Sandy's Reviews

Issues with Feedback

I have always had good rapport with my babysitters and nannies. You opted to be an exception. So let me put things in perspective and refresh your memory whilst protecting discerning mothers/carers with children/wards with 1 or more allergies:

Meeting: We met weekend to agree dates and rates and ID check, I transferred £10 as part of storing a new payee bank details.
You sent a message about cancellation of an agreed day due to unforeseen work circumstances and offered another day..told you sorted. And clarified you are happy with days left. You also changed the rate but I said since we were happy with you, we would accept your new rate..frankly, I had no time to arrange another meeting.

1st day of work: You did not meet me as I left early for work. Called from work greeted you and explained I am phone free but incase of an emergency can also call my spouse. Gave number. At end of day, once phone back in possession, paid £80 to balance the earlier £10 per day. You found it better to text my husband asking him to tell his spouse about the agreed rate. He sent me the message. When I called, you brushed it aside as you forgot I had transferred £10 earlier. Then I asked why you did not just tell me than texting another. I gave you his number to call if emergency.

Day 2:
Explained we have board games as I informed you when we first met, when you were focused on gawking over decor in house and how the children should feel privileged and how lucky they were ( was never sure why that was relevant..Only recently did the kids tell me it was a daily occurrence!! As if size of one's house is proportionate to joy..it is not!!!)

You may not be familiar with coeliac but I explained on first meeting and informed you I will always do their lunches myself, they had stuff to do just needed an adult to be with them, told you we had board games.You could have told me then you were going to bring yours into home.

Wheat sensitivity is real. So when I was told you brought in a game and child with alergy was playing, I panicked. I explained you did not have to bring in games. I then advised wiping them with alcohol wipes to be safe cos with Coeliac, the most important thing is cross- contamination. My voice was normal, just feedback. You really should be open to take feedback particularly when health is concerned. How you hear/listen matters.
But I paid you once I got out of work that day as reflex. Spouse paid you also. You texted him abt double payment. He then let me know.

Day 3: Was in the car driving out when you were walking in, we waved at each other as spouse at home, did not need to get out of car as was running late. Which other greeting did you want or need ???
Came back home and was wondering why home in disarray and then kitchen tops. You have never left my home 'tidier' as you meet it tidied up and freshbto go for the kids each morning. By default I wipe down whole counter and tables at night before food prep and I noted stains that were not off the lunches I packed for kids daily; older child apologised and said she tried to clean as best as she could but was from your lunch..not sure what you had but seemed to leak. Did that contain egg, wheat ?etc . But I wiped down and messaged you about need to tidy or help kids do so from 5PM and need to clean off your meal. I did not think I needed to tell you that. You brushed it off with 'Apologies if not up to standard"..another response which seemed odd.
Day 4..last day: Greeted you, gave some antihistamines to younger one as from night before, eyes were a bit off..that's how fast she reacts and left for work as no rash and other signs. Came back to sad kids apologising cause they had no response when you mentioned to them about the tidiness ending with "your mother was quite rude''... they said they just got on with what they were doing. That statement is what you refer to us as asking kids...
It is sad you feel telling children that mum is rude tantamounts to positive environment???

The children you described as lovely and smart, are a product of a loving environment with different babysitters who have remained friends and have become family over the years. That was why when you cancelled one of days, I told you sorted. One of my regulars just snatched that day up with joy.

Why would you 'almost everyday reiterate to kids how priviledged they were..the size of a house does not make a child'...is there some inner wounds there?

You lied blatantly in your reply making me wonder how safe children are emotionally with you?
My children were stunned and as you have noted how well behaved they are( definitely not raised by you)..had no comeback phrases for you than flagging it up once I set foot at home.

To guard your income and 5-star review so tediously with lies is frankly disappointing because I am still not certain you even understand the health risk posed by bringing things touched by different people into another's home with an at risk child? As you described it as 'simple' board game.

And you warn people not to work with me..well, I have my babysitters most from childcare.co.uk who were just not available and they are most appalled at what you wrote, so thanks for highlighting your desperation.

I have no regrets highlighting these facts cause you are not the parent that will be sitting in A&E.

So I wonder, will you learn from feedback or go back defending the indefensible.
I gave you an objective 3 stars...were you expecting different???

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Communication

by Sandy about Emma on 25/04/2025

Response by Emma on 25/04/2025:

I am saddened and disappointed by Lucia’s second review. I believe this has
now become unnecessarily personal and disrespectful, and I will not be
engaging further beyond this final response.

While I fully respect every client's right to leave honest feedback, I do
not accept the tone, personal attacks, and late-night phone calls that I
have experienced during our time working together. Reviews should not be
used to harm or belittle professionals who are providing a service.

Since 2019, I have worked with many families across Teesside, including
children with allergies, special needs, and selective mutism. I have
consistently received positive feedback, and I take genuine constructive
criticism seriously. However, what I received during this experience was
not constructive — it was personal and hostile.

At our initial meeting, I agreed to the £10 transfer to store my bank
details. After my first shift, I clarified that my rate is £12 per hour,
with a day rate of £90 instead of £120, to make it fairer based on the
hours you requested. There was no hidden change to the rate — it was
communicated clearly and professionally.

In terms of communication with your husband, I only contacted him once at
his instruction to send my bank details. Any misunderstanding around
payment was discussed in person after my second shift, and I apologised
immediately for any confusion. I have not messaged your husband since.

Regarding activities, I brought an additional board game to engage the
children after noticing that one of them wasn't very interested in the
games available at the home. I apologise for not wiping the toys down —
this is not a standard expectation among my other clients, but I fully
respect that your household may have different preferences. It was never my
intention to offend you.

As for the claims about my attitude towards your home, I found the comments
very upsetting. I complimented your home and your children’s clothes
sincerely. It is hurtful that these compliments were spun into an
accusation that I was “gawking” or judging based on lifestyle. This was
never the case.

Concerning the home’s tidiness, I understand the living room and dining
table were not left perfectly to your standards on one occasion, and for
that I have apologised many times. I did clean dishes, tidy spaces, and
care for your children responsibly. One oversight — a lasagne stain on the
dining table — should not be exaggerated into a reflection of my entire
work ethic or character.

Finally, I deeply regret that some comments were made in front of the
children while I was trying to gather more information about what happened
after I left. I should have handled that differently and apologise
sincerely for it. However, personal insults about my future family or my
character are entirely uncalled for.

I genuinely enjoyed spending time with your children, who are bright, kind,
and welcoming. Unfortunately, the working environment you created was
uncomfortable and hostile, which made the experience far more difficult
than it needed to be.

I wish you and your family the very best moving forward and hope you find a
childcare arrangement that better fits your needs. I am grateful for the
experience and will continue to reflect and improve my services based on
professional feedback.

That said, I stand by my warning to other childcare providers to ensure
they are treated respectfully in any working arrangement.

Take care, Lucia, and best wishes to your family.