Are you keen on becoming a childminder but don't know where to start?

Do you feel a bit stuck at the moment and need a bit of a boost?

Or do you just have a burning question?

Then I am here to help! Sharing advice, tips, ideas and boosting your motivation to help you reach your goal. Leading you in the right direction to access high quality training, further support tools and using my own professional knowledge to help you prepare for your OFSTED inspection or set up as an OFSTED registered childminder.

Please note - this is only for those who wish to register with OFSTED directly and not an agency.

My name is Caitlin and I am the childminder and owner of The Flower Cottage. I have 10 years experience working and studying in the childcare sector with my expertise being specifically in the Early Years field. I started my journey being a full time student, to getting my first job as a Level 3 Nursery Nurse at 17 years old. I continued evening studies to graduate in my higher education, teaching abroad and working my way up to the management team fulfilling the Deputy Manager role, then finally proceeding on to opening my own successful OFSTED Outstanding childcare setting.

After 3 years of running a business, achieving OFSTED Outstanding and becoming a multi-award winning setting, I wanted to give back by supporting others with my own professional knowledge and general advice as childminding can often become very lonely and overwhelming very quickly.

General enquiries - Please allow up to 48 hours for a response. All advice enquiries are free of charge and I am happy to direct you to any training opportunities or consultancy agencies that host in-person training or setting visits.

Mentoring - These one to one sessions will take place on an evening between the hours of 6pm - 8pm Monday to Friday, and adhoc Sundays; VIA phone call or video call, with a standard fixed price of £20 per session. Standard sessions are for 1 hour and can be extended to a maximum of 2 hours (£40) should you need it. They can be weekly or two weekly. 

Availability - I have 3 mentoring spaces currently available, depending on the needs of the first clients, there may be more available. All availability will be posted on my website.

Please note - You are not in a contract and can stop these sessions at any time when you feel as though you are confident to continue your role independently. 

The advice and information I give for both the mentoring and answering of general enquiries, is based on what I do at The Flower Cottage and how I successfully operate my own business. I do not offer training or in-person visits but as stated above, I am happy to direct you to consultancy agencies and trusted training providers or recommended courses. I can also confirm I am fully insured under the 'Training and Education Policy' with Morton Michel alongside my general Public Liability Insurance for childminding.

Please use the form below for general enquiries or mentoring sessions.

Thank you!