Q: What are your opening hours?
7.30am-6pm. Monday to Friday although these hours are flexible.

Q. What are your fees?
For full details on my fees, please click here.

Q. Will there be any additional costs?
Meals are additional and are discussed on an individual basis and dependant on your requirements.

On occasions I look to plan extra outings where an entry fee may apply – soft play, tourist attractions, ceramic experiences, etc. These would be billed as an additional cost. However, no outing would be scheduled unless all parents are in agreement in advance.

Q. Would I pay if my child were absent through sickness or due to family holidays?
For information on my fees, please click here.

Q. Do you charge a deposit or a retainer fee for a space?
I will hold a space for your child provisionally for 1 week. To confirm your child’s place, a deposit will be required and will be dependant on your childcare requirements. Under certain circumstances this timescale may change, but you will be advised as soon as possible of any changes.

Q: Do you take the children on Outings?  
Yes. To local soft play areas, library, toddler groups, and local parks. Any big trips  e.g. farms etc will be prearranged with you.

Q: Do you cater for dietary requirements?
Yes. If you require meals to be provided, I offer homemade healthy balanced meals and snacks. If your child has any special dietary requirements or allergies I will be happy to discuss these with you. A sample menu can be found here.

Q. How often do you allow the children to snack?
Children will be allowed a healthy and nutritional mid morning and afternoon snack. If a child is hungry out of meal and snack times, then fruit will be offered. I offer water and milk through out the day.

Q. What activities and outings will my child do whilst with you?
I aim to have the children in my care out and about at some point each day for outings to toddlers groups, rhyme time or outside play (weather permitting). When inside, the children will have play times, quiet times and will enjoy a range of activities. A typical day with me can be found here.

Q. Do you visit local parks and open spaces regularly?
Yes. I operate an all weather policy and hope to get children outdoors once a day. (In more extreme weather conditions, we would stay indoors). There is a park a 5 minute walk away.

Q: Do you pick up from nurseries or schools?
Yes, I pick up from all local schools and nurseries.

Q. Do you offer part time childcare?
Yes. I offer both full and part time care.

Q. What age range are the children in your care?
I care from babies from birth to 10 years of age. And if necessary older!!

Q. How long have you been working with children?
I have been working with children for over 4 years now. I have worked in both a private nursery and a school. I have also been a nanny for two lovely children and I now have my own daughter who was born in September 2009.

Q: Do you have any family pets?
Yes, we have a cat  called Jess.

Q. Who else lives in your house?
As well as myself and my daughter born September 2009, my partner Brett also lives with us.

Q. Where will my child rest?
If your child requires a nap during the day, then we have the nursery which is used as a sleep room and baby monitors are used.

Q. How will you make sure I know how my child is getting on? / How do you keep me informed of routine and progress?
Each child has their own personal diary in which is details of what we have done today, what they have ate/drank and any other details that I think you need to know. This diary will go home on a daily basis.

Q. How do you encourage good behaviour?
I aim to encourage good behaviour by positive discipline via praise and encouragement. I do not administer any physical punishment, or any form of punishment which could involve or cause pain, discomfort, humiliation or hurtful treatment to a child.

Q. Are stair gates, fireguards and smoke alarms in place?
Yes. All rooms in use by children are risk assessed regularly, the kitchen is gated as no access is allowed for children (we use the dining room for meal times), the smoke alarm is tested regularly. I also have a fire blanket in the kitchen and all cupboards and drawers have child resistant locks. Both the bottom and top of the stairs have safety gates on.

Q. Is there a variety of clean toys and equipment for the babies and children to use?
Yes. All toys are cleaned daily with disinfectant and all toys are changed around regularly to keep children interested and help with their development.

Q. Who else will be around during the day?
My partner occasionally may be home during the day but he is mostly out working. However he has a full CRB clearance which you will be shown before your child starts at my home. You will also be introduced to him.

Q. What will happen if my child is unwell or on medication?
If your child is unwell with a short term sickness such as an upset tummy etc, I ask that the child remains at home. This is to help contain the spread of illnesses among the other children in my care and myself – if I’m sick, you would need to arrange alternative childcare, so it’s best to keep your child at home.

Q. Do parents get plenty of chances to say what they want for their child?
Of course. I aim to provide the best care possible for your child and endeavour to work with you to develop a trusting relationship between parent and childminder.

Q. Do you have a welcome pack/leaflet that tells me about your service?
Yes. I have a parent pack which details all aspects of my service, all my policies and procedures and includes copies of all relevant certification. Or you can contact me on 01670790495 and I can send it out to you in paper format. Otherwise, this site should hopefully tell you everything you’ll need to know.

Q: How can I be sure of the standard of care?
I am a registered childminder. All childminders are regulated by Ofsted for the regulation of care and undergo an annual inspection to ensure that I am providing your child with a safe and suitable environment. The registration process is wide-ranging and rigorous involving references, training and health checks. A disclosure check must be carried out on the prospective childminder and every other adult in their household. The prospective childminder's home is also inspected to ensure it is a safe and suitable environment for children.

Q. Do you have Public Liability Insurance?
Yes. A copy of my certificate is included in my parent welcome pack.

Q: What should I do if I have a question?
If you have a question that isn’t answered on this site, then please feel free to contact me by phone on 01670790495 or email sarah@sarahssunflowers.co.uk