Clara Mackay's Reviews
Childminder
5 out of 5
Parent reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Clara Mackay. 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.
I feel very lucky to have had Clara Mackay take care of my children over the years. Her dedication to creating a warm nurturing environment for children to learn, grow and have fun is exceptional.
Clara provides balanced and wholesome meals, emphasising the importance of healthy eating habits with each child. This attention to nutrition has had a positive impact on my children's well-being, and I appreciate the care she puts into ensuring they have delicious home-cooked meals every day.
Beyond the practical aspects of childcare, Clara brings an incredible warmth and love to her role. Her genuine affection for the children is palpable, creating a sense of security and trust. The special touch she adds to every interaction is what makes her truly exceptional. Clara infuses fun into each day, making learning an enjoyable experience.
I can wholeheartedly recommend Clara Mackay to any parent seeking a childminder who not only prioritises safety and nutrition but also brings a genuine warmth and fun to the daily lives of the children she cares for.
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Nicola
on 29/11/2023
Clara is a fantastic childminder and a lovely human.
The moment I drop my son off he doesn’t even look back to say goodbye as he is so content and at home.
She has a great selection of toys. She is not afraid to get her hands dirty and do something creative with the children.
The children get outside for fresh air weather permitting including walks, and excursions.
Clara also makes sure the children eat healthy snacks and home made food which i she’s passionate about. She also keeps us well informed on what the children get up to each day with photos and messages. I’m thankful every day that we found Clara because I feel comfortable leaving my child in her care. Highly recommend.!!
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Natasha
on 29/10/2023
Clara has been my daughter's childminder for the last 6 months. My daughter started with Clara when she was 6 months old and I was naturally anxious about leaving her for the first time. Clara put my mind at ease, she sends me regular updates and photos, and it's a joy to see how well my daughter has settled in with Clara. Her development has come on in leaps and bounds and she is always smiling when we pick her up. Clara offers lots of different activities and experiences for the children and there are always a variety of themes to match the seasons. It's also nice that the children are learning a new language. Clara also offers amazing home-cooked food and fresh fruit and snacks. Clara is very flexible and accommodating and I am really pleased with the home-from-home environment that my daughter gets. We couldn't have got a better childminder for our circumstances.
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Steph
on 25/01/2023
Clara has looked after all 3 of my girls at some stage from newborn to school age.
All of my children haved loved to be with Clara and enjoy learning Spanish, going out locally and the wonderful hearty Spanish food too! We will miss the lovely photographs of all of the activities completed during the day.
I would not hesitate to recommend Clara to friends and family.
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Louise
on 02/04/2022
My daughter has been going to Clara’s childminding service since she was 7 months old, she is now 3 years Old.
The experience has been amazing, Clara is so friendly, caring and welcoming. Whilst with Clara my daughter has developed so much and has benefited from great days out, fun filled activities and home cooking. I get lots of feedback and regular photos from their days out and activities. My line of work can be difficult and Clara has always been flexible and accommodating. My daughter loves going to Clara’s and as soon as she gets up is asking to go! She’s even learned some Spanish! I will continue to use her services until she moves to school and would thoroughly recommend Clara.
Clara is not just my daughters childminder she is like family. Xxx
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Alicia
on 30/03/2022
My daughter has been with Clara 2 days a week for over a year now. Sadly she will be leaving to venture on to her new preschool in January.
I cannot put in to words how AMAZING Clara is with the children. Her house is warming and cosy and she is extremely welcoming and professional. I wouldn’t hesitate to send my daughter back to Clara’s if I ever required her services during the holidays.
My daughter has learned so much in Clara’s care and she absolutely loves her cooking, as do I… her house always smells beautiful :-)
This lady is truly a treasure and I cannot thank her enough for Daisy’s progress in this past year.
Thank you so much!!! Xxx
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Danielle
on 18/11/2021
After seeing many nursery's, we decided a childminder would be the best option for henry, we saw a few xhildminders but didjt feel like they was the one!!..... then we met clara and we have never been happier!
Instantly upon meeting clara, she made me feel relaxed and at ease, my little boy henry instantly took to clara within minutes of being welcomed into her home.
