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.
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 rats.
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
Meet the Pets
Bailey
Bailey is our oldest dog and is around 10years old. He thinks hes a human baby!
Bryce
Bryce is a Brazilian Black tarantula who lives upstairs in the pet room. He is still a tiny baby but is very friendly.
Bob
Bob is a chuckwalla lizard who lives with Oz and Paul. He is very friendly and loves lots of cuddles.
Danlos
Danlos is a uromastyx lizard who lives with Scarlet and Marty. 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).
Oz
Oz is a uromastyx lizard. He is a very shy and skittish boy who lives with Bob and Paul
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.
Jerry
The rats all live upstairs in the pet room. All of them have been adopted.
Scarlet
Scarlet is a uromastyx lizard who lives with Marty and Danlos. 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.
Marty
Marty is a uromastyx lizard who lives with Danlos and Scarlet. He is very calm and often likes to come out of his hiding spot to observe the children playing.
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!
Jasper
The rats all live upstairs in the pet room. All of them have been adopted.
Paul
Paul is a uromastyx lizard who lives with Bob and Oz. Paul was an unwanted lizard who spent many years in a shop due to being ‘unsellable’. His previous owner hadn’t cared for him properly leaving him with white scabs all over his body. This led to noone wanting him due to not being ‘perfect’.
Bubble
Bubble is a Thomasi Uromastyx. He is also extremely confident for his small size. He lives with Squeak and George.
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.
Tom
The rats all live upstairs in the pet room. All of them have been adopted.
Siri
Siri is our beautiful syrian hamster. She is very friendly and sleeps all day. She was adopted from Pets at Home adoption section as her previous owners no longer wanted her.
Squeak
Squeak is a Thomasi Uromastyx. For a small boy he is one of the most confident lizards we have. He lives with Bubble and George.
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.