St Merryn . Padstow . Cornwall
Mrs Rickie Smith
Childminder
Ofsted registered Early Years Childcare Provision
for children aged 9 months to 2 years
Childcare
Thank you for your consideration, we currently do not have any available spaces for new starters and the waiting list is at present full x
Thank you for visiting Trevorgus Childminding, I'm Rickie, a 43-year-old mother of two offering term-time childcare from my home in beautiful St Merryn, Cornwall.
I am an experienced former Primary School Teaching Assistant and Childcare Practitioner at the Watergate Bay Hotel's wonderful 'Kids Zone.' I am returning to Childminding September 2026 - as this is when my youngest is due to start secondary school!
I am currently offering Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, running from 8:30am until 3:30pm, during school term times.
Government funding (free childcare for working parents) is offered from the the start of the school term after your child turns nine months. For more information please visit:
> Free Childcare for Working Parents - When to apply
I care for a maximum of three children under the age of two in my home setting at a time, only one of whom may be under the age of one.
Prices
As an Ofsted registered childminder, I am able to offer provision for the government's funded 30 hours of free childcare for eligible working families.
I am also able to offer the 20% reduced Tax-Free Childcare rates.
To find out more, and check if your childcare costs could be covered, please visit the government website:
> Free Childcare for Working Parents
> Best Start in Life Website
Ethos
My ambitious and inclusive - nature and seasonally inspired - curriculum is informed by many pedagogical approaches: from empowering child-led Montessori independence and the encouragement of self-efficacy, through an enabling Curiosity Approach environment with lots of authentic, heuristic continuous provision, to explicit, holistic adult-led invitations to explore open-ended sensory play experiences. In-line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, I assess and plan flexibly with consideration to the characteristics of effective learning and the unique needs and interests of every child.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Communication and Language (CL)
Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
Physical Development (PD)
Literacy (L)
Mathematics (M)
Understanding the World (UW)
Expressive Arts and Design (EAD)
> Guidance for Parents
I have learnt, from my time working with children of all ages, that the most important resource in any setting is an educator who is present and connected. I am an active listener and prioritise empowering reciprocal relationships. I believe young children thrive in a relaxed and calm home environment; with small number ratios I aim to provide a safe, secure space supporting children's cognitive, social and emotional development. I am very passionate regarding SEND inclusion and follow the graduated response to best enable reaching every child’s full potential and alleviate barriers to learning.
"A high-quality early years education is vitally important. Children attend early years provision at a crucial developmental point in their lives. The education and care that they receive affects not only future educational attainment but also their future health and happiness."
Best start in life part 1, Ofsted 2022
References
Rachael Nash
St Dennis Primary School
Deputy Headteacher
" Rickie has a naturally nurturing, intuitive approach that aligns beautifully with EYFS principles. Even in a wholeโschool setting, she consistently created calm, secure and welcoming spaces where our youngest children felt safe, valued and understood. Her gentle communication style, warm relationships and thoughtful support helped children develop confidence and independence. Rickie’s creativity—such as planning inclusive, wellbeingโfocused activities like her gardening sessions—shows her deep understanding of children’s emotional and developmental needs. Any family choosing her childminding provision will be gaining someone who truly sees, listens to and cherishes every child."
(Feb 2026)
Michelle Rolfe
Watergate Bay Hotel
Childcare Manager KidsZone
“Rickie is a dedicated and knowledgeable person, with lots of experience in childcare. She has oodles of energy and there is never ending fun with her around. The children who join us in session when Rickie’s at Watergate Bay leave beaming ear to ear, wanting to stay for more”
(April 2026)
What will the day look like?
There will be lots of time spent outdoors with lots of active learning, critical and creative thinking activities – music-making and singing, mathematics, baking, role-play, expressive arts and design and physical development support.
What will your little one need?
Seasonally appropriate clothing: a warm coat, water-proof puddle suit and wellies for winter adventures - sun cream and sun hat for summertime exploring! You will need to bring a bag along containing a healthy packed lunch and snacks, milk and bottles or drinks bottle as appropriate, nappies and a change of clothes ๐
Training
> Ofsted Registration Certificate
> Enhanced check DBS Certificate
> Home Childcare Public Liability Insurance Policy
> Paediatric First Aid Training Certificate
> Safeguarding Children & Designated Safeguarding Leadโ
> Multi-Agency Child Protection and Safeguarding โ
> ICO Data Protection for Childmindersโ
> Food Hygiene Certificate
Childminding UK Training Certificates (Level 3)
> Childminding Training - Common Core Compliant
> Developing Children's Learning
> Understanding and Working with the EYFS
> Recording Children's Development
> Leading and Managing a Childminding Setting
> Teaching and Learning in the Early Years (Pedagogy)
> Engaging and Supporting Boys to Reach Full Potential
> Nutrition: Healthy Eating in the Early Years
> Nutrition: Special Diets and Fussy Eaters
> SEND Early Indicators
> Prevent Duty and Fundamental British Values
> Supporting Children with Grief and Loss
> Understanding Children's Behaviour
Department for Education Early Years
Child Development Training (Level 2)
> Understanding Child Development and the EYFS
> Brain Development and how Children Learn
> Supporting Children’s Personal, Social and Emotional Development
> Supporting Language Development in the Early Years
> Supporting Physical Development in the Early Years
> EYFS Mathematics
> Effective Curriculum and Assessment
โ
> IPHM Play Therapy Certification
> Special Education Needs and Disability (Level 2)
> SEN Code of Practice (Level 1)
> Understanding Children and Young
People's Mental Health (Level 2)
> Level 1 Food Safety Catering
> Allergen Awareness
> Basic Fire Safety Awareness
> Manual Handling
> Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
> Sexual Harassment in the workplace
> Basic GDPR Certificate
> Equality and Diversity Awareness
> Health and Safety at Work
> Slips, Trips & Falls in Education
...
Thank-you!
To find out a little bit more about me, my family and what we get up to - please visit the instagram account! I am a former home-educating mum, so some content is aimed at older children's learning. If you scroll right back, you will be able to view some of my previous childminding activities for the early years!
instagram.com/trevorgus.childminding
