Meet other childminders
Childminder stay-and-play sessions at local Children’s Centres offer opportunities to meet other childminders. They are supported by a qualified practitioner who can help you when you start working. Childminders can get resources from libraries and toy libraries and some free short workshops are organised at childminder stay and play sessions.
Childminder groups
23 Ramsay Walk, N1 2SX
Tuesday, 9.30 - 11.30
Ximena De Castro: The early year’s practitioner will be available to support the group to plan for the next session, support children’s interests and give practical advice on children’s learning and development.
Sandra Nicholson Childminding coordinator will be attending the group:
Moreland Children’s Centre
2 Gard Street, EC1V 8BX Tel: 020 7527 8144
Monday, 9.30 – 11.30
The early year’s practitioner will be available to support the group to plan for the next session, support children’s interests and giving practical advice on children’s learning and development.
Sandra Nicholson Childminding coordinator will be attending the group:
Little Angel Studio
132 Sebbon Street, N1 2EH
Friday, 9.30 – 11am
Ximena De Castro, the early year’s practitioner will be available to support the group to plan for the next session, support children’s interests and giving practical advice on children’s learning and development.
The Factory Children’s Centre
107 Matthias Road, N16 8NP Tel: 020 7060 7487
Monday, 10 – 12
Janine O’Brien, the early year’s practitioner will be available to support the group to plan for the next session, support children’s interests and giving practical advice on children’s learning and development.
Sandra Nicholson Childminding coordinator will be attending the group:
Ambler Children’s Centre
Blackstock Rd, N4 2DR (entrance via Romilly Rd) Tel: 020 7359 7628
Thursday, 9.30 – 11.30
Esther Flynn, the early year’s practitioner will be available to support the group to plan for the next session, support children’s interests and giving practical advice on children’s learning and development.
Jo Hunter Childminding coordinator will be attending the group:
Highbury Roundhouse Community Centre
71 Ronalds Rd, N5 1XB
(2 weekly sessions for childminders & parents)
Wednesday, 9.30 – 1.30
Thursday, 9.30 – 1.30
Carmel Zanre, the early year’s practitioner provides a stimulating environment, through well-planned activities that support young children’s learning and development.
Sandra Nicholson Childminding coordinator will be attending the group: 5 February 2020
Hornsey Road Children’s Centre
8 Tiltman Pl, Hornsey Road, N7 7EN Tel: 020 7527 2005
Thursday, 9.30 – 11.30
Janine O’Brien, the early year’s practitioner will be available to support the group to plan for the next session, support children’s interests and giving practical advice on children’s learning and development.
Jo Hunter Childminding coordinator will be attending the group:
Caxton House Community Centre
129 St. John’s Way, N19 3RQ Tel: 020 7263 3151
Celia Facey, is an experienced play worker, providing a stimulating environment, through well planned activities that support young children’s learning and development.
Jo Hunter Childminding coordinator will be attending the group:
St Johns
Holloway Walk, N19 3XU Tel: 07849 169765
(childminders & parents)
Tuesday, 9.30 – 1pm
Wednesday, 9.30 – 1pm
Joan Dankwah is an experienced play worker, provide a stimulating environment, through well planned activities that support young children’s learning and development.
Jo Hunter Childminding coordinator will be attending the group:
Whittington Park, Early Years Hub
Holloway Rd, N19 4RS Tel: 020 7263 6896
Wednesday 9.30 – 12noon
Samantha Wakelin the early year’s practitioner provides a stimulating environment, through well planned activities that support young children’s learning and development.
Jo Hunter Childminding coordinator will be attending the group:
Willow Children’s Centre
1a Holbrooke Court, N7 0BF Tel: 020 7527 1990
(term time only)
Tuesday, 10 – 12 noon
Sharon Henry, the early year’s practitioner will be available to support the group to plan for the next session, support children’s interests and giving practical advice on children’s learning and development.
Jo Hunter Childminding coordinator will be attending the group:
Partnership Working
We warmly encourage Islington childminders to work in partnership together with us. This supports the offer of high quality practice and provision in a home setting as part of Islington’s Bright Start services for parents and children. It can form part of your marketing strategy acting as an attractive selling point for parents who can be reassured that you are making the best use of the support on offer from the local authority. Information for parents on the local authority website encourages them to speak to their childminder about partnership working. You can participate in programmes such as Healthy Early Years London and the Register of Good practice.
Supporting documents are in 'Attachments'. For more information please contact Jo Hunter or Sandra Nicholson.
Register of Good Practice
To support your own professional development, early years practitioners and childminders are encouraged to visit settings or childminders listed on Islington's Register of Good Practice.
Islington childminders are also invited to attend termly forum meetings for regular updates, opportunities for networking and to share good practice.
Coronavirus Update
Good practice visits will not be possible during this pandemic however the settings and childminders listed are keen to share their areas of expertise via remote methods of communication. Please contact the setting/childminder directly to arrange a remote meeting/telephone appointment to hear more about the aspect of good practice that has been developed.
Promoting childminding as a childcare option and advertising
Islington Family Information Service, FIS, is a telephone and web-based information and advice service. Parents, carers and practitioners use the Islington online directory to find childminders or download the childminder vacancy list.
Islington childminders can advertise their services with the FIS including current and future vacancies. Speed minding sessions are organised by the FIS at local Children’s Centres where parents can meet childminders at an informal stay and play session. Parents can also visit regular childminder stay and play sessions at Children’s Centres to meet local childminders.
SEND Support in the Early Years
What to do if you think a child may have special educational needs
If you think a child in your care has special educational needs, you may want to speak to the Islington Early Years Area SENCO Team for information, guidance and support regarding planning your next steps. See the 'Triage Referral Process' page for details of how to contact the team and see 'SEND Support in the Early Years' for key documents. To find out what funding is available to support all Early Years practitioners - including childminders - to meet the needs of children with SEND in your care, see 'EY SEND Funding'.
SEND Support in the Early Years