Chidlmidners are mums and have worked with children for the last 15 years, one of us was a Primary School Teacher and the other a nanny - there isn't much we haven't seen in that time! Our assistants are are at least level 3 and have first aid certificates and our pre school leader worked as a primary school teaching assistant for 7 years.
We have cared for children ranging in ages from newborn to 13 years old and we also have experience of twins, 4 sets in-fact. We have also cared for children with needs such as ADHD, autism and physical disabilities.
If you want to find out more, get in touch and pop over for a cuppa and a chat. We also have a great FAQ on our website.
My Experience
We make a mean Mega Brick tower and consider playing with Playmobil a perfectly legitimate thing to enjoy as an adult :)
Other than that we have worked together as Childminders for the last 16 years and previous to that we were nannies/teachers for 4 years. We have registered assistants that we work with who are generally at least level 3 qualified with at least 2 years experience. We are all first aid trained.
We have experience of twins (6 different sets), weaning, potty training (77 & counting), premature babies, delayed learning, autism, ADHD sensory & processing needs and more.
We have seen nearly every type of childhood illness and can identify nearly every type of rash - in most cases more accurately that the pharmacist. We have cared for children from newborn (we both have 2 children each too) right through to 13 years.
My Qualifications
** Psychology first class hons degree
** Teaching Degree
** Introduction to Childcare Practice
** Understanding Early Years Foundation
** Paediatric First Aid Cert
** Ofsted Registered graded as "good" during recent inspection and hold an Ofsted checked CRB
**Level 3 and Level 5 Childcare qualification
My Availability
We have a long waiting list for September 2025, and it’s very likely we will not have a space until September 2026.
We meet with parents from February 2026 and start allocating spaces from March 2026 for September 2026.
Please note we do not provide care for children before and after school.
Please also note that we can not reply to every enquiry we receive (5 on average every day) and we will not respond if we do not have availability.
Last updated Feb 2025.
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| After School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Evening | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Overnight | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Last Updated: 22/02/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Babysitting from £15.00 per hour
- Childminding from £7.00 per hour
We charge £7 per hour which includes all outings snacks and wipes.
Meals are £2 per meal and we cater for all diets
We accept Tax-Free Childcare payments, subsidised funding for all age ranges and Childcare Vouchers
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
- Utility Bill (added 22/10/2023)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Playful Penguins. 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 have been with playful penguins for the past 5years and both of my children have loved being here. It is a unique setting with all the best elements of a childminder set up, run by 4 committed and friendly childcare providers. There is more focussed attention, continuity and outings but also a mix of ages of children, to improve their social skills and understanding the needs of older and younger children, like a large family.
They go out most days to either the zoo, wild place, ashton court, or Kings weston to name a few. My kids have enjoyed rolling down hills, puddle jumping, looking for dragons, picnics and collecting sticks as part of their walks.
We have learnt a lot with regards to potty training, sleep advice and have ended up following the same play based routine as they do at penguins at home, as it works so well.
I cannot recommend playful penguins enough for people who love being active and outdoors as much as possible with their children.
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by
Sarah
on 16/08/2019
After a year of tears from my little boy at another nursery, a local mum recommended playful penguins to me. I still owe her to this day! From our very first visit it just felt right. It’s
home from home and my little boy was immediately at ease with everyone. I can confidently say a year on it was the best move we’ve made and not once have i left him in tears not wanting to go.
They go on trips pretty much daily to various green spaces, wild place, Ashton court, the zoo....to name a few. The online diary and photos you get sent from your little ones day is brilliant and proof of the great time he’s having when you see the photos of them.
It’s a small personal nursery with the attentive care of a childminder. The best of both worlds in my opinion.
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Hannah
on 14/05/2018
Right from my initial visit I was very comfortable with the service offered and this was above my expectations - so we moved fast to secure a space for my daughter.
Prior to visiting and selecting penguins I visited many other child care options.
It is a home from home experience, just tonnes more fun, interaction, visits, stimulation and care. Sometimes I just wish I could book myself in for a day too!
Eleanor has been with PP for 4 months; 3 days a week and she started at 9 months. This has given her an amazing start. At PP it is not only great to see happy children , but happy enthusiastic staff too.
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Libby
on 11/05/2018
We feel very lucky to have found Playful Penguins. I knew from the get go that they would be a perfect match for our daughter and my instinct was right. She settled in right away and her confidence has come on in leaps and bounds.
The children quite clearly all care for one another, which can only come from a nurturing environment and seeing things like a video of older children helping my daughter when she was learning to walk make my day.
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by
Parent
on 04/05/2018
I don't think I could praise Playful Penguins enough in this short comment space. They genuinely care for our daughter and all of the children. They take them on amazing adventures whether that be a trip to the Zoo or just the Mud Café (in the garden). My little girl always arrives and leaves with a smile on her face and she adores all of the Penguins team.
I can't imagine having ever chosen another childcare provider and after meeting with Hayley and the team we never looked anywhere else. They communicate amazingly with all of the parents with a daily diary and personal texts, emails and calls where appropriate.
Very highly recommended.
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by
Parent
on 03/05/2018
I have been so impressed with Playful Penguins, its was such a relief to find somewhere I really feel my son is safe and will thrive. The team are warm, caring and accommodating, and seem to really enjoy their job. Hayley goes out of her way to help you both settle in, keep you informed and involved, and provide a stimulating environment for your child. My son is happy and confident, and I have had a very easy transition back to work - largely due to the team's professionalism and what I feel to be genuine care and affection for the children they look after.
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Louise
on 09/10/2014
I am so glad that we found Playful Penguins, in fact I cried with joy the first time I met The staff and looked around! Hormones aside, I was so pleased to have found a relaxed and intimate setting, where people genuinely cared and where my son Finlay could thrive and have fun. He settled in very quickly, which was reassuring for me as an anxious mum and reaffirmed that I'd made the right choice. He's been at Playful Penguins for six months now and I never worry about him whilst he's there as I know he's in safe hands. He gets to do an array of different activities and I love the fact that when I pick him up, the staff take the time to tell me about his day - it always sounds such fun! I would recommend Playful Penguins to everyone!
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by
Parent
on 13/03/2013
Playful Penguins is like a home from home for my daughter Grace. She's thrived in the smaller, more personal setting. It's like dropping her off at a friends house! She has formed close bonds with all the staff and frequently tells me stories about her fun packed day on the way home!
I love that she's gets out and about most weeks to the zoo, animal park or even to the local shops to buy food. This really sets Playful Penguins apart from other nurseries who rarely get the chance to take the children out.
I Would highly recommend playful penguins.
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by
Parent
on 13/03/2013
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