Kidswithdebby's 5 Star Reviews
Childminder
4.91 out of 5
Showing only 5 star reviews
Below are the 5 star reviews for Kidswithdebby. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk members and not of Childcare.co.uk. Parents must carry out their own checks and references on childcare providers to ensure that they are completely happy before enaging in the use of their services.
We recently switched childcare to Debby and Allan. We were very conflicted about whether to do this (as my daughter was making some progress settling in her other setting). However I felt out of the loop with how her days were going, I wanted to feel more involved in the settling in process. I'm SOOO glad we made the switch. Debby and Allan were so open to hearing what I felt like my daughter needed from a setting AND what I needed from a setting(!) As me feeling confident would inevitably rub off on her too. They made suggestions about what might be the best first steps for settling in, and what the next steps might be after this. They did 2 straight weeks of settling in sessions (even on a Saturday morning!!!) all with the aim of helping her to adjust to them, adjust to the routines and adjust to the setting. They put so much thought and care into each child, I honestly don't know how they find the time and energy but they do!
Throughout the two weeks of settling, there was constant communicating back and forth. Which was incredible for me. I feel like some settings want to reassure parents saying "they're fine" when you know that isn't the case (you can tell if they've been distressed or teary eyed ...and then they are acting differently at home). I do understand this logic to an extent - but for me, not hearing the detail was making me feel more distressed, as I felt I didn't have the full picture. With Debby and Allan, they took this on board and in the early days they sent videos of her frequently (even if she wasn't happy), this allowed me to feel like I knew how best to support her when I picked her up. But also it allowed for the adults to brainstorm together what to do (one example being when she was on video letting out short sharp cries, I knew she hadn't slept well...and together we agreed to give Calpol which completely turned her day around š). For settling in they actually listened to me about her likes and dislikes....They heard she liked encanto songs and played them for 2 weeks straight as a comfort blanket for her ā¤ļø (although I think Allan quite enjoyed this to be fair!!)
There are still some teething issues - inevitably, as life isn't perfect. One example being, she is not eating much at lunchtime. However, we are in communication about this. They are receptive to my ideas and also make suggestions based on their experience. They reassure me that this can be common in children who are still settling. We message each morning about potential issues - whether it might be teeth, normal toddler fussiness etc.... Long story short - it's a really good working relationship - we have good communication, share ideas and have the combined goal of making my daughter feel safe and loved š
I was a self-proclaimed anxious mum, very attachment focused (cosleeping, coregulation etc). I felt like no one could look after my baby as well as me, but needed to get back to work (as I'm sure many mums can relate to). I feel like if I could make a mould of who I'd want to look after my children, it would be Debby and Allan. 3 weeks in she is happy, playing with other children and goes over in the morning happily for a cuddle (After only 3 weeks!!!ā¤ļø) This all makes it so much easier for me to have the headspace to go back to work. They will probably never fully realise how appreciative I am for this - they give me peace, so I can get on with other things. I cannot say enough good things!
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Aisling
on 21/10/2024
I was recommended Debbi & Allan by a friend whose child used to be cared for by them, I canāt even put into words just how amazing they are. My child has been going to them for just over a year and has grown to love them both from very early on (as have we) I love that they take the children out to all sorts of wonderful, enriching places and keep us parents up to date all throughout the day of what my child has been doing. They are that fantastic that I have also sent my 4 month old baby with them too and she has such a wonderful time with them. I honestly felt so relaxed with them taking her at such a young age as if she were with family. I can happily say that parenting 3 children (2 under 2s) and working from home felt almost impossible at times, but with Debbie and Allanās support they have literally made parenting seem do-able. My 2 yr old has developed so much in the year she has been going, even forming a beautiful friendship with another child that is evident from all the updates I get throughout the day. It makes my heart burst. I want my children to stay with Debbi and Allan until they start secondary school haha. The best of the best
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Joann
on 05/10/2024
Debbie and Allan have been a blessing for our family! Our 2-year-old daughter has been under their care for over a year, and we couldn't be happier. Allan's morning pickups are eagerly awaited by our daughter, who affectionately calls him Ally. Their compassion is evident, and the love they have for each child is heartwarming. Not only are they reliable and flexible, but their wealth of knowledge and experience provides us with invaluable advice on our daughter's health and development.
Debbie and Allan go above and beyond to make each day exciting and educational for the children. Their attentive observation of every little change in behavior reassures us that our child is in capable hands. The regular updates, including pictures and videos, offer a comforting glimpse into our child's day.
As a parent initially anxious about leaving my child with strangers, Debbie and Allan's warmth and professionalism quickly dispelled any worries. I can't imagine entrusting my child to anyone else. If we have another child, they will undoubtedly be part of their early years too. We are truly grateful for the positive impact they've had on our family.
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Alex
on 23/02/2024
Our son has been with Debbie for just over a year now and has been settled and so happy since day 1. I was very nervous going back to work and leaving my son, but Debbiewas so kind and patient and oferred many settling in sessions....mainly for me! I was worried about naps as my son has always been a contact sleeper or has sleeps on the go (car, buggy). Debbie oferred to wear our sling and we went through a few plans in case he didn't settle when he was tired. In the end my son fell right into step with Debbie and we never had a problem or a worry.
My son loves the adventures they go on and has learned so much from Debbie. He talks constantly about Debbie and the friends he has made. Every morning he asks to go to Debbie, even on the days he is home with me. When he gets something new one of the first things he says is he wants to show it to Debbie. My point being with all of this is that my son adores Debbie.
We get updates and pictures/vidoes throughout the day, but they never feel like they are taking away from attention the kids should be getting. We are kept up to date about milestones and development. My son has also learnt safety skills and how to be kind.
One of the things I love the most is that I genuinely feel that Debbie loves and adores every child he looks after. I think he sees something wonderful in each child and helps foster kindness in all of them.
We couldn't be happier and we highly recommend Debbie!
