I’ve been meaning to write this review for a while, not least of all because I remember agonising over the decision of picking someone to look after our precious one year old. We looked at a range of childminding settings but Rhianna stood out as being someone who would individualise care and keep our son safe and happy. She immediately put us at ease and she is not only highly qualified but also probably the most organised person we know.

Unfortunately COVID-19 struck towards the end of my maternity leave so I was faced with leaving an incredibly clingy boy who knew no one but us and our home. Rhianna was brilliant and had him settled within a matter of sessions …. Although it’s a little sad when your son runs straight into someone else’s home and settles right in without saying goodbye to you, knowing that he’s happy and comfortable in his second home with Rhianna is priceless and I don’t worry about him one bit during the day. Of course, it helps that Rhianna keeps us posted with what he’s up to and sends us photos of the cool bits!

Our son also had a milk allergy when he first started at Rhianna’s and she was brilliant at catering for this …. Including making a late night trip to Asda for vegan cheese in preparation for his arrival. Rhianna then had an active role in completing a ‘milk ladder’ with us and weaning him slowly onto normal milk.

Our son has been going to Rhianna’s now for coming up 18 months and there is no doubt in my mind that we have made the right decision. Rhianna offers a true ‘home from home’ setting and her own daughter (aged 6) is a huge asset as she takes pride in helping to care for her mum’s little mindees as well. On the odd occasion Rhianna’s hubby Steve is at home during the day, it’s not uncommon for my son to insist he reads him story upon story. Lockdown aside, Rhianna is brilliant at taking the children out most days and they benefit from all manner of activities: playgroups, Jo Jingles classes (which are a huge hit with the kids) and lots of visits to Leeds Castle, Kent Life and the like. She has a weekly theme and always celebrates seasonal activities like pumpkin picking for Halloween, a visit to the temple to celebrate Diwali, a full Christmas dinner and a Christmas party. During lockdown, there was never a dull moment and although the indoor visits had to stop, Rhianna had the children doing all sorts of crafts / baking / role play and did things like taking my son on a walk to spot buses when he was particularly interested in them (until it was safe for her to take him on a bus ride!) She also has an amazing garden with lots of interesting toys, cars, swings and a playhouse. The children grew beans this year and raised some butterflies from caterpillars.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Rhianna and I’m so pleased we found her. Our son’s development has come on leaps and bounds with her and I trust her judgement so much that I often pick her brains on how to handle the parenting when it gets tricky.

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