Donna Cartmell's Reviews

The most special childminders!

I cannot recommend Donna and Graeme enough! My little girl has been with them since she had just turned one and they have provided her with lovely care and have given her some special experiences too. On childminder days, my little girl rushes into their home and talks affectionately about them all of the time at home too.

Their activities always follow the children’s interests and I love to see the photos of what my little girl has been up to each day. She is just about to turn three and over the last two years, Donna and Graeme have looked after her so well and I couldn’t have asked for a better start in life for her!

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by Lucy about Donna Cartmell on 17/10/2023

Response by Donna Cartmell on 17/10/2023:

That’s lovely to hear 😍thank you ☺️

Excellent, outstanding care

Our son loved his time in Donna and Graeme's care. He spent many happy years with them before moving onto secondary school and we were sad to leave our routine with them. It really does feel like they become extended family and I can't recommend them highly enough. They are highly organised, thoughtful, kind, caring and fun. The activities they offer are a great mix and the diary notes and photos were a highlight to share later at home. Food was carefully chosen and always enjoyed. Friendships are encouraged amongst the children and personal interests considered which reflects the care and thought they have for each child as an individual. We knew we were lucky to have our son in Donna and Graeme's care. We were sad to say goodbye!

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by Caroline about Donna Cartmell on 14/06/2022

Response by Donna Cartmell on 17/10/2023:

Thank you 😃

Amazing childminders

My daughter has sadly just finished her time with Donna and Graeme as she has started secondary school. She has been with them for childcare for being a baby up until 11.

I cannot recommend Donna and Graeme highly enough. I’m always very cautious about making recommendations to close friends and family as it’s huge responsibility. However, I didn’t hesitate to recommend Donna and Graeme to both my sister and close friend who still use their services now because I had no doubts they would be as happy as I have been to leave their children in their care.

My daughter always received the perfect balance of learning and discipline together with fun, laughter and friendship. I was so quickly at ease leaving my daughter with Donna and Graeme and I never expected that possible. I always felt she was safe and that her best interests were taken care of. She has enjoyed so many aspects of her time with them and they will always be a fond memory of her childhood for us both. Having confidence in the people taking care of your children is priceless and I have always had every confidence with Donna and Graeme

I would strongly recommend visiting the setting they provide because once you meet them and see the lovely home environment they offer I’m confident that your concerns about leaving your children would be eased as they were for me.

Thank you both for the care and support you have given us over the the years. It has been invaluable and made the chore of going to work a little less painful!

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by Sarah about Donna Cartmell on 23/05/2022

Response by Donna Cartmell on 17/10/2023:

Ahh thank you 😊

Amazing childminders

My son attended Little Gigglers from 2019-2020. From the very beginning it was evident how amazing the care was going to be by Donna and Graeme as my son warmed to them both instantly . Their home accommodated all of his learning and care needs perfectly with lots of space and resources for his time there. Hugo always looked forward to his time there and especially enjoyed all of the days out that were planned on different occasions. I always felt at ease that my son was in the best hands whenever he was left in Donna and Graeme’s care . Hugo’s development come on leaps and bounds in the time he was cared for and this was always recorded and accessible for me to view through an app on my phone to view what actives / any additional information throughout the day.
Communication with Donna and Graeme was always easy and they were always very accommodating to work with my shift patterns at the time or even on occasion had Hugo for me if I had taken ill, this kind of support was always very appreciated.
I couldn’t recommend a better place for anyone looking for childcare and I think that their influences on Hugo have been invaluable . Hugo now sees both Donna and Graeme on his way to school and although he is not now in attendance of their care , he will always run to catch up / talk to them both and I think that shows how amazing they are to make such a lasting impression years later . They treat Hugo like he was one of their own and I will always be grateful for their amazing care and the start they gave him in his learning .

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by Chloe about Donna Cartmell on 23/05/2022

Excellent Childcare

From the moment I stepped through the door to Donna & Graeme's welcoming home environment I knew my children would be safe and well looked after whilst I returned to work.