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Cece415
on 07/02/2023
My daughter (2yo) has been going to Debby & Allan's (or Debbyallan as she always calls them) for almost a year and she loves her time with them.
As we moved our covid-baby from grandparent-childcare to a totally new place & situation, we preferred a childminder to a nursery, and we're so glad we chose Debby & Allan: our daughter has been able to get the benefits of being with a little gang of children of different ages and abilities, and of the sort of 'family-style' outings you just can't get with nursery.
Every day, the children are out and about, and even if bad weather means they're visiting a shopping centre rather than a farm or park, Debby & Allan do such a great job of making it a fun learning experience. (This has also made me feel more confident that even if I'm not "doing activities" with my daughter all the time, she is still gaining something from being out with me. And it takes the pressure off a bit, as I know that with Debby & Allan she will be having a really sociable, enlightening full week.)
From the first meeting, it was clear how great they are at adapting to the needs of the kids in their care, and communicating what they're up to with parents. We really appreciate the videos/ photos and messages about how our daughter is getting on, and seeing how much fun she is having with them and the other kids. Our daughter's communication, confidence and manners have definitely improved thanks to her time with Debby & Allan, but she is also completely accepted and enabled to enjoy herself.
My mum, who was a teacher for almost 40 years, also praised Debby and Allan's way of talking to and with the children.
They have also been so helpful and considerate when we have needed to make changes to our days, and were really understanding in allaying our anxieties when my daughter first started with them, making her transition to childcare so much easier for the whole family.
Although food is not provided by Debby & Allan, they have been really great at encouraging our lunch-averse child to try to eat, without ever making it into an issue.
In short, we really recommend Debby & Allan.
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Lauren
on 06/02/2023
Our son has been with Debby and her partner Allan for about 18 months now and we can't recommend them highly enough.
They take the children out every day to a variety of exciting things - e.g the aquarium, toddler groups, national trusts, paradise park etc. Far more places than we would ever have time to visit!
It's clear they are experts in their profession and have taught our son many important life skills such as how to slide safely (backwards on his tummy) and how to go down stairs safely (on his bottom). They are versatile and plan their days around the children's needs and ensure they have plenty of time to rest (either in the buggy or the car) and are good at ensuring they get adequate sleep opportunities according to their age. They also offer the option to pick-up and drop-off which have been invaluable with our busy schedules. Because there is 2 of them working together this means they have twice the capacity of other childminders. We really like this as it means there are more children for our son to socialise with and it offers the feel of a 'mini nursery' whilst still being very personal and homely.
They send lots of photos and videos daily so you can really feel a part of your child's day and are excellent at communication. They are very genuine in their love and support for their children and are both very kind and friendly people. Our son is so excited to see them and speaks so happily of his time there and that makes us very happy too!
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Jenna
on 04/02/2023
Our first and only child is now 20 months and has been with Debbie and Allan every week since she was 6 months old. I was cautious and unsure about whether or not childminders were the right option for us and I spent ages researching every possible option months and months in advance. To this day every single day I count my blessings that we found Debbie and Allan. They are truly family now and they donāt just āmindā our daughter, I consider them our co-parents as they love her for excatly who she is and nurture her unique little personality and teach her and go absolutely above and beyond not just to meet her needs promptly and with such care and sensitivity but also to enrich her life and make her feel special. They take her on outings that we never could and she has done and seen so much more because of them. They have used gentle compassionate methods to teach her so much in terms of her emotional and social development as well as her language and other educational skills. They squeeze the best out of every moment they have with her and make it fun filled and joyful and peaceful and calm as well. You never think you could so deeply trust someone outside of your own family with your child but I trust them both totally šÆ to always do the best by her. They have so much experience and have so often (when Iāve asked for it!) been the source of wise guidance and reassurance when Iām trying to learn each new stage of parenting. Thanks to them I have a happy secure little girl who looks forward to her āDebbie and Allan daysā and when she is with them I can completely switch off and relax knowing that she is not just safe but having a wonderful adventure (though the also always make sure to send lots of photos and video updates every day in case I do want to see exactly what is going on / Iām missing her a lot that day!). Iād be happy to speak to anyone who is considering placing their child in their setting and answer any questions.
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RoseA
on 03/02/2023
My daughter has been with Debby & Allan since she was 10 months (she has just turned 2). Itās always worrying to leave your child with āstrangersā for the first time, but Debby & Allan felt like an extended part of the family very quickly. They are fantastic with communication, sending photos & videos throughout the day, so Iām never wondering what my daughter is up to or how she is. She loves the trips they take the children on daily and has had far more educational visits with Debby & Allan than I would ever have been able to provide myself - National Trust houses/parks, the Aquarium, the seafront, Paradise Park, local parks all over Brighton & Hove, Middle Farm, St Matthias PlayCafe and more. She always sleeps well after a busy day with them! Itās also been great for her social skills, helping her learn how to play, share and empathise with other children. Debby & Allan are incredibly flexible and Iāve been able to book my daughter in for extra days with very little notice. We donāt have family in Brighton to help with childcare but Debby & Allan fill that gap brilliantly. We are so grateful that we found them.
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HannahJW
on 03/02/2023
My son has been with Debby and Allan for about 6 months now & he and I couldnāt be happier! They are always off on fun trips to the farm, paradise park, soft plays, different parks, the beach, national trusts etc. I love getting all the WhatsApp updates with lots of pictures and videos of what theyāre up to! The communication is great.
They are so accommodating and kind and you can tell they really love the children and are passionate about what they do. My sonās confidence and speech has come on massively since he started, it so so lovely to see. My son beams when we talk about Debby and Allan and now excitedly strolls in when I drop him off. Highly highly recommend Debby & Allan :D
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Kirsty
on 02/02/2023
My daughter has recently started with Debby and we are thrilled with the service. They take them off for adventures every morning, different places in the outdoors and give them loads of fun. We get to see photos & videos and always kept up to date. Debby has a lovely home & cute little garden with all the plastic fun you can imagine; slide, bubble car etc. But importantly she has years on invaluable experience and a genuine love for the little ones! Allan is great too.
