Business Details
25 Years
experience
Outstanding Childminding Services in Colchester
Established in 2001, Kimskids has provided exceptional childcare in Colchester for over two decades. Our Ofsted-rated Outstanding service combines a family-style environment with a child-centred approach to learning, fostering critical thinking, empathy, and self-confidence through play and exploration. With a first-class degree in Child Psychology and numerous specialist qualifications including SENCO, Elklan speech and language support, and early years mental health awareness, we deliver tailored care that treats each child as an individual.Our sustainable practices include eco-friendly reusable nappies and cargo bike transportation, while our partnerships with parents ensure full support for every child's development. Recognised with the Essex Early Years Education Award in 2015, we maintain rigorous safety standards through regular DBS checks, paediatric first aid certification, and biennial safeguarding training.
Services
Childminding Services
Outdoor Learning Activities
Eco-Friendly Childcare
Storytelling Sessions
Parent Partnerships
Messy Play
Sensory Play
Life Skills Development
Seasonal Exploration
Transport Services
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of experience in early years education
- Our team holds specialist qualifications in child psychology and SEN support
- We maintain Ofsted Outstanding rating across four consecutive inspections
- Our eco-friendly practices include reusable nappies and sustainable transport
- We provide individualised care through small group settings
Associations and certifications
- Curiosity Approach
- Elklan
What people say
Outstanding Ofsted rating
Individual respect and care
Children develop life skills
Warm, friendly environment
Excellent communication support
Services
Childminding
Our home-based childcare service provides a nurturing environment for children aged 0-12 years. Following the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, we combine structured learning with free play, offering individualised care that supports each child's unique development through daily routines and creative activities.
Outdoor Learning
Daily outdoor activities include visits to local parks, museums, and cultural venues. Children explore nature through our mud kitchen, sensory garden, and seasonal excursions. These experiences develop physical skills, environmental awareness, and social interaction in authentic settings that extend learning beyond the home environment.
Special Educational Needs Support
With Level 3 SENCO and Elklan qualifications, we provide tailored support for children with speech and language needs. Our communication-friendly environment includes individualised strategies for children with autism spectrum disorder and English as an additional language, ensuring all children receive appropriate developmental support.
Eco-Friendly Childcare
We implement environmentally conscious practices through reusable nappies, cargo bike transportation, and waste reduction initiatives. Our sustainability focus teaches children about environmental responsibility while reducing our ecological footprint, with parents receiving regular updates through our online Babysdays system.
Parent Partnerships
We maintain close collaboration with families through daily communication, shared online planning, and regular progress updates. Our approach includes parent testimonials, activity sharing, and flexible scheduling to ensure children receive consistent support across home and childcare environments.
People
Kim Barnetson
Childminder
Registered Childminder since 2001 with a first-class degree in Child Psychology. Holds Level 3 SENCO and Elklan qualifications, with specialist training in early years mental health and safeguarding. Maintains Ofsted Outstanding rating across four consecutive inspections.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We care for children from birth to 12 years, with flexible arrangements for siblings and different age groups.
Are meals included in the fees?
Yes, all meals and snacks are included in the hourly rate, with homemade baby food available on request.
How do you support children's learning?
We use the Curiosity Approach and Pikler principles, focusing on play-based learning with open-ended resources and outdoor exploration.
What safety measures do you have in place?
All staff hold current DBS checks, paediatric first aid, and safeguarding qualifications. Our home environment meets Ofsted's stringent safety standards.
How do you communicate with parents?
We use the Babysdays online system for daily updates, photos, and planning, with regular face-to-face communication and progress sharing.
What sustainability practices do you implement?
We use reusable nappies, cargo bikes for transport, and focus on reducing waste through eco-conscious daily practices and resource management.
