Play Area

I have many play and learning activities to suit all ages and stages of development including construction (ie magnets, lego etc) small world toys, role play, tent & tunnel, puzzles, board games, lots and lots of arts and craft materials, dressing up clothes, dolls, musical instruments, junk modelling, playdough etc.

Teddy Bears

I have a large range of reading books covering all ages cared for and we regularly (fortnightly) visit the library. I also have a summerhouse housing lots of outdoor toys like spacehoppers, ride on motorbike (with moving screen), play kitchen, numerous garden games, enough watering cans for the whole neighbourhood.

Gardening  Toys

The younger children have access to toys appropriate to their age and stage of development, ie shape sorters (both bought and home made), sensory games/books and lots of one-to-one attention.  

Musical Toys

To encourage child-initiated play, the majority of activities are easily accessible by the children and are, therefore, regularly risk assessed.

The children are encouraged to choose for themselves and put toys/books away when finished with or if they want to play with something else.

Welcome to my Website

My name is Michelle and I am an Ofsted registered childminder based in Benton, North Tyneside. I am committed to providing a fun, friendly and safe environment for the children in my care. I endeavour to provide children with stimulating learning opportunities that reflect their age and stage of development through play and every day experiences. I understand that each child is an individual and treat them with care, empathy and respect. I provide a nutritious and balanced diet, encouraging the children to make healthy food choices.

I believe in working in partnership with parents; welcoming ideas and encouraging parents to provide me with comments and suggestions in their child’s contact books or when they have time to talk. I run my setting professionally, attending training opportunities, respecting confidentiality, keeping organised records in accordance with current guidelines. I have clear policies and procedures. I am committed to providing a reliable service that parents can depend on and in which they can place their confidence.

I accept the 2-3-4 years of age 15 and 30 hours council/government funding.

I received an overall grade of ‘Outstanding’ at my Ofsted inspection on the 15th of November 2017. Click here to visit the Ofsted website and view my full report.

About Me

I am married to Ray, and we have a son called John and daughter called Georgia. Ray is a self-employed Independent Financial Adviser, John works in Telecoms and Georgia has a master’s in Clinical Biochemistry and is working for the NHS at the RVI. All my family fully supports me in my child-minding business and have current CRB/DBS checks.

We have lived in Benton all our lives and enjoy living here. Our home is within walking distance of the HMRC, Library, Metro, Parks, Playgroups, Primary schools, Quorum/Balliol business parks and the Shops.

I currently assist in running of a Friday morning mothers & toddlers’ group at St Bartholomew’s church, Benton with other local child-minders, this has been running for over 10 years now, we organise arts and crafts, play games and singing for the children.

If I sound like someone you would like to care for your child, then please call or email me and arrange to come along to meet me and have a look around our home and get to know us better. I am looking forward to meeting you and your family.

 

Parent Reviews

 

A Sample of References and Thanks I have recieved:

Parent Review 1

By a parent

Michelle has looked after our 2 girls since they were both 9 months old, and have always loved being looked after by Michelle.

The girls have grown and developed mentally and socially so well at Michelle's. In all Michelle has been a great childminder to our 2 girls and its obvious the girls think so to.

Parent Review 2

By a parent

Michelle What a wonderful woman you are!!

You have been such a big part of Jack's life (and ours) for the last 2 years. We cannot thank-you enough for everything you have done to give him such a fantastic start.

You treated him like family and that his how we will view you -today, tomorrow and always.

Parent Review 3

By a parent

Here's just a quick note to say a huge thank you for taking care of our daughter.You have been very professional, caring, supportive and educational child minder.

Our child talks of you with great affection and even says that she lives at Michelle's house.

Parent Review 4

By a parent

Michelle is wonderful in childcare, She is approachable, adaptable and flexible.

It was very helpful of her to adapt to our timmings as both of us are doctors in busy acute specialties.

Our son had a great time with her. He was always happy with her.

She understands the needs of our child and is always happy to help, she would regularly take them out for outings to parks and playgrounds.

My son developed good support with other children in Michelle's childcare and also with her children John & Georgia. He seemed to have picked up skills and milestones very well during Michelle's care. We will defiantly recommend her as a good childminder to our friends in the future.

Parent Review 5

By a parent

Michelle cared for our son 3 days a week. We highly recommend Michelle.

As every parent we were extremely apprehensive about leaving our son with somebody else, but as soon as we visited Michelle's home for the first time, we knew that she was the perfect person for the job.

Michelle's house is always clean and tidy and she has a wide range of toys and games situated in a lovely play space

There is no doubt that we were extremely lucky to find a child-minder who takes such a professional approach to her work. Michelle is very kind and approachable and a sensitive person and we cannot recommend her highly enough.

Please do not hesitate to contact us thru her if you would like any more information.

Parent Review 6

By a parent

Michelle, I wanted to tell you how much you have made a difference in both mine and daughters' life since you have been looking after her.You have made it very easy for me to leave her whilst at Uni, she took to you so quickly and has grown so close to you.

You have been great support to me & encouraged me a lot thru the continuing terrible 2's.

I feel she has learnt so much whilst with you, she is confident with her counting and is always wanting to write her name, it is obvious to me how much you have encouraged her and this has made her the confident outgoing little girl she is. I'm am also so happy knowing that she has had such a good start on her run up to starting reception this September.

You'll always be a big part of her life and I thank you for the last few years.

Due to data protection requirements names and address have been removed, However I would be happy to show you the many, thank you cards and letters I have received, at my setting.

Michelle Carpenter