Mel

Mel is great and we love her setting.

We needed Mel for emergency childcare and she was so nice to help us so short notice. My little one was happy to spend the days with her and enjoyed all activities and outings. She also loved Mel’s home cooked meals. She devoured everything! It was so reassuring for us to receive photos and updates during the day! I definitely recommend Mel and she’s now our first point of contact for childcare! We also loved her setting full with adequate resources! Can’t recommend her enough.

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by Catalina on 25/10/2023

Response by Mel on 26/10/2023:

Thank you for your kind reviews Catalina.

Great setting!

Mel looked after our daughter for 3.5 years, during this time she learnt a lot, had great experiences, made great friends and became very confident. She enjoyed trips, where she got to explore; gained great social skills from the intimate setting; expanded her palate, eating a variety of food; and developed her creativity using different materials to create art.

Our daughter looked forward to attending Mel's setting and 6 months after leaving still says how much she misses her. Mel always ensured that she captured and shared our daughter engaging in activities and having fun - meaning we have a fantastic catalogue of our daughter's development and growth.

If you are looking for a childcare setting where your child will learn in fun and creative ways, gain necessary skills and enjoy great experiences then I would highly recommend Mel's Darlings.

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by joanne on 05/10/2023

Response by Mel on 06/10/2023:

Thank you for kind words Joanna. Love to Noa😘

Great!

Mel looked after my boy from 9 months until 3 years old and our experience has been wonderful! They went out to everything and everywhere! He learned soo much as Mel was always having them out and about- he’s even used the Elizabeth line before me 😂 as they went on a ride with Mel just after they opened.

Mel makes a variety of meals from different cultures so they have not missed any experience that is afforded to them.

My boy has gained good friends and had so many learning opportunities that he maybe would not have got in a big setting. I have no complaints and wish we could have stayed longer if we didn’t move so far!

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by Nadine J on 15/09/2023

Response by Mel on 15/09/2023:

Thank you for your amazing feedback Nadine. Lots of love to Ezra and Ethan💙💙

The best!

Mel has looked after both of my sons (now 3 & 6) and I couldn't recommend her more! The children are always up to something, whether it's cooking, days out to playgroups or the park, working on number and shape recognition - they're never not busy (I honestly marvel at Mel's energy level).
We can also credit Mel with my 3 year old now absolutely loving broccoli - it's the first thing he will eat off his plate. It's so wonderful how the amazing home cooked meals (every day!) have opened up their palettes and the regular photos we get even make my tummy rumble, absolutely delicious!
A little sad to be writing this review as my youngest moves into full time school nursery in September and it really feels like the end of an era. Thank you Mel for everything x

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by Lucy on 30/06/2023

Response by Mel on 30/06/2023:

Thank you for your kind words Lucy 😍😘 Will definitely see the boys around x

We will Miss you xxx

Mel looked after my son full time for nearly 3 years until we had to move. She is an excellent childminder and goes out of her way to keep the children busy, entertained and educated. My son enjoyed his trips to the park and spending time with his friends there. I would definitely recommend Mel to anyone as she is absolutely amazing. Her daily updates of what the kids were doing an eating always kept me at ease while at work. We will miss you Mel 💖

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by Char on 12/05/2021

Excellent Child Minder

I've seen Mel picking up kids from my son's preschool for 2 years and the kids always seem happy to see her. When I needed someone on ad-hoc basis I contacted Mel and she was very accommodating. I was leaving my 2 and 4 year old for the first time with someone other than family and they had a great time at Mel's! They couldn't wait to go back again. Mel was constantly updating me with their pictures and what they were upto.

I will definitely use Mel again for my childcare needs.

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by Zara_Nav on 03/09/2020

Excellent childminder - highly recommended

Mel looked after my son for 5 years and my daughter for 3 years. We were very sad to leave Mel when we moved out of the area- It felt like she was part of our family.
Mel is an excellent childminder who really cares about the children she looks after and always has their best interests at heart.
Mel organises a wide range of age appropriate activities - for example ballet classes at the local leisure centre, trips to the park, baking and arts and crafts. Sun or rain there’s always a fun activity to do!
Mels setting is a lovely, purpose built nursery In her garden with great facilities. She offers the children a healthy and varied menu, with fresh food prepared everyday.
My children were very happy there and I highly recommend her service.

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by MrsCox on 18/08/2020

The best childminder ever!

As a first time mum it took me ages to decide the best childcare for my little one. Only now I know that I chose the best.
Mel creates a perfect balance between indoors and outdoors, allowing children to learn from their environment in a casual and fun way.
I see other parents who chose well known nurseries, not trusting what the carers say they've eaten or just reading from a journal what they've done or how much they've slept. I got pictures of everything she was doing in real time, which during the first few days, gives you a complete peace of mind.
She truly loves children and it is that passion what makes our children love their time with her.
We will miss you Mel! xx

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by Cristina on 17/08/2020

First-Class Childminder

My son has been in Mel's Darlings for 2 years and as a first time mum, I know straightaway that my son will be in a safe, clean and happy place. My son has developed very good manners, writing and reading skills thanks to Mel.
Mel is extremely committed professional, always giving children her full attention, she is very proactive, flexible, reliable and easy to talk childminder.
Mel also sends photos of delicious meals, healthy snacks and various activities during the day ( ballet classes, library visits, soft plays, indoor and outdoor activities).
I was very lucky that Mel could babysit my son on several occasions. I can't thank her enough for all her help.

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by Dagmar on 25/08/2019

Excellent Childminder

Mel has looked after my daughter for 4 years. Mel started looking after my daughter when she was 1 y/o. My daughter loves going to her place, she’s one the key person why my daughter has develop so much in the past years, this is evident when I had positive feedback from my child’s nursery teacher.Mel provides and support with wide variety of activities (indoor & outdoor) (from ballet , music & movement, library visits, soft play, trampoline, arts & craft, practice writing, forest school and many more) that is age appropriate and benefits my child development.
She’s honest, trustworthy and flexible. She helped us a lot as we do not have family around to depend on.
It was very sad for us to leave her as we are moving to a different school location far from her.
And I can’t thank her enough from helping us through the years.

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by Lea on 12/08/2019