I am a Registered childminder and am a qualified level 3 Early Years Practitioner, with over 14 years experience working with 0-5 year olds. I have 3 children of my own, ages 12, 8 and 3 years old.

I provide a loving and caring home from home setting for children to explore and thrive in.

I am based in Tilehurst, after living and working in the east reading area. My older children still go to school in that area, and we use that area for lots of groups and outings throughout the week.

I have an open plan living/dinning room area, with a playroom for the children to play in, and a garden outside to enjoy. The garden has different ride on toys, climbing frame with slide and other activities to participate in daily with.

I am located within walking distance to local play parks which we visit regularly. 

I have regular meet ups with other childminders and visit different play groups, libraries, farms etc. 

I have a good network of childminders that I work alongside with regularly. This enables the children to build good friendships with a large group of children, of mixed ages, as well as with the other children in my care. 

We often do planned focused activies together, and have a few big trips out in a large group.

I believe that children learn best through play, and put this into practise daily. I encourage choice and child participation in what activities we do throughout the week. I plan around each child's interests and individual needs, and ensure i have resources to choose from which enhance the childs learning. 

I provide a wide range of different activites and resources, which cover all areas of the Eyfs to meet the needs of each individual child. 

I am a creative person who enjoys doing arts and craft activities with the children. 

I work closely with parents/carers to be able to provide the best possible care for their child and to meet their individual needs.

I ask parents to provide me with any information they have regarding their child's educational needs.

I carry out regular observations within my setting of the children to monitor their development, which could identify if a child requires additional support in certain areas.

If support it needs, I would gain permission from parents to seek further advice/help from qualified professionals. 

I will keep a folder of all the tracking documents, which will be shared with you if needed. 

Activities that are planned, are done following your child's next steps, which are taken from their tracking documents. 

Strategies will be based on each individual child's needs. By myself observing the child, and using information given by yourselves to help with the best strategies for your child. 

If a child needed extra support I would ask for any information that yourselves have for your child to help with support, and I would seek help from other professionals.

I would also look to take part in specialised training.

I complete monthly and termly tracking forms, which are shared with parents. Parents are also encouraged to send me anything that can be added to this.

Activities are planned so all children within the setting can take part.

Unfortunately my home isn't wheelchair friendly.

I will work with the parents to help prepare their child for a move to a new setting, and any relevant information on the child will be shared with the new setting. 

I ask parents to fill in a questionnaire, and use any relevant information to adapt my setting effectively. 

You can contact myself, Michaela Starrett via phone or email. 

I have a policy for feedback, such as compliments or complaints, which is shared with parents. I ask that parents come to me directly with any concerns they may have, so we can overcome any issues together.