Really happy with the care & love given & my daughter loves her too.
(She doesnāt do food so I left it blank)
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Gemma
on 28/08/2020
Our son started going to Debby when he was nine months old and he settled immediately and was comfortable, happy, nurtured and stimulated by the activities, the other children and with Debby's wonderful engaging expertise. Cut to five months later and he has gone back following lock down as easily as he first went. The relationship and environment that Debby has put in place has meant that he has not found the transition difficult or stressful at all, which has meant that we, as his parents, haven't either. We have been reassured by Debby's commitment to social distancing, both with us at drop off and pick up and in the choices she has made for stimulating activities for the children, as well as the phasing back of taking children into her care and how that has all been communicated to us. We feel our son is getting what he needs developmentally by being away from us and we have peace of mind that all the steps required to keep him and the other children in Debby's care safe are being taken and vigilantly monitored day by day as things evolve in our new normal. It has been absolutely wonderful to see our son thrive in the company of other children again and to see his excitement when Debby opens the door in the morning means we leave knowing he is in the best possible care, when he isn't with us. Thank you so much Debby (and Allan) for all you do.
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KateLibb
on 20/08/2020
Dylan really enjoys his time with Debby and Alan and gets a lot out of their outings. He is always happy to attend the setting and when his dad takes him in the morning Dylan tends to be really animated when they turn on to their road. Dylan often talks to us about Paradise Park when he gets home on the days they have been there.. he loves the dinosaurs and talks about walking around and always shows us his stamp on his hand really proudly! He loves museums and anywhere he can run around pressing buttons or looking at animals which is something he gets to do quite a lot with Debby and Alan. One of the reasons why we chose them as childminders is because they put a great deal of emphasis on treating each child as individuals and being really caring and loving towards the children. I think Dylan sees his time with them as a second home! Also, they spend a lot of their time outdoors visiting mosques, chapels, national trusts and just being out in nature or running along the beach. Dylan has been with Debby and Alan for almost two years this coming May and he has thrived. We have recently had another little boy who will be looked after by them in September and knowing how happy Dylan has been with them will make it a lot easier for us as parents when the time comes. There are children of all ages at the setting which I think has been really positive for Dylan to learn to be gentle and caring with younger children.
As childminders they work in partnership with us and always keep us up to date with what they and the children are doing as well us keeping us informed of any relevant training they have undertaken. The Sparks videos that Debby creates are excellent and it's really good to see what they get up to. Debby and Alan send us photos and messages throughout the day when Dylan is with them and this is really lovely to see how they are all getting on. Dylan was born premature and I remember when we first met Debby and Alan they were very understanding with his needs and development. They often carried Dylan in a carrier that we lent them because this is where he was most happy when he was very young.
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Shahira
on 17/02/2020
Our daughter has been with Debby and Allan for almost a year now. We are so happy that our friends recommended them to us and that we decided to leave our daughter in their care when I went back to work.
Debbie and Allan work closely together, which provides a great opportunity for Melissa to not only engage with two very caring and loving adults but to also spend a lot of quality time with other children. We love that they are always out and about, making sure that our daughter experiences different environments and sees and learns new things while being safe and loved. She was so small when she started, so it was a bit difficult at the beginning, but she has now formed such a strong and loving bond with both Debby and Allan!
Itās such a privilege to be able to see her grow and develop, which is made easier with all the information, messages and videos that we receive via whatsapp. It reassures us that our daughter is not only safe and happy, but is having unique experiences and adventures āŗ
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h_step
on 13/02/2020
I cannot recommend more highly. From the second we met Debby and Allan we knew they were perfect for taking care of our son who was 7 months when he started with them. Being our first child they took away any anxieties we had about leaving him and truly put our mind at rest offering advise and working with us to get him settled in, which he did instantly.
They offer such variety and diversity to their days, visiting lots of different places and offering lots of new experiences. They take everything into consideration to ensure our son is happy and content. When I drop off and collect children always seem so happy there. Couldnāt wish for any more, feel very lucky we found them.
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Sophie
on 26/07/2019
I found myself in urgent need of some child care due to unforeseen circumstances. I was in a massive panic when I called Debbie and explained my situation. She quickly calmed me down and invited me round to meet her at her home. With in moments of meeting Debbie and her wonderful partner Allan ) who also is a child minder) I knew i wanted to send my little girl to them who at the time was 16 months old.
I know have a 3 month old and I will be sending her to Debbie when she is 6 months as there is no one else I trust enough to look after my baby :-)
My daughter has the most wonderful experiences with them and they are always out and about and Debbie sends me films and updates through out the day which I have asked for.
I couldnāt recommend her and her partner enough. Thanks for looking after the most precious thing in the world to me and which enables me to work and not feel guilty!
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Jen
on 21/07/2019
Our daughter started with Debby and Allan when she was only 5 months old so we were a bit anxious about how it would work out as she was not taking a bottle and had little experience with other people other than us. Due to Debby's and Allan's loving and caring natures, however, she quickly settled in and now seems to thoroughly enjoy spending time with them and the other children. We are updated with regular messages, videos and pictures which makes the whole process more relaxed for us. We strongly believe that our now 8-month old daughter benefits from spending time with experienced adults, other children, and the various activities (farms, castles, playground, pools, parks etc.) that Debby and Allan provide for her.
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h_step
on 21/07/2019
Debby is fantastic- sheās so detailed and gave us really helpful updates while she was babysitting. Debby explains everything very clearly and had a lovely connection with our daughter. I would definitely recommend her!!
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Emer
on 16/06/2019
Debbie has a lovely, warming nature towards both parent and babies/ children. My 15month old twin boys are a little upset at hand over but within minutes are happy and settled. Videos and photo messages allow me to get on with work knowing they are safe, happy and being cared for. Days out encourage them to explore their environment and gain confidence. Highly recommended!
