Welcome to Nikkis Nippers Childcare Services

Nikkis Nippers is an Ofsted rated Outstanding home-based childcare setting in Chipping Sodbury, with spaces for children from 6 months to 11 years old.

Founded and run by childminders Nikki and Pete Farrell the setting provides a home from home environment. Our low adult-child ratios mean each child is given the time, nurturing and encouragement they need to thrive and develop at their own pace.

Utilising a large outdoor space and natural, open ended resources children are encouraged to develop their social skills, become curious about the world and self-motivated intrinsic learners. Play is at the heart of everything we do and is the most important thing a child can do during their early, formative years.

About our childminding setting

The Nippers Ethos is to provide an environment where children learn through play using open ended natural resources and spend their day in the natural world.

Our motivation to provide wondrous opportunities for children has led us to ‘The Curiosity Approach Accreditation’ where we have found other professionals who also want to bring curiosity, awe and wonder into early childhood.

So when you come to visit our setting and you don’t see the plastic toys and brightly coloured walls you need to see it as we do - ‘Through the eyes of a child’ - and see the curious wonderful environment we provide for children to learn.

“The child has a different relationship to her environment from ours....... the child absorbs it. The things she sees are not just remembered; they form part of her soul.”

Maria Montesorri.

Nikki Farrell - Lead Childminder and Setting Senco

With over 20 years experience as an Early Years Educator Nikki is the heart and soul of Nikkis Nippers. Nikki is passionate about children 'learning through play" and "leading their own play" and is the driving force behind our settings ethos of open-ended, natural resources.

When she is not nurturing the children Nikki can be found reading and learning about the latest ideas on Children's Development and how we can improve and adapt our setting to better serve the children we look after.

Nikki is also the Setting Senco (Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator) and has attended numerous training events run by the Local Authority to ensure that our setting meets the needs of all children and their families.

Ofsted Inspection

Below you'll find a few quotes from our latest 'Outstanding' Ofsted Inspection :

Children behave extremely well, and play and learn very happily together. The childminder sets clear boundaries and takes every opportunity to praise positive behaviour. Children are extremely confident and have very high self-esteem.
The childminder knows the children extremely well and places a very strong focus on their individual needs. He uses his skills exceptionally well to observe, assess and plan for the next steps in children's progress. Children continuously develop skills through imaginative and challenging activities, and this contributes to the excellent progress which they make.
The childminder interacts and communicates exceptionally well with the children. He helps develop and extend children's vocabulary, thinking and communication skills.
Children settle very quickly, are happy and enjoy their time at the setting.

A Day at Nippers

Whilst no 2 days are ever the same at Nikkis Nippers the images below show some of the activities the children can access :

Healthy Eating

We are passionate about healthy food and inspiring children to make the right choices for a healthy lifestyle. All meals and snacks served at Nippers are home made, freshly prepared and use local ingredients wherever possible. Children are encouraged to think about their food - where it comes from, why is it good (or bad) for us - and get involved in preparing and serving meals as often as possible.

Once a week we visit the local fruit and veg shop in Chipping Sodbury and the children choose the fruit that they would like for their snacks. We use an 'open snack bar' where children can select their own snacks from a variety of fruits, vegetables and savoury items (such as bread sticks / oat cakes). Allowing children to choose for themselves builds their confidence and encourages them to think about portion sizes and sharing with their friends.

Nikki and Pete tend an allotment and children from the setting visit regularly to help with planting, weeding, watering and harvesting the crops. Food from the allotment is used in the meals that we serve at the setting.

What Parents say about Nikkis Nippers

Mr & Mrs R, Wickwar

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for caring for our children so well over the years. You have given them such a nurturing, family environment to learn in and taught them so many life skills, preparing them for your school and life ahead. We shall miss you so much…

Mrs B, Chipping Sodbury

“A sincere and huge thank you for taking such wonderful care of L from the age of 9 months – she has been given so much tender love enabling her to develop into the beautiful toddler she has become.”

Mrs R, Wickwar

“Thank you so much for everything you have taught L, all the places you have taken him and all the love and care you have shown him.”

Mrs M, Wickwar

“Thank you very much for the support you have given T over the last 16 months. She has enjoyed her time playing with you and has learnt a lot in that time.”

Mr & Mrs E, Chipping Sodbury

“Where on earth do we start – You have been such an important part of M & S’s lives since before they were one. We cannot thank you enough for the love, care and nurturing you have shown them. As well as providing them with exciting, motivating and stimulating experiences, you tried many new things with them as well as adapting to our routines. Your setting really is a home from home and we greatly appreciate that. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your hard work in making our boys blossom – we will be eternally grateful to you.”