My Setting

My name is Katharine Bowdidge and I have been looking after children since my son was little. He's now at University! I live with my husband, son and our collie dog Hobbes :)

Mindful Childminding is a home-from-home setting in a small Close, on the edge of woodland in the Pondtail area of Fleet.

I have been caring for children since 2004 when my son was born. I trained as a Relax Kids Coach in 2010, mainly running children's relaxation classes with infant school aged children. I have also completed training in 'Mindfulness for Educators'. In 2012 I started working part-time as a nursery assistant at a local Nursery and looked after babies, toddlers and pre-school aged children. In 2013 I also took on an after-school nanny position with a family in Church Crookham, looking after their son and daughter who were 10 and 12 respectively at the time. My son was with a childminder for a time when he was younger, so I have experience of childcare both as a parent and as a carer, so I am able to empathise with parent's worries or concerns. 

I love all things 'Arts & Crafts', especially incorporating nature into our projects, so I'll always have craft activities available for the children and I enjoy helping them create their masterpieces!

I have a small back garden with a decked area, and astro-turf lawn, where the children can play. We are also so lucky to have the canal, woods, heathland and pond right on our doorstep! Perfect for 'Expotitions'! (as Winnie the Pooh would say). There are also several parks and soft-play areas nearby.

As we are lucky enough to live on the edge of Fleet, we can walk through the woods and along the canal to get to and from school, feeding the ducks and playing in the 'dens' along the woodland path :)

After school care:

I will be able to collect children from, Fleet Infants and Velmead Junior schools. My son previously attended these schools, so I know the schools well and have good relationships with the staff there already. 

We do not use video games in the Setting at all. We have lots of toys out and lots of colouring and crafty bits!

After school, the children will be able to have a healthy snack and drink, do arts and crafts and have a play. There is space for them to do their homework if they have any or they can do puzzles and play games. They are allowed to watch a little TV if they wish.

We have lots of fun on Inset Days at places like Alice Holt, Wellington Country Park, Chobham Adventure Farm and other interesting places to explore.

Early Years care:

I am not currently offering Pre-school childcare.

I am Ofsted registered and hold Public Liability Insurance, both my home and car insurance cover me for childminding. I hold DBS certificates for myself, my husband and our son. I am registered with the Food Standards Agency. I have a full clean driving licence and a 7 seater car.

My Qualifications:

Degree in Business Psychology and Marketing

Cache Level 3 Homebased Childcare

Level 3 Child Protection Safeguarding Training

Paediatric First Aid

Mindfulness for Teachers

Relax Kids Teacher

I am a member of Pacey (Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years)

I undertake Continuous Professional Development and have taken part in various training/course including - Effective Practice, Sing & Sign, Behaviour and Self Regulation, Irresistible Learning, E-Safety - Online safety/cyber bullying, Parenting Teenagers (much of which was applicable/adaptable to younger children too). I was offered a place on the Post Grad Early Years Teacher Status course at Reading University, but had to defer it due to a change in personal circumstances. This is something I hope to take up again in the future.