Fiona's Childminding Mission Statement
My aim is to provide a warm, caring, friendly setting for children to grow and develop safely, and to feel valued and respected. I aim to work with you to provide the best possible care for your child. To do this, I am open to feedback which will help me to develop my service. This can be done face to face or written. I will try my best to implement constructive feedback received. I am a partner provider with Stirling Council, meaning i can provide funded care for certain 2 year olds, and all 3 and 4 year olds. Please don't hesitate to contact me via the "contact me" tab.
What is a Childminder?
A childminder is a childcare professional who looks after children in their own home. This provides a family setting for children to grow and learn. Childminders are regulated by The Care Inspectorate.
How much do you charge?
My hourly rate starts from £5.50 for pre-school and £6 for before and after school (paid weekly or monthly in advance). More information is available in my Fees Policy (available when we chat).
Do you provide snacks/meals?
I provide fruit and drinks. You are required to supply baby food/milk for your baby which can be eaten cold or warmed up by me. You are required to provide all meals and snacks for your child.
What about nappies, wipes etc?
You are required to provide nappies, wipes, creams, sunscreen and a change of clothes for your child. Please provide outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather - hats & gloves for winter, sun hat, cardigans or lightweight coat for summer, etc. Please bring a coat for your child regardless of the weather. It is easier to take layers off! Please ensure your child has appropriate footwear for outings/walks so that their feet are well protected.
Do you do nursery/school drop-offs & pick-ups?
I can do drop-offs and pick-ups to the nurseries/schools We can discuss this at our initial "meet and greet".
Do I sign a contract?
You will be asked to sign a contract which is legally binding and will protect both you and I. The contract will specific to your child's care. The contract contains an initial 4 week trial period. During this time no notice is required by either party should things not work out. After the 4 weeks, both parties are required to give 4 weeks notice to terminate the contract, during which time care/fees are still in place.
What information do you keep about me/my child?
I will record information about your child such as full name, date of birth, address, doctor's surgery, emergency contacts, routines, likes & dislikes, comfort items/techniques, allergies, hours of care, fees, etc. You will have access to this information about your own child, but not any other children.
This information may be shared with appropriate bodies if changes in a child's behaviour/physical body are not explained adequately (e.g. Social Services). This is detailed in my Child Protection Policy which you will receive with your contract.
Can I come to visit you to help me decide whether to use your service?
Of course! I would ask that you and your child come to visit. It is important for you to see how your child and I interact. I am a parent myself, and am open to questions you may have, please feel free to note down anything you wish to ask and bring this along to our first visit. If you think of further questions after our visit, you are more than welcome to phone or email me. Choosing who will care for your child is a big decision!
How do you ease the settling in period?
Getting used to a new carer can be difficult for some children and can be upsetting for parents. We will work together to help your child settle in. We can do this with several visits, you may stay with your child for their first visit, then he/she will stay on their own, gradually for longer spells until he/she is happy.
It is normal for children to get upset as you leave (even those well settled!). To help ease this, I would ask that you keep your departure as brief as possible. Typically children settle down shortly after a parent leaves. However, if your child remains upset for a prolonged period, I will contact you to see what you wish to do - you may want to come back to stay with us for the remainder of that visit, or come back and collect your child, or leave your child a while longer to see if he/she settles.
If your child is very upset, I may request you come back and stay with him/her or come and collect him/her.
Can you care for sick children?
It is common for children to pick up illnesses when they attend childcare or school. Your child is welcome to attend if they are well enough to participate in the daily routine, eg. mild cold. But if they are quite under the weather, I may request that they recuperate at home in their own surroundings. I have a Sick Child Policy which details my exclusion periods for various illnesses. You will be given a copy when you sign your contract.
My aim is to provide a warm, caring, friendly setting for children to grow and develop safely, and to feel valued and respected. I aim to work with you to provide the best possible care for your child. To do this, I am open to feedback which will help me to develop my service. This can be done face to face or written. I will try my best to implement constructive feedback received. I am a partner provider with Stirling Council, meaning i can provide funded care for certain 2 year olds, and all 3 and 4 year olds. Please don't hesitate to contact me via the "contact me" tab.
What is a Childminder?
A childminder is a childcare professional who looks after children in their own home. This provides a family setting for children to grow and learn. Childminders are regulated by The Care Inspectorate.
How much do you charge?
My hourly rate starts from £5.50 for pre-school and £6 for before and after school (paid weekly or monthly in advance). More information is available in my Fees Policy (available when we chat).
Do you provide snacks/meals?
I provide fruit and drinks. You are required to supply baby food/milk for your baby which can be eaten cold or warmed up by me. You are required to provide all meals and snacks for your child.
What about nappies, wipes etc?
You are required to provide nappies, wipes, creams, sunscreen and a change of clothes for your child. Please provide outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather - hats & gloves for winter, sun hat, cardigans or lightweight coat for summer, etc. Please bring a coat for your child regardless of the weather. It is easier to take layers off! Please ensure your child has appropriate footwear for outings/walks so that their feet are well protected.
Do you do nursery/school drop-offs & pick-ups?
I can do drop-offs and pick-ups to the nurseries/schools We can discuss this at our initial "meet and greet".
Do I sign a contract?
You will be asked to sign a contract which is legally binding and will protect both you and I. The contract will specific to your child's care. The contract contains an initial 4 week trial period. During this time no notice is required by either party should things not work out. After the 4 weeks, both parties are required to give 4 weeks notice to terminate the contract, during which time care/fees are still in place.
What information do you keep about me/my child?
I will record information about your child such as full name, date of birth, address, doctor's surgery, emergency contacts, routines, likes & dislikes, comfort items/techniques, allergies, hours of care, fees, etc. You will have access to this information about your own child, but not any other children.
This information may be shared with appropriate bodies if changes in a child's behaviour/physical body are not explained adequately (e.g. Social Services). This is detailed in my Child Protection Policy which you will receive with your contract.
Can I come to visit you to help me decide whether to use your service?
Of course! I would ask that you and your child come to visit. It is important for you to see how your child and I interact. I am a parent myself, and am open to questions you may have, please feel free to note down anything you wish to ask and bring this along to our first visit. If you think of further questions after our visit, you are more than welcome to phone or email me. Choosing who will care for your child is a big decision!
How do you ease the settling in period?
Getting used to a new carer can be difficult for some children and can be upsetting for parents. We will work together to help your child settle in. We can do this with several visits, you may stay with your child for their first visit, then he/she will stay on their own, gradually for longer spells until he/she is happy.
It is normal for children to get upset as you leave (even those well settled!). To help ease this, I would ask that you keep your departure as brief as possible. Typically children settle down shortly after a parent leaves. However, if your child remains upset for a prolonged period, I will contact you to see what you wish to do - you may want to come back to stay with us for the remainder of that visit, or come back and collect your child, or leave your child a while longer to see if he/she settles.
If your child is very upset, I may request you come back and stay with him/her or come and collect him/her.
Can you care for sick children?
It is common for children to pick up illnesses when they attend childcare or school. Your child is welcome to attend if they are well enough to participate in the daily routine, eg. mild cold. But if they are quite under the weather, I may request that they recuperate at home in their own surroundings. I have a Sick Child Policy which details my exclusion periods for various illnesses. You will be given a copy when you sign your contract.