Diane Whitaker
Childminder in Shipley
Usually responds within 3 hours
Female Member since Dec 2009 Last Updated Feb 2025 Last Login Feb 2025
My Summary
About Me
I am a Childminder, registered with Ofsted, and I have over 31 years experience I have three grown up children of my own 1of whom still lives at home.
I live in Baildon in a detached house with a child friendly garden for safe outdoor play.
I visit lots of outdoor places such as St Ives woods for Den building and coppice pond to feed the wildlife, Myrtle park, Roberts park, and Hirstwoods and nature play area. We like to be out and about as often as we can and we also visit Woodbank garden centre to see Elvis the parrot and the Chipmunks and also eat ice cream.
In 2013 we acquired a tiny Boston terrier puppy, an over friendly bundle of fun, we named her Bella, then in 2015 we got our Second Boston Piper.
My Experience
I have been a Registered Childminder for 31 years.
I offer a safe and loving home environment for children and develop close relationships with parents.
I work flexible hours and tailor my services to suit parents individual needs, at the moment all the children I care for are teachers children therefore I work term time only and charge accordingly, I am available for late nights due to parents evenings and I take my breaks during the school holidays.
I am enthusiastic about my work and thoroughly enjoy working with children of all ages.
My Qualifications
I Have attended all Obligatory courses and also many recommended ones. far too many to detail here.
I have also attended a Northern Collage of Education course for Playgroup leaders.
My Availability
I am available for 5 days a week Mon-fri. Between the hours of 7.30am-5.30pm. I work term time only and there is no charge for school holidays, perfect for teachers and school workers.
If you are interested in a place and would like more information about the things we do at Di-di's please send a message with your name and address and I will forward a brochure .
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before School | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Morning | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Afternoon | no | yes | yes | yes | 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: 20/02/2025 | |||||||
My Fees
- Childminding from £42.00 per hour
Competitive Fees are available upon request.
No Charge for school holidays as I work term time only. please note I charge by the day and not by the hour.
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 23/05/2019)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Diane Whitaker. 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.
I had not even had my first scan and I was in panic mode!! Who would care for my baby when I return to work? There she was .... Diane, she came very highly recommended. So I called her and here we are 4 and a half years later.
I could not have asked for anyone more caring and a great role model to care for my son. He has been with Diane and her family and dogs, since he was 9 months old and he has just left to start full time school.
He has hit all his milestones and had lots of fun doing this. He is polite, well mannered and respects Diane and her rules.
The house is always warm, welcoming and very clean. The garden is a lovely, safe area for the children to play in, with lots of learning tools in place. The location is perfect for children that love the outdoors...... lots of areas for walking and exploring together.
It was like home from home for him, and me, she cared for him as if he was part of her family. I never ever had to worry about leaving him and he loved the family too, especially the dogs.
Diane, we can not thank you enough and anybody that has you as their childminder will be very lucky to have you in their lives and caring for their little bundles of joy.
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by
Symonds
on 05/08/2019
My first child went to Dianes over 9 years ago and we have been so fortunate to have such a loving, caring lady look after the most precious people in our lives. It was not an easy decision to return to full time work but from the moment my husband and I met Diane we knew there could be no one else to care for our child. She has a loving and calm nature and with the experience she has has helped us on so many occasions to find solutions to our parenting issues. My first child started there over 9 years ago then my second child four years ago.
I needed childcare where I could drop off go to work and know my children were in safe hands with someone I could trust 100%. Diane was this person. The magic she works with children is fantastic and wonderful to see. it is obvious she has a true love for this vocation and it is clear to see the children in her care are truly happy, feel safe and cared for.
I wanted a home from home setting and Diane has a beautiful child friendly home with an amazing garden that the children love to play in. My children have both thrived in this setting and should you be fortunate enough to get a place at Di Di's count yourself lucky!
I could go on and on about the amazing experience my children have had at this setting but I suggest you visit and see for yourself!
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by
Parent
on 22/11/2017
My daughter was 4 months old when she started going to Diane’s. A few taster sessions and she settled right in and what I thought would be a traumatic time went smoothly.
My daughter loved every minute she spent there, all the fabulous activities and outings it really is a home from home atmosphere.
I feel my daughter has had the best start in life with all the nurturing she has received while at Diane’s
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by
Matt12
on 09/11/2017
We snapped up a place at Diane's on the recommendation of a work colleague who had used her for her 2 kids. We had looked at a few providers beforehand and were due to look at some more afterwards - but no need, this was the one! Our son began with Diane when he was just 6 months and finished this Easter just after his 3rd birthday. From start to finish it was just brilliant and helped give him such a great start in every way. The house is spotless, the enclosed rear garden huge, exciting, stimulating yet 100% safe, and the activities Diane does with the kids are wonderful and educational - from the woodland walks and nature based stuff nearby and closer to home, all the arts, crafts and making things, cooking & baking, and just the interaction with Diane, her family and the other children - it was just exactly what our son needed. We only had to move on because we needed a provider that could accept the Government grant for 3 year olds and at the time Diane didn't. Another fantastic thing to mention is her flexibility with hours and days etc if this is needed. Parents' Evenings til 8.30? No problem. Need an extra whole day one week or one less another? No problem. Loads of extra charges or fees for this? Don't be silly. And you can't say that about many childminders. Extremely highly recommended in all respects!
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by
Parent
on 03/06/2014
I have known Diane now for over 7 years now before my youngest daughter was born. I mentioned at school during a lesson with her daughter that I needed a childminder and she said her mum was one! Fantastic!
After going to meet Diane and meeting other parents and children in her care I had no doubt that she was exactly what I was looking for.
Both my daughter and then my son were cared for by DiDi and absolutely loved it. She treats them as part of the family and so do her own children.
Diane made it really easy for me to go to work and not worry about my children and the care they were receiving. The only reason my kids left was to go to school!!!!
We still meet up in the holidays and the kids love gong back and exploring her fabulous garden.
I would highly recommend Diane as she is both professional, friendly and extremely caring. You couldn't wish for more in a childminder.
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by
Parent
on 13/05/2014
I have a three year old son who has been in Dianes care since he was 7 months. It was a hudge decision to return to work most importantly who would look after my baby. From the moment I met Diane I knew she was the person I wanted to look after my child. I have to say she is trully fantastic with all the children in her care and like a second mother to my little one. Children in Dianes care are made to feel like one of the family and her children are fantastic with the children also. I have been so lucky to find a loving caring carer like Diane and I recommend her without reservation. I have 100% trust and faith in her and believe in the manner she has with my child firm and fair. Diane is trully passionate about her role and this can be seen in her interaction with all the children in her care. "Di Di's" is like a home from home.
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by
Parent
on 18/01/2012
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