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Jazzyd
on 29/01/2019
We sent our son to Debby and Allan at 8 months, and they have both worked so hard with him and us to settle him in. It has been a big change for him, and Debby and Allan made sure they were able to provide the extra care he needed in those first weeks.
We get to see photos and videos each day of what the children are up to, so we can still be a part of all the new experiences our boy is having. The communication has been great, and we really feel like we are working as a team with them to offer the care and support he needs.
They are genuinely invested in our sons care, we have been lucky to find them.
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Parent
on 26/09/2018
Leaving our 6 month old for the first time, with someone we had only recently met was really quite an emotional thought. But when it came to it, we were reassured and filled with absolute confidence that she was going to be loved and nurtured all day. This was 100% what happened, we received videos through Watsapp all day with our little one smiling away, all anxiety's were squashed very quickly. 2 months on, and our daughter knows exactly where she is, and gets excited as we walk up to the door. She has a great time and is shown/taken to places that I never even dreamed of. Our minds are always at rest when it's Debby and Allan's days. Great setting, with every need met for each development stage. They have both become family to our little one and we couldn't ask for anything more when it comes to looking after our precious little girl.
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Parent
on 24/09/2018
I use Debbie and Allan for after school care. I was anxious about my son's 1st day of school and having child minder on the very next day. All that vanished after meeting Debbie and Allan and hearing about the exciting activities they have in store for the kids. I especially love the daily updates of the kids at the park, seafront or just chilling indoors having their snacks and playing. Totally recommend their services :)
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mpume
on 21/09/2018
We r VERY happy with Debbie, our little one loves to go there. Day filled with adventures, fun....learning something new every time. Celebrating different cultures, not long ago we had amazing Polish day and celebrated International Childrenās Day! Very creative, loving and fun. Canāt say anything bad!
Trust 100%
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Karina
on 01/07/2018
Debby looked after my 1-year-old son for 2 evenings. Even if my son is not used to stay without us, Debby did a great job looking after him, making sure to minimize the stress for my son and keeping us informed at all stages. She is very organised, reliable, always on time. She did an amazing work
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Simone
on 17/06/2018
My kids absolutely loved staying at Debby's.
It was the first time that we used a babysitter for our 2 kids (2 and 4 years old) and I was really nervous not knowing how they would find the experience but as soon as we walked in Debby's house she made us feel really welcome and greet us all with a super warm smile.
My kids immediately started playing with the toys that she had there and in 2-3 minutes were absolutely at ease with her and her daughter Katie.
She took them to the beach and the playground and they really enjoyed the experience.
In fact when we when to pick them up they told us that they couldn't wait to see Debby again and this is great.
I will definitely use her babysitter service again and would recommend her to everyone, she is just amazing!!!
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Parent
on 16/06/2018
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 16/06/2018:
Thank you so much for your review. Much appreciated. We thuroughly enjoyed looking after your children. I canāt get your sons face from my mind. The sheer joy of running in and out of the sea splashing away just having the time of his life. It simply made my day.
Thank you your kind comments and for choosing us for your babysitters.
As a first time mum returning to work on was very apprehensive about using childminder, Debbie has changed that opinion.
My son enjoyed his time with Debbie very much. He took to her straight away and I never questioned whether he would be ok in her care.
Whilst being friendly and approachable Debbie remained professional at all times. Really appreciated the level of communication throughout our time with you.
Thank you very much
Debbie
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Parent
on 26/04/2018
We've just been with Debby and Allan for a few weeks since my son started school and they take care of him from picking him up after school until we can collect him after work.
Debby and Allan have both been so great at getting my son settled in to this new arrangement. They have been so attentive in finding out what he likes doing and is interested in and in understanding - perhaps better than us - what his needs are as he gets used to starting school.
I would have no hesitation in recommending them to others looking for a childminder.
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joyous05
on 02/10/2017
We came across Debbys profile and very much liked what we read. On meeting with Debby and her partner Allan, who is also a career we began to feel a sense of comfort and were reassured that we had made the right choice for our daughter. Since then we have never looked back. we could not be happier with Debbie and Allan. They are kind fun and full of energy. This is one of the many things that drew us to them. They take the kids out daily and they are very well entertained. Our daughter is full of energy and enjoys the outings immensely. On occasions on have needed their drop off and or collect service, which was very convienent. I have also been able to book my daughter in at last minute which is not normally permitted but Debby and her team have been so gracious and accommodating and were able to assist me. Debby will endeavour to assist however she can so that your needs are truly met. I cannot praise her services enough and have recommended her to a few of my other friends in search of child services. Debby and Allan thank you so much for your continual hard work and we appreciate it very much. We look forward to our continued working relationship. Mrs M. Holmes
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Marena
on 18/08/2017
I started using Kidswithdebby about a month ago for my toddler twins. It was the first time anyone except immediate family had looked after them, so I was obviously nervous initially, but when I met Debby and Allan in their home environment I immediately knew they would be in safe hands. They look after the twins 1-2 mornings per week.
I have found the pick-up and drop-off service very handy; Debby and Allan are always reliably on-time and the twins now happily tootle off to the car for the day's adventure. The twins' social life is now officially better than mine and I am kept fully up to date of all their activities via WhatsApp. While they are out having fun at Paradise Park, Peter Pan's playground, a nursery group, I'm at home usually sorting out their trail of destruction! They come home happy and exhausted ready for their lunchtime nap (Debby and Allan have valiantly managed to keep them awake through a lot of singing on the journey back to the house so that their nap routine hasn't been disrupted).
Debby and Allan are lovely people who offer a calm and caring family environment to the children they look after, and I have no hesitation in recommending them.
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Parent
on 05/08/2017
Debby and Allan have been brilliant with my son, I returned to work when he was 11 months old and was as you can imagine extremely nervous at being away from him. They have made me feel very much at ease, sending videos throughout the day and keeping me updated on his progress.
