Blofield, Norfolk ยท Opening January 2027

A small setting, a qualified teacher, and a garden to get muddy in.

The Blofield Nest is home childminding for babies and children up to five, run by Stephanie Dodds, a qualified Early Years Teacher with five years in Ofsted Outstanding nurseries.

Places for January 2027 are open now. Visits welcome from November.

Why a childminder, not a nursery

One adult who knows your child properly.

In a nursery your child is one of thirty and the staff change. Here there are a handful of children, the same face every day, and someone who notices when your two year old finally says a new word.

The difference is that this one happens to be a qualified teacher.

Level 6 Early Years Teacher StatusFive years in Ofsted Outstanding settingsSmall numbers, home settingDaily updates to your phone
What you get

Home, not an institution. Teaching, not childcare.

Learning that is planned

Every child has a learning journal with observations, photos and next steps, tracked against the Early Years Foundation Stage. You see it as it happens, not at a parents evening.

Outside, most days

A garden, the village, the woods and the broads. Children who are outside in the weather sleep better and argue less, and the mud washes off.

Honest communication

You hear about the bad days as well as the good ones. If something is worrying me you will know that day, not at the end of term.

About Steph

I spent five years teaching two to four year olds in north London. Now I am doing it here.

I trained at Middlesex University and hold Early Years Teacher Status at Level 6, which is a degree level early years qualification. I worked at Barnet Early Years Alliance, a federation of three Ofsted Outstanding nursery schools, as a teacher and key person, including for children with additional needs.

Then I had three children of my own, we moved to Norfolk, and I have spent the last few years being a parent rather than a teacher. The Blofield Nest is me going back to the job I trained for, in a way that lets me do it properly.

The short version

Ages

Babies from six months up to school age, plus before and after school places for older siblings.

Days

Monday to Friday, term time and most of the holidays. Full days and half days.

Funded hours

I will be registered to take government funded hours for eligible families.

Food

Breakfast, a cooked lunch, tea and snacks included. We cook and eat together.