The Setting

Meet The Team

Jennifer Schol

OFSTED GRADED OUTSTANDING

Setting Manager Jennifer has worked as a professional Registered Childminder since 2001. She has continued to remain Outstanding in her recent OFSTED inspection (2019). She has provided high quality childcare and education and her experience and qualifications reflect this. She has looked after many children, in some cases for long periods of time e.g. from a baby through to secondary school. The children she currently cares for range in age from 3 months to 11 years old. She is committed to the care, education and well-being of all the children she looks after, giving them and their parents stability and continuity of care in a safe environment. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys building her knowledge on DoTerra essential oils. She also is a practicing buddhist in the Kadampa tradition.

Darrin Schol

OFSTED GRADED GOOD

Registered Childminder Darrin, Jennifer’s husband, who came over to full time childminding at the end of 2017 has recently been graded a good by OFSTED for his first inspection (2019). A kid at heart, Darrin brings a lot of fun energy into the setting. The older children are magnetised to the excitement Darrin brings to their day. In his spare time, Darrin enjoys going archery and riding his motorbike.

LinkedIn

Jasmine Schol

OFSTED GRADED OUTSTANDING

Registered Childminder. Recently graded Outstanding for her first inspection (2019), Jennifer’s daughter, Jasmine has been a keyworker in a preschool and worked in nurseries and therefore despite only being in her early 20’s, has extensive knowledge and experience when working with children.. Caring for children and helping them grow and learn has always been a passion for Jasmine and even throughout her schooling, she would use any time off to volunteer for various nurseries and preschools as well as helping her mum out at any given chance. She has excellent experience that she has brought to the setting, has worked extensively with children with SEN and has excellent training. In her spare time, Jasmine enjoys visiting many animal sanctuaries, playing her guitar+ukulele, doing art, photography and spending time with her pets.

MICHAEL Schol

Registered Assistant Jennifer’s son works full time for the NHS, however he will often help out on his days off. Paediatric First Aid Course – Level 2 Award (2 days) Safeguarding Training

LinkedIn

Meet the Pets

Bailey

Bailey is our oldest dog and is around 11years old. He thinks hes a human baby!

Danlos

Danlos is a uromastyx lizard who lives with Bob. He is the shyest out of the lizards he lives with however he still likes to come out for cuddles (when we can find him).

Bob

Bob is a chuckwalla lizard who lives with Danlos. He is very friendly and loves lots of cuddles.

Forest

Forest is a lovely Pacman Frog. Hes still young so therefore is fairly small. He stays upstairs and is another one of Jasmine’s pets. Its a hit and miss whether you can see him or not as he likes to completely bury himself – which pacmans can sometimes do for weeks or months at a time!

Hopper

At less than 1cm, Hopper is a beautiful little Jumping spider. He stays upstairs in Jasmine’s room, however the children love it when Jasmine brings his enclosure down to see if they can find him!

Ben

Ben is our second oldest dog and was the runt of his litter, he is roughly 8years old. He is a very laid back dog and spends most of his day pottering around or sleeping.

Scarlet

Scarlet is a uromastyx lizard. She is very confident and loves lots of attention. Almost every second of the day is spent with her scrapping at the glass wanting to come out for cuddles.

Oz

Oz is a uromastyx lizard. He is a very shy and skittish boy who likes to sit and observe the children playing.

Wilbur

Wilbur is a beautiful Stripe knee tarantula. He is rarely seen as he likes to dig tunnels and bury himself! He also stays upstairs in Jasmines room.

Goldie

Goldie is one of the newest tarantulas Jasmine has. She is a very large, stunning Metallica tarantula with beautiful yellow blue and purple tones. She stays in Jasmines room.

Honey

Honey is roughly 7years old. She was left at a pet shop as she was an unwanted Christmas present. She is very docile and seems to be everyone’s favourite!

Bubble

Bubble is a Thomasi Uromastyx. He is also extremely confident for his small size. He lives with Squeak.

Cuba

Cuba is our beautiful Cuban Rock Iguana. Shes a huge girl, but super friendly. She knocks on the glass to her enclosure daily to let us know she wants out – and then she spends a few hours wandering in the front room. She truly is a gentle giant.