Debby does one overnight a week and has been very helpful with anything that I require, which can be quite a lot as I'm a very anxious parent!
My son has really taken to Allan also, so much so that on bumping into him in the street the other day he didn't want to come with me he wanted to go with him!
Would definitely recommend, I feel very lucky to have found them to care for my baby. They made my transition back to work bearable as I know he is very safe, looked after and cared for by them both.
Thank you Debby and Allan
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A Mulloy
on 31/07/2017
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 31/07/2017:
Ha ha, Allan did mention that. How cute.
He is a beautiful young man and we truly enjoy the many facial expressions he pulls along with his gorgeous cheeky infectious smile. Thank you for your kind words.
Debby and Alan are fantastic with our son and maintain excellent professionalism both in their day to day care and in their communications with us. We love the regular updates, photographs and videos of our sons exciting outings with Debby and Alan despite sometimes being a bit jealous of all the great days out they seem to have everyday.
I would strongly recommend kidswithdebby to any parents keen on their child enjoying various daily outings, enjoying new experiences and spending time with two very positive childcare professionals.
Thanks Debby and Alan!
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by
Parent
on 30/07/2017
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 31/07/2017:
I completely understand the jealousy, but just think in winter, it's cold and wet and windy and miserable. In the summer months, yes, we do have the best job, in my opinion anyway..
Children playing and learning in an outdoor environment appear more active, absorbed, motivated and purposeful, and develop a more positive attitude to learning in my opinion. They are not confined to the same areas day in and day out. They are free to run, jump, roll in the natural environment of the woods and fields and beaches. We love the outdoors.
Your child has settled in with no bother at all and already made little friends. Thank you for your kind words. It's nice to feel appreciated.
My 16 month old daughter started with Debby and Allan at the beginning June, I was so anxious to leave her but they were so helpful on the handover and sent me pictures and videos all day so I could see that she was absolutely fine and having a great time! I get updates every time my daughter is with them and on pick up, get informed of how much she has eaten and drank etc.
They are always taking them out to toddler groups, farms and fun places, my daughter has made new friends and is developing really well there. I can't thank them enough for all the kind and wonderful things that they do with and for my daughter.
Would 100% recommend!!
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by
Parent
on 26/07/2017
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 28/07/2017:
Thank you for your kind words. We do work hard to ensure each individual needs of a child is met. We love outdoor learning and watching the children develope. We feel it's about giving the children lots of different opportunities to experience the world we live in. Your daughter will watch the slightly older children climb and run and you can see her challenge herself to try and do the things they do. She does try and she bounces back after difficulties, but she has a go.
I'm so glad you and your daughter are happy and settled. Thank you again for the review and choosing us to be your daughters childminders. She is an absolute delight, babbling away so much just desperate to talk.
Our 14 months old boy stays with Debby and Allan for two days per week.They take him and other kids to babygroups which is such a great idea, great fun for him,comes home full of excitement and tired:)really recommend them as we are happy with their care to our boy!
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by
Parent
on 21/12/2016
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 22/12/2016:
Thank you so much for the review. Much appreciated. May we take the opportunity to wish you and your family a fabulous Christmas and New Year.
Debbie and Allan have been a blessing! I was anxious about leaving my 9 month old with anyone, but they sent me videos, pictures and messages so I knew she was ok. They still keep me updated every day so I know how happy she is with them. She's definitely getting lots of love and attention with them.
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Overall
by
Parent
on 19/10/2016
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 21/10/2016:
The pleasure is ours. We enjoy working together as one unit. We all make a great team for your bundle of joy who is part of our extended family.
I have a 14 month old son who was ten months old when he went to Debbie's. He was ten weeks premature and had some health problems as a result. He was also extremely dependent on me, would scream if put down at all, would not sit in a high chair, take milk from a bottle etc.
Debbie and Allan have been absolutely amazing! They allowed me to shadow them for a month or so before I left him with them. I was so anxious about him not coping but since I have been leaving with them he hasn't even cried on parting with me. His development has come on immensely, he is happy, confident and loves the other babies and kids. They take him out to lovely places every day, and send pictures of the fun they are having, their communication is great and they are extremely child centered. I feel so lucky to have found Debbie and Allan to look after my son, I fully trust them to make sensible decisions in his best interests when he is with them.
Rhian
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Overall
by
Rhian
on 07/09/2016
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 21/10/2016:
We have learnt so much from you. The settling in sessions and the mirroring us on outings really helped us understand the meaning of looking after a premature baby. What an experience for us, thank you for choosing us as your childminder. We have had some real challenges and new experiences which has been great. I'm so glad we connect well together to ensure our little person has all the support that is needed. To come from a baby who just wanted to be in a carrier for comfort and security, to being a confident child, who is secure, feels a sense of trust and love is simply a reward that seemed so far from achieving so soon. We are so very pleased.
Debby and her partner Allan have looked after my 19 month old for the last 8 months and he has enjoyed every minute. They specialise in flexible childcare and they have bent over backwards to help us out - either due to work commitments or personal situations where we've needed to change things at the last minute.
They do a variety of activities with the children and often go on day trips to farms, parks and soft play. Our son has thrived being with kids his own age and older. Their home is incredibly welcoming and geared up to stimulate children both in the summer months, in their fab garden, or during the winter with a selection of toys and activities to suit children of all ages.
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by
Charlie
on 05/09/2016
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 21/10/2016:
Thank you for your kind words, it's much appreciated that our hard work is recognised. It's a huge responsibility to look after children from other families. Our flexibility, means long unsociable hours also, however, your child has brought us so much laughter with his cuteness and happy, cheeky personality. We would also like to thank you for supporting us to enable things to run smoothly in being flexible yourselves, you have been a pleasure to work with. Always happy to listen to ideas and suggestions and work with us. We have always felt like an important part of your family and that makes us feel good.
