Welcome to Baby Bears Child Care, an OFSTED registered, home-from-home childminding service located in the Barnes area of Sunderland.
ABOUT BABY BEARS
Baby Bears Child Care is a brand new child care provision which offers education and care in a home environment for children aged from birth onwards. Registered by OFSTED in February 2016, Helen opened her doors in March 2016 and as she provides care for small groups of children. This enables her to build and develop strong bonds with families and "bear cubs".
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Helen has over 6 years experience of working within an early years setting; beginning her career as an apprentice early years practitioner, achieving a Level 2 qualification in Children's Care, Learning and Development in March 2012, before going on to complete a Level 3 qualification in Early Learning and Child Care in July 2013. In July 2015, Helen graduated from the University of Sunderland with a Foundation Degree in Education and Care which she studied for part-time whilst continuing in her role as Acting Deputy Manager of a private nursery.
In addition to Helens Foundation Degree in Education and Care (Level 5), she also holds the following certificates:
Level 3 Paediatric First Aid.
Level 3 Safeguarding Children.
Level 2 Food Safety in Catering.
Level 2 Health and Safety in the Workplace.
Level 2 Key Skills in Information and Communication Technology.
Helen has also undergone training and hold certificates in the following areas:
Introduction to Childminding Practice.
Channel General Awareness (Awareness of Radicalisation).
Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
Awareness of Child Abuse and Neglect.
Domestic Violence.
Awareness of Female Genital Mutilation.
Early Communication and Language.
Emotional Regulation As a Key to Understanding Young Children's Behaviour.
Early Years Foundation Stage Observational Assessment and Planning for Childminders.
The Role of the Childminder as Safeguarding Lead.
Meeting the Needs of All Our Children - The Role of the SENCO.
(A file displaying all training undertaken is available for parents and families to view.)
PREMISES
Helen lives in a large, 2 storey, Victorian terraced house just outside the city centre. The entire ground floor of her home has been recently refurbished for the sole use of the children. The ground floor consists of:
Porch - with child-height coat hooks and shoe/slipper storage to encourage early independence, as well as information folders for parents.
Lounge - a cosy, home-from-home environment, with Gruffalo themed furniture and a television which is monitored.
Play Room - including a cosy reading corner with armchair and a huge range of books and ICT equipment, a role play area complete with kitchen, tool bench and doll's furniture, small world pay with car mat and transport toys as well as wooden dolls house, a sensory corner with mirrors, lights, sensory wall and treasure baskets as well as a large storage unit full of mixed resources which as rotated regularly. All toys, equipment and furniture are child height.
Kitchen - children have their own low-level cupboards of cooking equipment, cutlery and crockery to develop their independence.
Bathroom - children have their own downstairs bathroom so they needn't worry about managing the large staircase: with children's fitted toilet seat, potties, stepping stools and each child has their own coloured hand towel.
Outdoors - children have access to both the front yard and large back yard; both of which are safe and enclosed, where they have access to a wide range of resources. In addition to this we go on daily outings to the park or local area.
Registered for Tax Free Childcare.