Louise, childminder - NP10 Newport

Hello my name’s Louise and I am a 34 year old qualified childcare practitioner with a CACHE Level 4 Diploma in Child Care Learning and Development with more than 10 years’ experience working with children aged from birth to 18 years along with my husband Martyn (37) who is also fully registered also has a Level 3 in ccld. I believe that my own experience as a play worker and teaching assistant and as parents to our our own has set us in good stead to care for children. Not only are we able to provide a warm, fun and friendly home setting, we will also offer a play based educational environment.

We run our childminding business from our home which is located on a quiet street in the residential area of Duffryn, Newport which is perfectly situated by the J28 of the M4, the A48 and also to the old road way into Cardiff (via Cardiff Docks). Ideally located to those who have to travel to work outside of Newport.

We have a very friendly cat (who thinks he’s a dog) called Ronnie-Ronnie and a tortoise called Marmite. There are some lovely parks close by where the children can explore, play and get some exercise. We're passionate about messy play, creative play including homemade play-dough, slime etc. and baking!

Getting outdoors - come rain or shine - Reading stories in fun ways like going on a bear hunt in the local woods and searching for that Gruffalo! As a family we love reading and hope to encourage this in our mindees. There are also local stay and plays in the area which we attend weekly.

There's a large front garden to our home used for playing on bikes and running around and a small enclosed back one which is child centered with a muddy kitchen, sand box and where we teach children about planting and growing.

We have a lovely play area in our living room where the children spend much of their time. It is a bright and cheerful room, the perfect environment for little ones. It has a reading area, with cushions and beanbags for children to sit comfortably and read. There are play mats/gyms and soft play toys etc. available for babies in our care. There is also a home-corner area to encourage imaginary and role play. We have an arts and crafts area, with table and chairs in our kitchen for children to enjoy creative play and we use a tuff tray for messy play activities (also done outdoors weather permitting) the kitchen is also where children will enjoy meals during the day which are healthy and where they will also be able to enjoy doing some supervised cooking also. Any after school children may also use the kitchen table to complete homework. There are also rugs/mats for the children to sit on whilst they enjoy a range of different activities.

Our first language is English however some Welsh will be introduced to the children through singing, counting and reading stories. Children have no access to the upstairs of the property.