Charlotte (Char Char to my girls) has been a childminder to both my girls since they were 6 months old. She then continued childminding but after my second baby also gave us one day a week nannying, as well as babysitting for my husband and I (I am a doctor and my husband is a fireman so we work varying hours). I cannot recommend her enough. I asked my children what they would say about Char Char. My 3.5 year old said "I love her. I love it when she comes to my house". My 5.5 year old said "She is really nice, she paints faces and takes us to the zoo".
I have absolute trust in Charlotte. She provided excellent care for my girls as babies, working with their routines (and with their complete loss of routines when they were being the fickle creatures that babies can be) and ensuring they went out everyday, ate healthy food and had an appropriate amount of sleep in real cots. They are naturally very attached to her - both my girls are now in school/preschool so see Char Char less. They recently had a day with her and my 5 year old was counting down the sleeps until the day arrived. (Enough said - she is the equivalent of Christmas.)
Charlotte has taken the children to so many different places and is always looking up new or topical places to visit. They have attended weekly classes, visited playgroups, farms, zoos, museums, parks, soft play and created many prized pieces of art. They have baked and learned to help cook and enjoyed a lot of messy play (oh, and painted faces -see above). In the summer they have been to paddling pools and picnics and played ball games - the list goes on.
When I was looking for childcare I visited every person with a space for a 6 month old within the two boroughs we lived and worked. At that time Charlotte was working with Jane Dainty as co-childminders. I came away knowing they were the one. I hope you find the same because I have never worried or had cause to doubt my decision. Charlotte is outstanding.

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