Fluffy

Fluffy is a new addition to Jasmines weird and wonderful pets. He is an Asian Forest Scorpion, and despite his mean looks, he is a very friendly little chap!

Edith

Edith is one of the smaller tarantulas Jasmine has. She is a Mexican Red Leg, and due to her size and gentle nature, some of the older children have enjoyed the experience of handling her. She stays in Jasmine’s room.

Suzie

Suzie is roughly 5years old. She was dumped at a pet shop as she was deemed ‘too much trouble’, however she is a very shy, sweet girl who often likes to find a quiet corner to settle.

Squeak

Squeak is a Thomasi Uromastyx. For a small boy he is one of the most confident lizards we have. He lives with Bubble.

Rusty

Rusty is Jasmines beautiful Crested Gecko.He stays upstairs and likes to come out in the evening/at night. During the day you will either find him sleeping amongst the flowers and leaves, or hiding completely out of sight!

Nancy

Nancy is a stunning Curly Haired tarantula. Shes a favourite amongst the children due to how ‘furry’ she is. She is out most of the time and therefore visible when the children want to go upstairs and have a look. She stays in Jasmines room.

Bryce

Bryce is a Brazilian Black tarantula who lives upstairs in Jasmine’s room. He is still a tiny baby but is very friendly.

A Typical Day

During term time, we take children to school. Under 5’s are taken out and about in the community each morning. They will have a circle time, visit groups, go to the park, library, have pre-planned activities in line with a topic, engage in cooking, art and craft activities etc. In the afternoon after school pick up is a free play time with many resources. Drawing/writing area is always available at the table and school aged children are encouraged to make a start with their homework and are fully supported with this. The children also have games, art and craft activities and ICT resources. The setting has free-flow indoor and outdoor space. Holiday time, is a lot of fun. We choose outings and activities for younger ones by observing their interests. Older children tell us what they would like to do or write down their wish lists. Examples of activities in the holidays are: bowling, reading maze challenge, cinema, castles, beach, museums, kidspace, sanctuaries, utilise many parks which offer different things, forests, library shows, art and craft activities etc. We also listen to parents. For some parents their child has not had the opportunity of visiting a museum, or beach. We will then make sure this is an experience their child has the opportunity of taking part in.

All children from a young age have ‘an assigned job’ as well as other jobs they can help out with. Assigned jobs are something they are in charge of… i.e. Opening the front gate. Each child can adopt an animal to look after, if they wish and help to prepare/give their food. A child is in charge of putting the water bottles out in the morning and afternoon on the table, where each child’s place is. Look after their own garden area at the allotment. Do or make a start on their homework. Other jobs are: laying the table (putting out the placemats, choosing the knives and forks and chopsticks, sometimes putting flowers on the table), tidying up the toys before meal times, bringing their plates out to the kitchen when they have finished a meal, getting their coat and shoes from their lockers and putting them on (or having a go).

Activities

Here at Little Poppets we ensure that we have a wide variety of activities to suit every child’s interests. All activities encompass the 7 areas of learning, and are either adult-led or child initiated play. We have a range of construction toys, role-play, small world, arts and crafts, messy play, outdoor play etc. We also take the children out in the community every morning whether its into town, to local parks, to forests, to our local sanctuary and more.

Sample Menu

We provide only vegan food at our setting (children learn to be kind, caring and compassionate towards animals and all living beings and we extend this attitude into the food we eat). Many parents have the concern that their child won’t be getting all the nutrients etc that they need through vegan food. Although we know we provide everything a child could possibly need; to set aside these concerns, we have recently worked with an incredible nutritionist who has helped us put together an amazing 3 week rolling menu that will fulfil every child’s dietary needs. We provide 3 meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner), snacks, puddings and drinks. Please see attached our 3 week rolling menu, our baby food menu, and a letter from the nutritionist we worked alongside with all her qualifications.

PLEASE NOTE: we are aware of allergens in foods and this information is up on display in reception. We welcome children who may have allergies or have certain diets. Please do discuss with us at interview.

Click to see Menu

Click to see Baby Recipes

Click to view letter of confirmation