Soar Childcare’s Journey

Hello! We are the Walker family.  My name is Marion Walker and I am a registered childminder who is regulated by Ofsted.  I was born in Richmond, Virginia, USA in 1976 and lived there until I left for University where I studied music, theatre, and education.  At University I met my husband, Graeme, who was an exchange student from England.  We got married in the year 2000 and moved to England in 2003 when we were expecting our first child. 

I am a qualified teacher with a master’s degree in special education.  I have taught in Hertfordshire primary schools for five years and in American primary schools for three years.  I worked in a child care centre working with children from birth to five years old for three years, and I have run several workshops for gifted and talented children in the US. 

When I began to have children of my own, I wanted them to enjoy every day and have as many positive experiences as possible. I have a daughter named Hannah who was born in 2003 and is enjoying her time at secondary school. In 2008 we had our second child, Lara.  I gave up work to be with my children, but found that I missed the buzz of the classroom. I love children and want to continue working with them.  Childminding allows me to be at home for my girls (who sometimes still need me even thought they are teenagers), teach and nurture children and have a career.  

 I have my masters degree in Education, a BA in musical theatre and I also have my level 3 qualification in childminding as well as paediatric first aid.  In my last three Ofsted inspections, I received an outstanding rating for my childcare in all areas.  My most recent inspection was on the 25th March 2019.  

​I work with my husband Graeme.  He is also a trained primary school teacher with a BA honours in Education.  He saw how much I was having childminding and joined me about seven years ago and got an outstanding on his Ofsted inspection in 2019 as well.

We live in Bishop’s Stortford with our girls and two very sweet cats named Eclipse and Tobi.  They do not come into the playroom very often but children can play with them if parents give permission.   It is our philosophy that every child we care for should have fun, learn lots, feel valued and genuinely enjoy their time with us.

We offer a childcare experience in that we are a home from home environment but with two teachers who are  highly trained and continuously strives to improve our practice.  We have a very large designated playroom and outdoor area which enables us to change the setting based on the needs and interests of the children.  We use an online system that enables us to send you photos and information about what we have been up to.  I can also send activity ideas for you to try at home as well as keep a record of your little one’s learning journey.  

​We have the resources of a larger setting but within a much smaller, more personalised service.