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Catherine Cullinane


I aim to create a fun, happy, caring and stimulating setting.   A ‘home from home’ environment where children receive the attention and encouragement needed for their learning and development in order to reach their full potential. 

I have a playroom/dining room with toys, games,  arts & crafts etc and a lounge for quiet time eg books, TV, puzzles etc.  My garden is easily accessible for outdoor play and can be used all year round.  I have a number of outdoor toys eg ride on vehicles, bats & balls.  There is also an area for the children to grow flowers/vegetables in the garden. 

We have pets so the children will have the opportunity of both mixing with animals and helping with their care (should they wish). 

Children will be involved in many activities including family mealtimes, cooking, shopping, and visiting the park; where they will be able to play, learn and develop.  I understand and appreciate that you, as parents, are the most important people in your child’s life and that you want the best for them while in my care.  I will therefore discuss with you all aspects of your child’s care.

Who to contact

Contact Name
Catherine Cullinane - Pumpkin's Childcare
Contact Position
Childminder
Telephone
07548152255
E-mail
c.cullinane@outlook.com

Where to go

Address
Sittingbourne
Kent
Postcode
ME10

When is it on?

When is childcare available
Open All Year
Carescheme Age Range:
0 year(s), 3 month(s) to 10 year(s), 11 month(s)
Opening Times
Opening Times
DayOpening TimeClosing Time
Monday 07.30 17.30
Tuesday 07.30 17.30
Wednesday 07.30 17.30
Thursday 07.30 17.30

Other Details

Table of costs
Table of costs
AmountCost Type
£5 Per hour
£6 Before School
£6.50/£12.50 After School
ECD Type
Childminder
Offers pickups
Yes
Schools covered
Grove Park Primary School
Cost(s)
Cost details
Please contact me to discuss costs in greater detail eg all day care or holiday club.
3-4 Year Old Funding?
Yes
2 Year Old Funding?
Yes
Immediate vacancies?
No
Contact Provider for Vacancy Details?
Yes
Vacancy Information Last updated Date
22/02/2023
Facilities
Music, Cookery, Toys/dolls, Dressing Up, Outdoor Activities, Pets, Trike, Tv/video/dvd, Play House, Parks/playgrounds, Water Play, Quiet Room, Games / Puzzles, Play Room, Visits and Outings, Garden, Walks, Sandpit, Arts And Crafts, Scooter, Reading, Refreshments, Books, Internet Connection, Songs, Stories
Notes

I have completed and passed the ‘Preparing to work in home based childcare’ Cache Level 3 qualification and a paediatric first aid course.  I also have a Level 3 in Childcare & Early Learning certificate (NCC), Level 2 in Food Safety & Hygiene for Early Years Settings and have completed courses in Special Needs and Safeguarding Children.  I have completed medical and police checks.  I am registered to offer the Early Year sessions.

My daughter is registered as an assistant at Pumpkin’s Childcare.  She has a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification and has also completed a Special Needs course.  She is DBS registered and has a valid paediatric first aid certificate.  

Languages Spoken:
English
Wheelchair Access
No

Ofsted Information

Ofsted URN
EY559845
Link to latest ofsted inspection report 

30 Hours Extended Entitlement

Registered to provide up to 30 hours entitlement
Yes
30 Hours Partner Details (These are details of any other childcare provider(s) that this provider will work with to offer the 30 hours entitlement)

I am able to offer the Free Early Education for 2 year olds, the 15hours universal entitlement and the 15hours extended entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds.  This can be Monday to Thursday wihin my normal opening times during term time.

Service status

Status
Open

Local Offer

Special Needs Support

How does the setting identify children with additional needs or SEND? 

On joining our setting you will be asked to complete an ‘All about me’ form regarding your child; this gives us information about your child’s current development, likes, dislikes and also the opportunity to share any other relevant information regarding their care or home life.  In addition to the statutory Progress check when your child is 2, we regularly assess your child in line with a document called Development Matters.  You will receive written feedback on our assessments and any concerns will be discussed.  If necessary we will agree on a targeted plan to encourage your child’s development. 

How will I be informed / consulted about the ways in which my child is being supported? 

There are several ways in which we inform you of your child’s development/support –

                Daily verbal communication

                Daily written information (daily diary)

                Regular written assessments (in addition to statutory assessments)

                Parental meetings throughout the year

                Detailed learning journals including photos and observations

                Collaboration on any extra support required  i:e a targeted plan

How will the setting adapt the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum for my child's needs? 

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is an educational framework which we use to plan for your child’s development.  We observe, assess and plan in 3 prime areas (Communication & Language, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development) and 4 specific areas (Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, Expressive arts and design) Some examples of how the setting may adapt to help your child are – providing ‘a language rich’ environment tailored to the needs of the child, working in line with specialist therapists advice, targeted small group activities, providing for a range of dietary requirements.

What teaching strategies does the setting use for children with additional needs or learning difficulties? 

As a childminder I am able to tailor activities to ensure your child gets the most benefit from both guided play and free play scenarios.  We take into account a child’s favourite toys and activities when do our planning.

What additional support does the setting provide for children with additional needs or SEND? 

If having discussed and implemented a targeted plan your child makes insufficient progress, we would discuss the need to refer to an outside agency i:e speech and language therapist.  If they receive this outside help we will follow their advice with a personalised plan.  Your consent would be required for us to make any referral on your behalf i:e through the Local Inclusion Team (LIFT).  If necessary we would attend any training on how to deal with medical issues or awareness courses.

How will the setting monitor my child's progress and how will I be involved in this? 

I have a close relationship with parents with constant two way communication regarding the children in my care. This is important for meeting the needs of all children and helping with their care and development. As well as the daily communication, written assessments will be made on your child’s development several times a year. You will be given a copy of these, invited to see your child’s learning journal and have the opportunity to discuss any concerns.  We aim to complete the Progress check at 2 before the health visitor development check, so that any concerns may be raised with them.

How do you ensure children with additional needs or SEND can be included in the same activities as other children, including trips? 

We are committed to an inclusive practice that enables all children to be included equally in activities.  Health and safety risk assessments are continually reassessed to take into the account all the children involved in a particular activity/outing.

How accessible is the building for children with mobility difficulties / wheelchair users? 

There is ample parking in our street and access to the house is by a small step.  Unfortunately although there would be access for a wheelchair, there is not a lot of space for movement once inside the setting.  I have a downstairs toilet.

How will you support my child's transition to a new setting or school? 

On transition to a new school or setting you will be given your child’s learning journal and final written assessment to pass on.  When starting school we do activities to familiarise the child with the new school eg colouring in uniform. If attending our local school they will also be used to attending while on the school runs, dressing up in the uniform and will have a teacher visit to the setting prior to starting.

How does the setting assess the overall effectiveness of its SEN provision and how can parents / carers take part in this evaluation? 

We assess our effectiveness by having regular staff meetings, parental questionnaires, policy reviews.  We value and appreciate any parental feedback.

Who should I contact if I am considering registering for a place at the setting? 

If you would like to consider a place at our setting, please contact me.  We can then arrange a visit to the setting for you to be able to see our environment and to ask any further questions.  If you decide to take up a place we will then arrange for all necessary paperwork to be completed and a settling in session for your child before the official start date.

What arrangements does the setting have for feedback from parents / carers, including compliments and complaints? 

We welcome feedback from parents either verbally or in writing.  Parental questionnaires are regularly issued for feedback and we have a complaint policy procedure in place should anyone have a complaint.

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