Rachel

Best childcare there is !

Our two children have spend the best part of their early age at Jellybeans , and they loved just about every moment they've had with Rachel, Adrian and their lovely Jellybeans friends and family. The care and attention provided for the children are second to none. The support and encouragement given to the children to explore and be creative through a variety of fun activities has to be commended as well. We can see the growth in our children through their time at Jellybeans.
Thank you for everything , Rachel and Jellybeans fam! Highly recommended.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by ka ching on 18/08/2021

The best childcare we've had

Rachel and Adrian took great care of our little one. We followed attachment and gentle parenting methods, as well as long term breastfeeding and were a bit nervous leaving our baby with someone else for the first time. They were great. Rachel always carries a sling around her waist and our little one spent most of his time there while he was settling in. They are such a loving family and very responsive carers. Communication has always been great. Our little one always looked forward to going there and made great friends. It was amazing to have kids of different ages. My child learnt how to be gentle with the little ones and how to stand his ground with bigger kids when he needs to! Rachel was also really supportive of us using cloth nappies and actually gave me good advice about how to manage them.

We were really sad to leave Jellybeans when we moved away. It's really difficult to find anything to even match it.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Victoria on 24/09/2020

Attachment based childminder, pro breastfeeding

I feel compelled to write this review, even though I have been unable to go with Rachel as she had no spaces so we had to go with someone closer.

As a Counsellor focussed on attachment ( and one who practices AP and who is still breastfeeding strong at 19 months) It was very important for me to choose a childminder carefully. Rachel's profile is the only one who stood out with these values listed. Whilst it was a quite a bit out of the way for me in Canary Wharf, closest to Mudchute DLR, I felt it was worth the visit for the childcare. I read the previous reviews, and was reassured, particularly given we had a bad experience at a local nursery.

Rachel met me with her daughter ( 2.5yrs approx) in a back carry and I felt encouraged immediately; She easily got her daughter in and out of the sling - better than me for sure - very well practiced! She had a couple/ few other children and her nice assistant there too. Rachel was welcoming, warm, straightforward and confident, and most importantly values driven. She had extended breastfed herself and I felt understood the needs of breastfed children and she confirmed that most of the children she looks after have been breastfed. She showed me certificates from positive parenting courses she has attended as was able to explain well to me how she implements it. Her paperwork was very well organised and she sends pics via an app to update parents. I didn't notice a TV - the children were doing a focused activity on a table in the kitchen with lots of dried pasta and tongs - pen grasp activities for motor skills. I have to say after visiting other childminders whose TVs, Ipads etc were all on with the kids during visit (!!), it made such a nice change. Rachel's huge garden is a bonus.

With regards to settling in, Rachel was flexible to my daughter's needs, understanding my concerns around leaving her in one go, and was able to offer me 'playdates' over the summer even though I was looking for term time only childcare.

I thoroughly recommend this lady for a visit particularly if you are like me, driven by the values of Attachment parenting or are extended breastfeeding. Also if you like children doing crafts and playing outside!

Sad you are not closer and had space Rachel.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Hannah on 11/04/2019

Loving and gentle home from home environment

I was looking for a childminder in Tower Hamlets who would be gentle with my son having not attended any childcare settings before and who would utilise the sling if needed so when I was recommended Rachel by a local parents group online I was so excited to view her setting.
We instantly fell in love with her place and my little boy started playing with her toys straight away. She shows interest in his development, speech and wellbeing and he is always clean and dry when I collect him
Rachel sends daily updates of what he is getting up to with her and they are always doing interactive and varied activities to help them learn and provide stimulation.
The settling period was made as easy as possible when my little boy spent time cuddling in the sling when he was upset which I was really pleased with as it's exactly what we do at home to settle him.
Meals are healthy and home cooked with plenty of snacks provided suitable for the children's ages.
I can't fault Rachel and all the other children plus my son seem content and well cared for

Many thanks from Lorrelle and Patrick xx

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by LollyD on 21/09/2018

Response by Rachel on 22/09/2018:

I've felt informed and inspired by your gentle, attached parenting methods, it's been a pleasure working with you guys.

The best childminder!!!

Our experience with Rachel has been fantastic.
Our son has been at Jellybeans since he was 10 months old. He settled in very well soon after he started and he has been very happy.
Rachel is professional, experienced and trustworthy. When we leave our son with her we know he is happy and safe.
Rachel is very creative and constantly comes up with new, fun activities.
Our favorite thing is the daily updates with pictures of our son's smiley face and observations including early years foundation stages.
Rachel has helped our son to develop in many ways including speech ability, social interaction and independence.
We will always be thankful for all Rachel's efforts and highly recommend Jellybeans.
Big thank you, Rachel!

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Parent on 16/03/2018

Response by Rachel on 19/03/2018:

Such a pleasure to work with Aleks and his family. :)

A great 2 years with Jellybeans/ Rachel

My daughter Ella did not settle well in at our local nursery. Rachel's setting was small with a motherly touch! Ella loved every day at Jellybeans. I have 2 older kids in school and for us as a family the term time only setting worked very well and was more cost effective. Rachel did the pick-up and drop-off at my older kids school, which made our lives easier. Rachel is also very flexible, when i needed extra days or longer hours she was always willing and able to look after Ella. I would strongly recommend this setting.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Parent on 19/05/2017

Fabulously caring and fun!

Rachel has cared for my daughter for over eighteen months now and I have absolutely no hesitation in wholeheartedly recommending her! She is full of integrity and is utterly trustworthy, professional and easy to communicate with, flexible, creative and deeply caring. Cleo warmed to Rachel immediately and runs to her with great enthusiasm when she sees her in the mornings, eager to start the day. I know that she is brilliantly taken care of and that means I can relax and concentrate on my work knowing that she is safe and happy and will be having a fun-filled day. We could not be happier with the care she is receiving at Jellybeans.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Parent on 18/04/2017