Hello all,

I highly highly recommend Bernadette as a childminder.

My child started to go to Bernadette in June 2021 when she was 9 months.
As she is my first child; I spent a long time look for a childminder reading reviews and looking for recommendations from people in work etc!

I was really nervous about the process as my daughter had not been around other children and people in general due to the lock down.
I arranged to see Bernadette and within minutes I just knew she was the right person.
My daughter warmed to her immediately and so did I.
She really made us feel at ease and was so welcoming and friendly.
This was before I met her husband and her children who are are just so lovely and kind.

Bernadette is a really experienced childminder and mother of 3 lovely boys.
As a first time mother I really valued her guidance and advice which often provided me with so much reassurance. She was always really encouraging when I was feeling frazzled and just really gave me a boost when dropping off and collecting my daughter.

Bernadette's setting is very well organised and she has everything a child could need!
She is near a park and my daughter had regular access to the outdoors which was really important to me.
Bernadette really listened to my preferences as a parent and also checked in with me about what she was planning etc. Her communication is excellent and she sends pictures and an overview of the day; food , naps, nappies which was really useful.
Bernadette is really active in terms of activities ; doing lots of arts , crafts, story time , going outdoors and other games. It really is a fun setting for children and my daughter was so happy there.

The setting is very much like a family environment, her partner and children get involved in the childminding also and were all so brilliant with my daughter.
I noticed my daughter had been reacting negatively towards men which I explained to Bernadette and by the end of the first day she was best friends with Bernadette's partner and her youngest son.
They all formed such a lovely bond with her , it was so heart-warming.
I often saw the interactions between which was just so amazing and genuine.

Each morning Bernadette opened the door my daughters face would light up, she was so happy to be there and never cried when I was leaving and I think she would have happily stayed there when I went to pick her up!
I did not have any concerns about my daughter being there and she barely entered my mind when I was in work so I was able to completely focus on my job as I just felt so reassured. It really felt like I was leaving her with a family member.
Bernadette provided food which was varied and healthy which included snacks during the day.
She was also open to my daughter's preferences and anything I asked was never a problem.
Bernadette is just so approachable and kind.

Bernadette has a genuine love for children and she really treats the children like her family. She has had people in her care for years and when she talked about them moving onto to school I could see how attached she was to the children, it was amazing to see someone with such passionate and genuine care.

I have now moved to Ireland and that is the only reason that my daughter is no longer attending Happy days.
The process of the move was a little bit complicated and at times overwhelming.
Bernadette and her family were so kind and amazing during this time as life was chaotic for me.
Bernadette was really flexible with me during a difficult time and I will never the kindness she has shown to me and my daughter.
During the time that my daughter attended Bernadette's childcare I was able to return to work and complete a masters which I thought was really not possible and had planned to ask for an extension, however Bernadette was so encouraging and not only showed care to my daughter but also to me. I was so delighted to achieve this and could not have done it without her and her family.

During the time with Bernadette my daughter really progressed in terms of development , she quickly got the hang of walking and is so good at socialising with others. What really impressed me is that my daughter really shares with other children which is such a lovely character that no doubt Bernadette has thought the other children.
When dropping and collecting my daughter I often met the other children arriving who interacted with my daughter so well and I could see they were also really happy to be there.

As a family we were so impressed with Bernadette and her family ; we had considered staying.
We know we found someone really special in Bernadette and feel so lucky that my daughter had such a good start in life.

Also her rates are so reasonable and she is really fair when it comes to charging.

My daughter and I miss the family so much and really really grateful for everything. x

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
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• Communication