I was apprehensive on my first day at work and leaving henry for the first time, clara kept me updated throughout the day on how he was doing and I can honestly say that put me at ease so much and I had nothing to worry about, he enjoyed himself so much on his first day.
Clara is so warn and welcoming, she is an amazing cook too, she loves to cook fresh helathy food for the children's meals and henry just loves her cooking.
Whilst being at claras Henry has tried new foods, that I would never have thought to try.
I can honestly say its such a lovely feeling knowing that your child feels safe and happy whilst away from you, she constantly sends you updates on what they have done throughout the day, that could be playing in the garden, painting, dancing, going to the park or even learning some Spanish!!
Henry enjoys going to Clara's so much, he now waves us goodbye by at the door, he is so happy in Clara's care, she is warm and welcoming and I couldn't be happier that henry goes to this lovely lady!
Keep up the wonderful work Clara
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Michelle
on 08/08/2020
Buenos días Clara.
Just to let you know XXXXXX has been on time for school everyday so far, in fact we are the 1st ones to arrive :-) she's super keen, really enjoying it and making lots of new friends.
Thank you for all you have done!!!
Your help in making her what she is now.
Your help in building good solid foundations for her, she now has these to build upon, for her life's learning journey.
She's is looking forward to seeing you soon to tell you all about her school days and the new path in her learning journey!
Eternally grateful to you!!!
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papadad
on 20/02/2020
After meeting several childminders and not being convinced a childminder would be the best option over nursery, woody and I had the pleasure of meeting Clara. I instantly had a good feeling as she was very attentive during all my/woodys visits. Clara made me feel very relaxed, at ease and welcome within minutes of being in her home.
After months of settling my daughter into her childminder years before woody was born I was understandably anxious that woody may be the same however after 2 weeks of cuddles, singing and delicious meals at Clara's, I can safely say I had nothing to worry about. Woody instantly took to Clara and appeared to feel at ease and happy with her and the other children she cares for. Clara exudes a kindness and genuine happiness when in the company of children that you feel this when you are in their company during drop off or collection which is at different times of the day many times...
Clara collects from school and cares for my 5 year old daughter Isla twice a week also so that woody and her can spend some time together. Due to Islas nervous disposition I was again concerned how she would settle but I needn't have worried as Isla settled as quickly as woody this time and is particularly fond of Clara and Clara's mum who has a history of caring for children also and who visits from Spain now and again.
Isla and woody are not particularly big eaters but they always seem to ask for seconds when Clara cooks some of her special dishes which are always healthy and tasty, I've even tried out one of her recipes my daughter enjoyed it so much.
It's a wonderful feeling to see your children run into a care providers and not look back for you, knowing that whilst you work they are shown love, understanding and encouraged to learn through music, toys, trips to libraries or walks to the park or organized activities.
Clara always has a smile on her face and is always willing to chat about any concerns I have re my children etc and Ivan confidently confirm that my children feel at home in Claras care which to me means the world!
My husband and I also love the unique fact that Clara teaches the children Spanish and that woody already recognizes many basic Spanish words!
Keep up the wonderful work Clara
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Justine
on 26/10/2018
Our little man went to a nursery from 9 to 20 months but felt he wasn’t very settled.
Since attending ‘Little Ninos', we noticed a huge improvement in his confidence, language and vocabulary! We believe the care and commitment from Clara has considerably contributed to his development.
Clara is a very active and enthusiastic child-minder who takes the children out daily, be that to the Local Park, playgroup, library and meeting with other child-minders. Having a typical boy, the constant outside activities has enhanced his development by stimulating his social, learning and creative skills.
Further, our little boy has a few food allergies. Clara just takes this in her stride and has always been excellent at providing a range of healthy home cooked meals and snacks. Our little boy loves making food with her and we have continued this in our home.
Her home is always clean and tidy with a garden our little boys loves to play in.
Clara always provides us with 1:1 time to discuss development and any queries we may have. She genuinely loves her children and adapts her approach to the individual child and their needs.
A testament to her exceptional care is the results of our boys two year routine check. The assessor stated that he had excellent communication skills and outstanding vocabulary for his age. Perhaps she was impressed that our boy could name body parts in English and Spanish. Thank you Clara!
