Helen Ferguson

Hi, my name is Helen and I am an Ofsted and PACEY (NCMA) Registered Childminder. in my recent OFSTED report I have gained  an outstanding in all areas of Learning and Development and overall good.

I live in Old Ollerton. I work alone which enables me to be more flexible with routines and activities. I am able to offer a caring homely environment for children to settle in with a spacious property set back off the road with ample parking and a large front, side and rear gardens to learn and play.

The children have free access to the resources in my home, I set up inviting activities for the children to investigate and explore. Some of these are focused activities where a specific outcome is encouraged, although spontaneity and tangents are always welcomed. Various activities are for the children to access independently where adult intervention is only needed to assist or extend.

Indoor activities include constructional & messy play, cooking, arts and crafts, lots of fun toys and educational toys. We also enjoy both indoor & outdoor role play, dressing up, imaginative  and creativity play. Literacy and numeracy time, home library, role play, learn through play child lead interests. Outdoor we enjoy football, 1 hole 'pitch n put', tennis, rideables, balance and climbing and many more. For the younger ones there is a cornered off section where we can have soft play ball pool, sand & water smaller ride- ons etc. A very important part of a child's health and well being is being able to have regular exercise and fresh air so this is ideal.

Having been a working mum I understand the stresses and pressures balancing work & home life. Using childcare providers is essential to working parents and I aim to provide an excellent service that meets parents needs whilst ensuring a safe, caring, loving and enjoyable learning environment for the children.

I have many indoor and outdoor activities and I am fully equipt for all ages. I take the children out when possible to toddler groups, stay and plays, Rufford Park, Sherwood Pines, Sherwood Forest, Sherwood Steam Railway, Vicar Water, libraries in Ollerton, Edwinstowe, worksop and Retford and also special trips for example White Post Farm, Wheelgate Park, Willow Tree Farm, Soft Play Areas. This will all be only with the parent/carers permission and with lots of notice. I also take children to Caterpillar music, dance, swimming, local toddler groups etc. All this allows the children to access the community and the surrounding areas. Going out to explore the different environments help to develop lots of different skills such as social skills, fine and gross motor skills as well as broadly covering the seven areas of learning. I follow the EYFS and my curriculum is 0 - 5 matters

I like to work closely with you and I love to share your child’s day and learning with you through a daily diary and messages and photos through WhatsApp, also discussion at the end of the day. Regular observations inform my planning to meet the ever changing and developing needs of your child(ren).

I offer healthy snacks and drinks which are provided in the morning and afternoon and I also provide breakfast, lunch and dinner which can be included within the fee. For special diets I can cater for an additional cost or alternatively please feel free to provide your own food.

As a retired teacher I have over 30 years experience working with children of a variety of ages and abilities gaining many ‘Good and Outstanding’ Ofsted inspections. I have a vast experience looking after the  health and well-being of children with different needs; Dyslexia, Dispraxia, ADD, ADHD, Deaf, Partially Sighted, Downs Syndrome, Attachment Disorder, Autistic Spectrum and many more. I am a qualified first aider. I have attended many courses throughout my career and gained extra qualifications in Safeguarding, Food and Hygiene, Talking Matters, Health and Safety and Fires Safety. Safe Guarding.

I offer drop off’s and pick up’s to Walesby, Ollerton, Tuxford and Edwinstowe, depending on the day and times required. References are available on request. Competitive rates.