About 
Strawberry Patch Childminding

Our Leadership

Katharine Bleakley

Owner and Childminder

Strawberry Patch Childminding is owned and operated by Katharine Bleakley; Kathy is a skilled and experienced childcare practitioner with years of experience in primary schools and professional nurseries, running a creche, and previous childminding practice.
 
Kathy brings experience and knowledge of the early years curriculum for excellence, additional needs experience and in-depth experience with the care of infants.

Trained well beyond the statutory requirements; Kathy holds an NNEB diploma in Nursery Nursing, a range of Child Protection qualifications and has recently completed all the required foundation training for the current standards for Childminding in Scotland.

Our Aims and Objectives

My goal is to provide a professional home-based childcare service which fulfils and supports a child's developmental needs from birth to leaving primary school.  To merge my professional skills and knowledge with my experience as a successful mother to provide an exceptional standard of care that I can be justifiably proud of.

 Care | Trust | Responsibility 

Childminding today is a regulated profession which relies upon the delivery and upkeep of high professional standards.  All Childcare practitioners are qualified to minimum standards, regularly inspected, maintain a high standard of records, are subject to PVG membership (Police checks) and carry Public Liability Insurance. 

Strawberry Patch Childminding complies with the required standards and further underpins the professional standards by achieving and maintaining SSSC Registration assuring fitness to practice.

Safety First

The Health and Safety of children is a key element of the training and inspection of Childminders and their premises.  Risk Assessments are undertaken and regularly reviewed.  The practice is registered with East Lothian Environmental Health; Food Hygiene and Paediatric First Aid Certification is maintained.  Fire Plans are lodged with the Fire Service, smoke/heat detectors exceed minimum requirements and fire drills will be maintained. 

Policies, procedures, certificates and records are available for inspection. 

Excellence in practice

Professional Childcare is a rewarding and enjoyable role and excellence can only be achieved with experience and maintained by acting upon lessons learned, self reflection and ongoing development.

Qualifications and accreditations

• NNEB - Nursery Nurse Examination Board Diploma (SVQ-3)
• Child Protection Level-1
• Child Protection Level-2
• Child Protection Foundation Steps 1 & 2
• Practical Paediatric and Emergency First Aid
• Food Hygiene Level-2
• SCMA Induction to Childminding
• Care Inspectorate Registration
• SSSC Registration

Progress & Feedback

Your child's progress and learning attainments are recorded in an individual learning journal marking events, successes and achievements throughout their time at Strawberry Patch.  Parental feedback is also recorded at 4 weeks then every 12 weeks.  

Learning through experiences

Continual Professional Development (CPD) is the foundation of maintaining practice to current standards, current legislation and best practice.  CPD is achieved through self-reflection, reading, participation in update seminars and refresh training.  CPD is supported by East Lothian Council, The Care Inspectorate and the Scottish Childminders Association (SCMA).

Local Childcare Information Links

East Lothian Council - Funded Childminder List:
https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/directory/10055/nursery_schools_and_classes 

East Lothian Childminding Group (Facebook):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/730814877098736

The Care Inspectorate - 'Find a Care Service':
https://www.careinspectorate.com/index.php/care-services

Scottish Childminders Association - 'Find a Childminder':
https://www.childminding.org/find-a-childminder

Registered  Childminder covering Wallyford & Musselburgh areas.  Year round childcare for ages 0 through 12.  Early years specialist.  
Approved Provider of Funded Early Learning & Childcare.  Tax-Free Childcare registered.  Registered with Free Milk & Healthy Snacks Scheme.

©Copyright. Strawberry Patch Childminding Services. 2022