I have been using Janette for over 12 years. She first looked after my daughter from age 2, full time up until reception and then after school until she attended secondary school. After that she looked after my son from 1 until this September when he started reception.

I always thought that my children would go to a nursery but when the time came to find childcare I warmed to the idea of a childminder as I like the fact that they are in the comfort of a home. I found Janette through the boroughs list of Ofsted childminders and on our initial call I realised that there is nothing my child will miss out on by not going to nursery - in my opinion a childminder offers a more enhanced setting with not only play and activities but a warm comfortable environment and one main carer to build a very special bond as my children did.

I know when I have left my children with Janette that they are safe and well looked after. She offers an array of home activities with a whole room dedicated to craft, arts, toys etc. For my daughter who was really into arts and crafts there was no end to the arts and craft she was able to do with Janette. For my son who prefers to run around, make dens and play games Janette accommodated this so well. Although she did get him more and more into crafts as time went on! I know this was through engaging and encouraging him.

Her home setting is warm and inviting with lots of space to play, craft and chill out when needed. Her play room is stacked floor to ceiling with anything that a child could imagine, dinosaurs, crafts, fishing games, board games, cars, dolls.....you name it!

They celebrate all the festivals through talking, reading books and related arts/crafts, games. When it is snowing Janette brings in a huge tray full of snow to play with. At Chinese New Year a big tray of noodles to mess around with. For the Coronation a union jack flag created with coloured rice! All these fun activities are under pinned with an educational aspect so the children are constantly learning. It is nonstop and so varied.

In the summer she has a lovely garden with outdoor toys, slides and in the real hot weather a paddling pool.

Outside of the home there are library visits, met ups with other childminders in her network, toddler groups, trips to the park such as Langley and Black Park and occasional soft play and farm trips.
I am honestly so grateful for the varied and fun times they had with Janette.

The children have a lovely routine that is created to make them feel safe and it works. Janette encourages independence and allows the children to be themselves. With Janette and the children, they are like a family and it is so very sweet. Both my children were full time so spent a lot of time with the other children so also built lovely friendships. There are children of different ages which means when they were littler, they had bigger children to look up to and learn from.

My son has moved to a school out of the area so after school care is not possible, but he will continue to be looked after my Janette in the school holidays thankfully.

He loved his time with his childminding family and misses Janette and his friends. We are super happy to be back with her this half term!

Thank you for all your support and care for the children over the past 12 years. There is something to be said in being able to go to work and not worry as you know your children and safe and being well looked after.

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