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SimonCul
on 01/02/2018
My wife and I have known Clara for a number of years and have heard nothing but excellent reviews from people who have used her to look after their children. Therefore with our daughter there was absolutely no question of who we would want to look after her. Clara is a friendly, energetic and enthusiastic childminder who obviously loves looking after children. Her home is clean and tidy and the children treated as if they were her own. She makes our daughter feel comfortable and at home when she is there and our daughter absolutely loves going. We would highly recommend Clara for anybody seeking a childminder.
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on 15/03/2017
We found Clara after our second daughter Gabriella still hadn't settled at nursery after 9 months. Although other childminders that we'd visited seemed good, Clara by far stood out as being the most passionate about children and their wellbeing.
Her home is so welcoming, with the playroom offering lots of opportunities for the children to choose toys/activities for themselves. She is also brave enough to let them paint etc. in her kitchen and we received some lovely creations at Christmas time that they had made! Even though Gabriella only started at the beginning of winter, they still get wrapped up warm and enjoy the fresh air in Clara's garden, playing with water, chalk boards and other outdoor toys.
Clara normally makes plans for the morning, such as playgroups, parks or going to other childminders houses/having them round to her house so the children can socialise with others. I know our daughter feels secure with Clara as she will go off and play knowing that Clara's there if she needs her. I think it's great how Clara understands how children need that in order to explore independently and we share the belief that you can't spoil a child with affection! She will comfort Gabriella if she is feeling overwhelmed, upset, tired, etc. This is undoubtedly why she settled so quickly with Clara and is now thriving. After just 3 months of being with Clara for 3 days a week our little girl is so much happier!
I feel completely able to discuss any concerns I may have about Gabriella, as Clara is always genuinely interested and I value her advice as both childcare provider and mum. She always has time for you and provides good feedback at the end of the day. She is also very flexible with each individual child and adapts to suit them (within reason). For example, for the first month or so Clara found Gabriella liked to nap in her pram rather than in the playroom so that wasn't a problem! After that Gabriella decided it was comfier in the reclining chair where she now enjoys sleeping, showing they are given choices and their preferences are respected.
Our daughter also loves Clara's cooking. The nutritious homemade meals go down a treat, sometimes even second helpings! Healthy snacks are provided during the day and she ensures drinks are regularly offered.
Overall I can't recommend Clara enough and we have already arranged for our third child to start later in the year!
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on 22/01/2017
Clara was highly recommended to us by a friend.
The time to find the most suitable childcare for our one year old little girl had arrived.
It is such a daunting experience,I suppose it is all new,however such a huge responsibility.We wanted as parents to find the most suitable care,which covers a whole range of factors,ranging from learning,creating,social skills,healthy food,being made to feel welcome and comfortable in your surroundings.The list goes on.......
We can safely say,we went to visit Clara at 'Little Ninos',we where made to feel so welcome.
We have never looked back.
Clara takes time to provide the best for the children in her care.Her home and family also show this.
Taking pride in everything that she does.It is a pleasure to drop off in a morning,just to see the carefully thought up playroom,with different themes.
Clara also visits the local children's centres,parks and libraries.
We are kept informed by a daily record book.
Another valuable aspect is the way Clara teaches the children Spanish words and some basics.It is amazing how much they pick up,coming home reciting the words,it is just wonderful to hear.
We feel like we can talk to Clara at anytime about any anxieties or just to speak about the happy little things that happen.
Having a good healthy diet is also very important,this is certainly no problem.Clara provides home cooked food and a variety of healthy snacks.Alongside this ensuring that the children get involved with the preparation etc.
As it was time for our little girl to move onto school,we where just happy that we could carry on seeing Clara.
Yes,without a doubt we then sent our second little girl to 'Little Ninos'.
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on 25/09/2016
I cannot rate or recommend Clara highly enough!