Jacob has been minded by Debby and Allan since February, he absolutely loves it there. He often talks about them when he's not with them both and is always pleased to see them everyday. They've been fantastic with me as well, keeping me informed throughout the day and they've put my mind at ease on those crazy mornings (we all have them at times!)
They get out of the house everyday and do something fun. They also try to encourage their development with different activities within the home. Jacobs speech has come on in leaps and bounds and although he's a head strong little boy he is fantastic with the smaller children, this again I believe is a credit to them both as he wouldn't get interaction with smaller children being in a nursery.
All in all, we both love the environment that they provide. All the children always seem happy and content every time I've been to pick up and drop off.
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by
jenoverl
on 05/09/2016
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 09/09/2016:
Jen, hahahaha, we love looking after your son. His sense of humour clearly comes from his mum, hahaha.....
Brilliant review, it means a lot to us.
We have lots of fun, you know that, from the videos and pictures you receive from us. We had to manage some challenging situations, as this young man is our escape artist and very strong willed. Full of character though. Just fits in perfectly.
Debby and Allan have been looking after my two children after school for a few months and they have been fantastic, the children always come back telling me about all the activities they did there and that they had fun, they love going there and it's clearly a loving and caring environment. Debby has also been very flexible to accommodate our family's needs which has been an invaluable support. Thank you very much!
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KatyaV
on 10/02/2016
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 10/02/2016:
Your more than welcome. We have both really enjoyed looking after the children. They are such sweet, well mannered children and your youngest is quite a character. Thank you for choosing us as your childminders.
Debby and Allan are a great team and provide a very warm, welcoming and caring environment for children.
We were anxious, as most parents are, at putting our daughter in childcare however Debby (and Allan) allayed our fears and put us very much at ease. They understand how parents may be feeling and are very sensitive to the needs of the children that they care for. They were extremely accommodating when it came to settling our daughter so much so that I went to playgroups with them and gradually introduced my little girl to them.
Our daughter is 13 months old and took to Debby and Allan straight away and whilst it was hard to leave her I could see that she would be fine.
I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending them to any of my friends with kids and I will continue to place our daughter in their care - as long as they have space for her!
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by
Parent
on 19/01/2016
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 21/01/2016:
Thank you for your kind words. We thuroughly enjoyed working for you and wouldn't hesitate welcoming you all back to the setting when the time is right for you. In the meantime should you require add hock we are here for you. Thank you for choosing us as your childminders.
There is no other way to describe Debby's childcare but as absolutely amazing. Having had my son in nursery and after school clubs I am only disappointed that I didn't find Debby sooner. When I first met Debby the feeling of her home was clean, warm and welcoming. Her experience and love and enjoyment of her work comes off in waves. Her services are extremely flexible allowing me to carry on studying and working whilst my son is on half term, with a constant changing timetable Debby is happy to work around this. At first I was worried as my son is a highly energetic little boy but in a small group Debby and Allan give him fair boundaries and their authoritative but caring nature has earned the respect they deserve from my son. Logan absolutely loves spending time with Debby, Allan and sometimes Debby's daughter Katie. He is keen to tell me all about the adventures they have, from trips to the park, educational outings or spontaneous trips to London. The activities are planned with all the children in mind and somehow they manage to cater to all their needs. I am provided with photos and videos and Logan always looks incredibly happy. The proof is in the pudding, Logan often comes home exhausted sometimes not wanting to leave which shows how much he enjoys being there, which is most important to me. According to Logan himself Debby is "beautiful, lovely and caring" and Allan is "handsome, respectful to Debby and nice". If a 6 year old can pick up on these qualities he is in the right environment. I would wholeheartedly recommend Debby and Allan for any childcare needs.
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by
Parent
on 30/10/2015
Our 13 month old has been with Debbie and Allan for two months now, he is with them five days a week, 12 hours a day. I had huge reservations about returning to work and leaving Sam for so long but I honestly needn't have worried. He leaps into Allan's arms when he is picked up in the mornings and we've seen him laughing with Debbie at the end of he days. We receive pictures and videos of all the fun that they are having often at the beach, park, farm etc etc. I do not know where Debbie and Allan get their boundless energy from! Our son settled in with them straight away and you can see the obvious affection that he has for them and vice versa. I think Sam has developed more quickly since being there - playing with and watching the older children. The service that they provide with pick ups and drop off's has been invaluable for us as my husband and I both commute on the train to work so that service takes a lot of a.m. and p.m. stress away. They are also very flexible, we are at the mercy of the trains to get back on time and there have been times when we have both been delayed and they are happy to work around that. They also sometimes wash Sam and pop him in his PJ's when he is really tired so that he is all ready for bed when he arrives home. I had a good feeling about Debbie and Allan when I spoke to Debbie on the phone but when I went to visit their house, I knew that I'd found the perfect childcare. The house has a warm, friendly feeling and they have the most amazing garden that the kids get to play in. I'm really happy with the amount of outdoor play that the kids get compared to some nurseries that I visited.
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by
Saragold
on 13/07/2015
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 14/07/2015:
Saragold, we are like the aunt and uncle to xxxxxx. Even though he is with us for a long stretch, he knows as soon as we pull up to the road that it's mummy and daddy time. His legs kick out with excitement, his whole body language displays an overwhelming sense that he is at home. We all communicate well throughout the day. Communication is definitely the key to a succesful partnership between childcare setting and home setting, assuring xxxxxxx is safe, nurtured in a thriving environment where he feels a sense of love, effection and security to venture off and explore in a learning method that xxxxx chooses. In the two months we have been looking after him we have listened, watched and taken notes on the style of learning that best suits xxxxxx. We include all the child's individual styles of learning and adapt our free play style of learning at each child's age stage development. Each child is an individual, there needs and wants are varied. With the aid of Babysdays the online software package I can complete the required paperwork within the childcare setting quickly and effectively. For parents like yourselves, you can access information such as observations, contracts, invoicing, policies, procedures, trackers on xxxxx to see which early years outcomes are complete merging and so on, 24 hours a day. It is an opportunity for parental interaction. You use it well and share information, privately and it is all confidential. We do really enjoy working for you all as a family unit and we feel valued and respected like members of an extended family, which is nice for everyone. Thank you, for choosing us as your childminders.
