Hello

My name is Laura Hughes and I am an Ofsted Registered Childminder.

I live in the Tarring area of Worthing with my partner Sean, our daughter Courtney, who was born in November 2005 and our son William, who was born in April 2009. We have one elderly cat called Clio. We live in a 3-bedroom house with a fully enclosed back garden. Both inside and outside are bursting with toys and equipment which, I am regularly adding to, to create a stimulating and loving home-from-home environment!

I am registered to: "care for no more than 4 children from 1 year to under 8 years; of these, not more than 1 may be under 5 years, at any one time". I offer places for children from 6 weeks old until 10 years of age. Although, until my son is a year old I can only take a child who is over one.

Since leaving Sixth Form education and prior to becoming a Mummy, I trained and worked as a Paediatric Staff Nurse in a London teaching hospital for four years. I have been a Registered Childminder since January 2007 and am thoroughly enjoying my career choice.

I am a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA), and UKChildminders which, is a UK Internet-based support network. I am also a committee member of the Worthing Childminding Association and help to organise and run our weekly drop-in group Magic Minders.

At my last Ofsted inspection in June 2007 I was awarded a 'Good' grade.

For the children in my care I offer the following:

  • Full use of the ground floor of my home (excluding the kitchen for babies and young toddlers, for safety reasons).
  • A kitchen, for older children to practice their cooking skills under close supervision!
  • A quiet nap area, for younger children to rest/ sleep (in a travel cot or buggy, as parents choose!)
  • Use of a TV/Video/DVD/Wii and Playstation (rationed for quiet times, and with parents approval only!)
  • A fully enclosed back garden complete with outdoor toys, pretty flowers and herbs, and a small, but ever increasing vegetable plot to plant and grow our own produce!
Along with the equipment, toys and games my home provides, we aim to get out for some fresh air daily. Be it for walks to the park, on the beach, local woods or trips to local baby and toddler groups, or in the garden.

We regularly attend Magic Minders and events at local family centres and libraries. We like to make full use of all that the local area has to offer, including parks and gardens, playgrounds, duck ponds and soft indoor play areas.

Each month, I produce a newsletter to keep you informed with what we have all been up to, where we have been and other important information such as future dates for your diary!

At the end of each minded day I provide both written and verbal feedback individually to you, about your child, including all events throughout the day. You may also be lucky enough to be presented with a masterpiece created by your little one.