Kathy is quite simply the best childminder. She is everything we wanted and so much more (we have two boys aged 2 and 4 that started with Kathy from 11 months). Never have the boys had separation anxiety or not wanted to go to her. They just loved her from the start and that was such a huge weight of my mind knowing they are genuinely happy when they are with her. She is completely reliable, full of energy, so proactive, always planning ahead and encouraging of us as parents and towards the children. Kathy was the one that suggested and successfully potty trained both my children (both before they turned 2 and they are boys!). She got them scooter trained and taught my eldest son to ride his bike (with pedals) before his 3rd birthday. She also takes him to swimming lessons mid-week as she identified he was ready – and he was. I know it’s down to Kathy’s encouragement and perseverance that all these milestones have been achieved so soon. She definitely has the children's best interests at heart and will go out of her way to fit it all in to her week.

Kathy has a good network of friends that are other mums, nannies and childminders so there is always lots of children playing together on the common. My children have built close friendships with these other children that they see regularly as well as the other family she looks after (who like a brother and sister to my boys now). I always say my children have a better social life than I do! If Kathy can be outdoors with the children she will be. Come rain or shine. She is always on the common, at mud club, visiting different parks and playgrounds. When its school holidays she takes the children off to museums, the zoo, she has even taken them all to the seaside. I told you she was amazing! It really is a lovely little community my children have been lucky enough to be part of. My children started with Kathy when they were just under a year. Kathy would take them to a different baby/toddler group every day introducing routine and structure to their days which they thrived off. Even when they are at Kathy’s home they are always making, building, creating, learning. Being plonked in front of the TV is not something that would ever happen! Kathy produces amazing memory books. You truly appreciate how much she does with the children when you see these books and how happy the children are in all the pictures and how much they have developed.

The only reason we have had to stop having Kathy is due to moving out the area. Anyone that is fortunate enough to have Kathy take care of their children is truly lucky. She is more than a childminder. Our children love her so much. We all do!

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