Alison Cook, Childminder

For the past 35 years I have enjoyed a variety of activities with children including teaching and outdoor pursuits. However, once I  became a mother I discovered I held a deep love of family life and I believe children thrive best within a home. For the past 20 years I have dedicated my working life to childminding, giving children the opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive home environment.

In the past we have had a number of family pets including 2 dogs, a chinchilla, sugar gliders and hedgehogs. Currently, we have one dog and two African pygmy hedgehog and a goldfish. Children have appropriate contact with these animals.

I have a large garden designed for children's exploration and discovery. There is a climbing frame and mud kitchen, trampoline and sandpit, a safe pond where we have watched dragon flies emerge and often check for frogs. There is a wealth of other spaces and play equipment. Children are able to play inside or outside as they choose in all weathers if they choose.

When possible we go for walks to the park, woods or to town.

I enjoy music and encourage children to join in songs, music and dance. I particularly use songs with actions by Fischy music which encourage children's social and emotional development. 

My home is organised so children can play independently, there are spaces for role play and craft activities which children can access independently or with adult support. Currently, we spend a lot of time in the kitchen where the children help to bake and prepare meals. Activities like this are not just enjoyable but introduce mathematical concepts, improve dexterity and help the children develop a greater cultural capital. 

I plan for children's activities through their individual interests, seasonal changes and stories, often through traditional tales but also including modern classics such as Julia Donaldson. I also support the local library by providing the library storytime for under 5s.

My care of children continues once they go to school. My home is a place they can come back to after school, they can relax and play with their friends, have tea or share board games as they might do at home. As children have grown up a number keep in contact with me after they have gone to university and it is a delight to see them grow and flourish.

There does appear to be a persistent fault with my TV which only works when it's dark and even then generally after tea. However, I find the children are unaware of this, they are too busy playing. 

I am an ordained priest in the Church of England. As such I believe in developing children's awareness of spirituality and faith. I do thin by giving children opportunities to develop a sense of awe and wonder of the natural world around them, eg watching a the fire or lighting a candle at snack time, or watching the birds in the garden and noticing the variety there. I also encourage the children to be aware of their connections with other people and the world around them through storeis and action, eg being aware fo climate change. I encourage the children to have an awareness of faith by reading faith stories from around the world. I am very happy to support a child from any faith background. 

Children who come after school are welcome to bring a packed tea. I enjoy helping children prepare a cooked lunch as part of our daily activities, but I find that preparing tea takes me away from the children when they need me. 

NURSERY EDUCATION FUNDING FOR 3 & 4 YEAR OLDS WELCOME. Graded 'OUTSTANDING' by Ofsted, 2011 and 2015 Accredited with the Charter for Quality Award.