We heard about Clara on recommendation after much searching as to the most appropriate childcare option for our family and I have to say it has been one of the best decisions we have made. Clara, her home and family are warm and welcoming and from our first introduction, we knew we had found the right person to look after our little girl. Clara fills the days with activities and trips and structures the day around the children including nap times and quiet activities. Clara cooks home cooked fresh food, which was reassuring for us and as Clara is Spanish she talks to our little girl in spanish, teaching her words and phrases and she is picking these up and repeating words with ease which we were really pleased and surprised with. Clara and family treat our little girl as part of the family and always take time to update us on the day they have had and how she has been when we pick her up. The ultimate testament really is that our little girl is evidently happy being with Clara.....and if she is happy, then to us, that is all that matters!
I would recommend Clara to anyone without hesitation and cannot thank her and her family enough and we would be lost without her!
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on 08/09/2016
Clara has provided everything that is important to us when considering childcare for our little boy. Our little boy is now 3 ½ and Clara has been caring for him since he was 12 x months old. He initially attended 3 x days a week a now attends for 4 full days. He is extremely happy, confident, sociable, kind and caring and we believe Clara has contributed massively to his development.
When considering childcare options I visited several nurseries in the area but found that these did not provide the full package of rounded care that was important for us, such as play, socialisation, and nutrition in a homely environment. I had seen Clara at the local library/play centre before my little boy was born and I can remember how happy the children were with her and how she interacted positively with them. Clara was also recommended to us by another parent whose children are cared for by her. When I met with Clara for the first time I knew straight away that she was the right person to look after our child. She was genuine, warm, caring and most importantly saw my child as a little individual with his own personality.
Clara ensures that she provides a full and varied range of activities for the children she cares for. Every day is planned with new and interesting things for our child to experience. She supports children to local community facilities such as the library and community centre where children can play and interact with other children in a safe environment. She takes them to the library on a regular basis where they enjoy story time. Clara is mindful in making the most of outdoor space which is really important for play, particularly for boys! either in her own garden with a range of messy play and outdoor toys or making use of the local countryside such as Birkacre, Duxbury and Astley Park.
Our little boy loves baking with her and as well as painting and making things.
Clara provides excellent, homemade meals which is really important given we had taken the time to start our little boy on home prepared meals using fresh products from an early age. Our little boy loves his meals at Clara’s and has developed a healthy interest in food. There is no fussy eating in our house given he enjoys a range of flavours in some of the Spanish food she prepares. This passion shines through when discussing the mealtimes at drop offs.
Clara always provides us with 1:1 time to discuss and share any anxieties. She always gives us time in the mornings and at the end of the day to talk about our little boy’s day. She provides a communication book which we have enjoyed completing and provides an interesting copy of our child’s development when we read it back. Clara sends us lots of photographs at the end of each week which again we have been able to keep and look back on as our child has developed and grown.
Our little boy loves learning his numbers and days of the week in Spanish and this is something we would like to continue to develop with him once he moves on to school. He often comes home with a new song learnt during the day.
We would certainly recommend Clara to anyone who is seeking individualised care in a safe and homely environment. Our child settled very quickly with her which was really reassuring when I returned to work from maternity leave. Clara is just brilliant and her passion and energy for looking after children is always evident.
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on 21/03/2016
We now have our third child in the care of Clara. It is immediately obvious when you meet Clara that she genuinely cares for the children she has. There is always a happy atmosphere at her house. Clara is very patient with our children (far more than us!)
After care, food is our next most important requirement. We believe when children eat well and eat properly they thrive; behaviour is better, learning is promoted and above all the child remains healthy. Clara cooks a ‘proper’ lunch everyday. She is passionate about food and this shows. She introduces to new food to the children as appropriate.
Clara regularly attends various local events and gives the children chance to socialise in larger groups. This is important to us and we are glad she does this. She also arranges regular meet ups with other child minders in the area. I know that our children particularly enjoy this.
Clara will devote however much time you like at either end of the day to discuss things. We receive a thorough report every day on each of the children. We also receive weekly emails with lots of photos of all the actives done each week.
Language - As en extra bonus to the points above, Clara teaches the children Spanish words and sentences. Our eldest two children know many Spanish words and sentences, they seem to enjoy learning this (probably because they like Clara), hence besides making them feel good, they already have a distinct advantage.
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on 02/03/2016