Both my children started when they were 9 months old and Donna and Graeme were pivotal in their Early Years development. They followed a fabulous Early Years Programme which help develop all the key core skills they need. There is lots of fun play, messy play, trips out, interaction with other children at toddler groups and events.

They always did topical arts and crafts, I have kept a keepsake box of all the wonderful drawings, cards, (mothers dad/fathers day), Easter and Christmas drawings and all the fantastic things they created at Little Gigglers, such happy memories.

I cannot recommend them highly enough, they certainly give my 2 children a great start to their Early Years and helped prepare them to be ready for school nursery in such a wonderful, nurturing, caring and warm environment.

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by Parent about Donna Cartmell on 30/09/2016

Response by Donna Cartmell on 01/10/2016:

Thank you Catherine, thats lovely! So glad they are settling into & back into school, everyone misses them xx

Home from home

My younger brother started at Donna and Graeme's 10 years ago and after seeing what a lovely home they had and the fantastic care they provided for my brother, I knew I wanted my own son to go there. The setting that they have established in their own home is very welcoming and constructive to children's development. They provide so many opportunities for my son to learn and develop in their home and also on their trips outside. He has a better social calendar than me! Every week they visit parks, clubs and toddler groups. It has been amazing to see my son's development throughout they year and I look forward to collecting him on an evening and hearing all about his day and what he has been up to! As his stories can't always be relied upon, Donna uses baby's days to keep me up to date on everything from what he's eaten, where he's been and the milestones he has reached. Also my favourite part, photos from his day! My son has developed a lovely relationship with every member of their family and also the children in their care. He has developed into a vey affectionate and sociable child.
I feel confident going to work knowing that my son is in a very safe home. I know he will eat healthily and get the exercise and fresh air he needs and that he has a safe place to nap.
Donna and Graeme respond to my sons needs and will always keep me up to date on anything that arises.
Finding and trusting someone to take care and love your child can be an emotional task, but I am confident in that I have found someone in Donna and Graeme

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by Parent about Donna Cartmell on 05/07/2015

Sad to be leaving

When your child is looked after by Graeme and Donna not only are they in a safe, friendly and supportive environment but the activities they provide and the groups they attend stimulate and encourage learning and socialising both for the age group of your child and from younger toddlers to older primary children. The children all feel part of the group and interact as a large family. Without doubt Andrew would not have flourished to the same extent if he had not been with them. Now that Andrew is moving on we all feel very sad and know that he will miss going. Thank you so much for looking after our young man and helping to mould him into the person he is.

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by Parent about Donna Cartmell on 02/07/2015

Fantastic childminders

My daughter has been cared for by Donna & Graeme for almost 3 years now, she settled immediately & is growing into a beautiful caring young lady which I believe is partly due to the values & care she receives from Donna & Graeme. My daughter enjoys lots of fun outings & has some lovely friends, she is always full of stories when we collect her about the adventures she's had, she is always happy & content, which makes going to work so much easier. My daughter has benefited from the fantastic environment provided & the learning techniques from a early age & is now a very confident & clever little girl.
My son has also just started, I was very anxious about leaving him as he was only 6 month old but I really shouldn't have been, he has settled well, he has never cried once when we have dropped him off and greets Donna & Graeme with a huge smile each morning, he's happy and content when I collect him so I know he's enjoyed his day. Donna is great at keeping in touch during the day & both Donna & Graeme are very approachable & happy to talk and help in any way they can. I wouldn't leave my children with anyone else & can't recommend them enough x

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by Parent about Donna Cartmell on 02/04/2014

Excellent childminders

Excellent childminders - my little girl has been looked after for over 2 years now.. I initially liked the fact that they were both childminders giving a lovely full family feel. Over the years that my daughter has been with Donna and Graeme I cannot fault one thing, the education she has had from such a young age is fantastic - I believe that they are largely responsible for her being such a bright little girl! They are very caring and compassionate people and my little girl could not be happier there - which makes my life a lot easier when I go off to work!

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by Parent about Donna Cartmell on 18/06/2012