I spent ages trying to find the right fit for our 9 month old. We needed someone who could ideally pick up and drop off and who we felt comfortable with. I felt good as soon as I walked into Debby's house; clean but warm and friendly. Debby and Allan are very professional but also caring and loving towards the children. Our little one settled in in no time and I feel no anxiety when I am at work; I get updates all the time be it photos, videos or simply a text message. Our girl comes home happy and tired which is perfect! They are extremely flexible about times which helps us a lot as it can vary a little each week. We are so happy we opted for this rather than a nursery as Debby goes somewhere or does something different with the children each time and she really focuses on their sensory and physical development. Can't rate her and Allan enough.
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by
Parent
on 10/07/2015
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 11/07/2015:
Thats a really nice review, it does feel nice to feel appreciated. THANK YOU.
We do enjoy the little bundle of joy and working with you all. Its great to work with flexible parents to, from our point of view. We enjoy working in partnership and being open and honest with parents that way we all work as one, to look after the most precious thing in your lives, giving child xxxxx a sense of belonging, warmth and love. I am a strong believer that if a child feels that their well being is being taken care of, they will feel confident and secure to explore the world we live in, safely.
I've been with Debbie 5 months now. I'm very happy leaving my 1 year old with her. She's genuinely caring to the children and takes an interest in their well being. She really thinks about their learning and development needs and this shows in all the different activities and experiences she offers them on a daily basis. She updates me with a diary, photos and video and I find this very reassuring as a parent.
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Overall
by
Parent
on 09/07/2015
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 09/07/2015:
Thank you for your kind remarks and for your efforts to leave a review on this site. Even though your child attends on an add-hock basis, we are delighted that child xxxxx, has settled in so well and has become a part of our extended family. Your support as a parent has been great, your organisation of the activity you set up for the children in our care, was an amazing experience for them. A newsletter of our day, will be going out shortly with some pictures.
I do love it when parents get involved !
Debby was fantastic, babysitting at short notice. She put my mind at ease as first time I left my 1yr with someone other than family. Very friendly but professional manner. Will definitely be calling on her again :)
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by
Parent
on 01/03/2015
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 20/04/2015:
Thank you for your review I am so glad you had a good evening.
Debby and Allan have been looking after my daughter for the last few months and I am really happy with the care she is receiving. Debby helped her settle really quickly even though I had never left her before. She is now always happy to see Debby and Allan in the morning and is still smiling when i pick her up.
They go out almost everyday to the beach, park, farm...etc and I love getting the photos, videos and updates about all the fun they are having. Its really wonderful to see my daughter laughing and having a great time.
Debby and Allan are really lovely caring people and I know I made the right choice when choosing childcare. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.
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Overall
by
Parent
on 06/07/2014
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 09/07/2015:
I am so sorry for the delay in my reply. I feel awful. Well you already know what a delight it is for us to look after your daughter. You know she has had a great day, when she cries to go home, ha ha ha. She has been with us for about 15 months now and treats the home setting like her second home.
We love how you get involved thank you, thats important to us. Your ideas to celebrate Book Day with the children dressing up in costume and sharing their favourite story books from home, worked really well.
We have been spoilt to some spectacular home made cup cakes much appreciated.
We met Debbie through her partner, Allan being our daughter's Nanny for the first few months that I returned to work and now Debbie and Allan both provide childminding services for our daughter. We are extremely happy with the service they provide. I feel completely at ease with our little girl going to them for a long day once a week, for us they are like her 'extended family'. Our daughter is clearly very happy being with Debbie, and i enjoy getting the regular updates on how she is progressing, and the photos are often hilarious with the adventures they go on.
I feel that our daughter has grown in confidence in the last few months, particulary when interacting with other children, and i feel that the family environment that Debbie provides in her home for all the kids she cares for has contributed towards this. I love the fact that Debbie provides such a range of childcare (long and short term) because our daughter is always meeting new children to play and explore with. Their home is perfectly set up for the kids in their care, the garden is a treasure trove of toys and playthings! Our daughter always comes home happily tired and ready for bed!
Debbie is exudes warmth and kindness but is also very organised and efficient. I know that if I did have any queries or concerns I could talk to Debbie immediately and she would address anything without hesitation. The pick up and drop off service is a life saver for myself and my partner who both work long unsociable hours. In short we would not hesitate to recommend Debbie's childminding services to any of our friends
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by
Parent
on 01/07/2014
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 01/07/2014:
Thank you for your review, such a nice review thank you. We have both enjoyed watching your child develop. Its a beautiful thing, to share with a parent. Feed back from you is good and I am glad that you have shared this with others.
Your child has completely attached themselves to Allan, theres a bond there not to be broken. Ha ha ha. Allan has to sometimes hide on drop offs to your house so theres no separation anxiety, when handing over, too cute.
my two daughters spent half term week at debby's and they loved it!
she has a lovely home that is very welcoming. they are always out on day trips and adventures.
her partner is lovely too and him and debby are very easy to relate to, which makes it easier knowing your children are in safe hands.
my girls are already looking forward to summer holiday adventures with debby!
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by
Parent
on 05/06/2014
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 01/07/2014:
Planning the summer Holiday adventures already, ha ha ha
Thats the beauty of having a carā¦ Paradise Park, Seven Sisters, Preston Park, Hastings and so on.
They are a credit to you, lovely, polite children, with bags of energy, which comes with planning stimulated activities with lots of entertainment, which brings on development.
See you all soon
I needed some adhoc childcare for my 9 month old at quite short notice and having never left him with anyone except family before, I was really nervous! Debby was great at reassuring me that everything would be ok, and sure enough, my little man seemed to love it and was happy and relaxed with Debby from first meeting her. It was lovely to get a text with a photo of him smiling away during his time there. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Debby & Allan to anyone!
