Little Puddings, Sussie, has been child-minding my youngest daughter, Evie (2yrs 9mths) since August 2010 and my eldest Ella (7 years) since September 2008. She has looked after both my girls part-time over various days and times, including school holidays.

I have been extremely happy with the care Ella & Evie have received, and the fabulous progress they have made whilst in Sussie’s care. Sussie’s family home is a loving, welcoming environment, which is why both girls settled in immediately, with plenty of toys and activities available. They have got on well with Sussie’s own children and other children in her care. Beyond all this though, it is Sussie’s warm and friendly but no nonsense approach which sets her apart from other child-minders.

She provides a wide, fun range of activities including plenty of outdoor exercise. I know Ella and Evie have recently enjoyed a bike ride to Hartsholme Park to play and have a picnic, along with walks in the woods on dinosaur hunts and looking for frog spawn, Jubilee and Olympic themed games, drawing and sticking, reading and puzzles, the list is endless. She’s even taken both girls swimming. Sussie has a fabulous array of resources which would put any nursery to shame, I have a cabinet full of art and crafts that have been made for Birthdays, Christmas, Mother and Father days, themed activities etc.

Sussie is a great, patient, communicator and has encouraged confidence in both girls therefore promoting good behaviour, kindness and compassion to others, both skills which are important to us at home. When the girls have stepped outside their boundaries she responds with firm but kind discipline explaining what we would like to see in terms which they understand. When either of them is hurt or feeling under the weather I know that they feel happy to be comforted by her and I am confident that she can administer either first aid or medication following all the correct procedures and completing the necessary records to ensure their health and safety.

Sussie provides lunch (which is sometimes cooked) and snacks for both girls which are always healthy, such as wholemeal sandwiches, spaghetti bolognaise, lasagne, fruit and vegetables etc, she has helped my daughters develop a good and varied diet. I am also aware that Sussie ensures good personal hygiene in encouraging all the children to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet.

Sussie completes a diary for Evie detailing what she has done each day. From this I have a complete picture of her whole day including what she has eaten. This helps me to feel involved with her care and that I can talk to her about her day.

Sussie is very flexible and has always been able to accommodate my daughters at short notice if required, she is an honest and trustworthy individual and due to her years of child minding experience and child care studies she has a wealth of knowledge, which is why I have asked her advice on numerous occasions. All in all I am extremely happy with the level of care Ella and Evie receive and I’m certain that being in such a positive and happy environment is helping them develop into confident and self-assured children.
I would absolutely recommend Sussie as a great and reliable child-minder.