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by
NikkiS
on 03/06/2014
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 01/07/2014:
I would LOVE to look after your child anytime. What a delight. No problem at all.
My 16 month old son has been going to Debby and her partner Allan two days per week for the past four months and I'm very happy with the level of care he receives. What I particularly like are the outings they take him on and he gets lots of stimulation when at the home setting too, playing, baking and so on. There is also photos, videos and texts sent through the day especially at the beginning when he was first settling in. The pick up/drop off service is very good as ive no car and work some unsocial hours in the evening. I would be happy to recommend Debby and Allan to other parents.
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by
Parent
on 03/06/2014
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 01/07/2014:
Yes they are long hours. The 10 hours seem to go quickly for him and he feels right at home, as he now can climb onto the sofa and nestles into my sofa covers, with his hands behind his head and stretches himself out, chillaxed style.
Thank you for choosing us, we will continue to encourage your child to develop with the option of challenging activities.
My one year old son has been with Debby for a few months now and we have been very happy with her service. She is great with the children and makes sure each day is varied and active, with lots of trips out to intersting places which my son needs as he has lots of energy.
She sends photos and updates throughout the day which is lovely, it's good to see him having fun and lots of new experiences.
Debby is flexible and very accomodating of our work pattern as my husband works shifts and she even came to my home to pick up my son when I was feeling unwell.
When I go to work I feel confident that my son is getting the best possible care with Debby, her professional and caring approach gives me peace if mind and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her.
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by
Parent
on 13/12/2013
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 14/12/2013:
This is why I am relaxed, your soooo likeable and bubbly and a pleasure to work with.
On interview I instantly new I had to be on my toes, he was into everything, on top of everything. Ha ha ha ha
It is a shame that not many childminders offer Add Hock, weekend and continuous care with baby sitting and overnight care at your homes. I think its such a demand in Brighton. I learnt very quickly that flexible childcare is what parents need. How many of you work in Hotels, Hospitals, Care Homes or at Gatwick Airport. How many of you are travelling on public transport, which has been delayed.
Thank you for your kind words. Its an absolute pleasure to have been given the opportunity to look after your son. Your bundle of joy and good energy who is full of life. With an incredible smile, to light up anyones heart.
I finally found Debby after looking at a number of nurseries and childminders, all of which I found reasons to turn down (to be honest I was putting off the inevitable!). However, as soon as I found Debby I had a good gut feeling about her and my instinct has definitely been proven right.
Evie (age one and a half) has been going to Debby for a couple of months now and she loves it - she adores Debby and her family, is noticeably progressing with her development and is always so excited to get there and go off on adventures from playgroups and play parks, to making gingerbread men and scones and playing with her new little friends.
Debby is simply amazing! She sends updates and photos throughout the day so you can see how much fun your little one is having. She is flexible for ad hoc days and times to fit in with your own schedule and has such a lovely, warm nature and fun personality you can easily see why all the children she looks after love her so much.
Whenever I tell my friends with children how great she is they say we are very lucky and it's hard to find a childminder who ticks all the right boxes. Debby certainly does and I can't recommend her highly enough - she's the best!
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by
Parent
on 13/12/2013
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 13/12/2013:
Thank you for such kind words, I appreciate that. Evie is great fun, she really has become part of our extended family. We LOVE having her with us in our family home. I thoroughly enjoy working for you and your family, I sincerely mean that.
Thank you for choosing me as your child carer.
By the wayā¦ā¦. I appreciate the labelling of the food, especially on the bananas, it tickles me, I am so grateful though x
My 18 month old boy has been going to Debby for a year and he has the best time. Debby has a wonderful caring nature and he has formed a close bond with her and her family who always make a fuss of him. Debby is always doing fun and exciting things with him and they are always out and about being active which is what my boy needs as he loves the outdoors! Debby provides a fun and caring environment.
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by
Parent
on 20/06/2013
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 13/12/2013:
Thank you for your review. Sadly your son has left now, due to your childcare requirements and situation changing.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your business, it was a real pleasure working for you and your family. He settled in so well and really warmed to us all. My teenagers loved him around and yes he is missed.
Every time I look at my table and chairs, I smile with the memory of your son, climbing, crawling and weaving in and out and over my chair bars. A proper gymnast. Ha ha ha ha. Sooo cute, sooo strong, soo determined.
I loved watching him develop over the months and watching him learn and progress with his skills.
Darrell my son of 15, adored him. Every time he came in from school, your son went running over to him with his arms up, wanting some boy play, rough and tumble. Gosh, the gigglesā¦ā¦..he had an infectious laugh.
Lots of lovely memories.
Thank you.
Debby takes care of my 2 year old son and I have been very impressed. I was not happy with any of the nurseries I looked at in the area because I felt my son would not feel secure there and so I went to look at childminders and felt Debby fitted the bill immediately. She is very caring towards my son which is very important and he is always happy to be at the childminders, no tears and hes always cheerful when I pick him up.
Debby is v.flexible with regard to fitting us in at short notice which is great because my workload is varied so I would highly recommend Debby.
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Overall
by
Parent
on 21/03/2013
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 20/06/2013:
Thank you for the review. It means a lot.
Debby takes care of my 16 month-old son. I have to say I am more than impressed by her and the service she provides. As a working mum, I feel completely reassured when I drop him off, she keeps in contact with me as and when I need it thoughout the day. She's efficient, caring, smart, flexible and a great 'mother' to all the children she looks after. I interviewed many childminders in my search for the best one in Brighton (after all, my baby is the most precious thing to me:)) and she by far stood out. I feel grateful that I've met her:)
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Overall
by
Parent
on 15/02/2013
Response by
Kidswithdebby
on 20/06/2013:
Thank you for your comments. I am greatfull for all the kind words thank you. I am sooo going to miss you guys in July.
