I was initially hesitant about selecting a childminder through a website, without a personal recommendation, but nonetheless I visited several in the Maidenhead area who I found on childcare.co.uk. When I met Jackie, I immediately got the sense that she was warm, calm and provided wonderful loving care for the children she looked after – I could see that she had formed a very strong bond with a little boy who was there that day.

I am so pleased that I chose Jackie to look after Arthur for me. He settled in really quickly and in the ten months he has been in her care he has become such a confident, chatty, happy little man. They go out and do activities or visits most days, and on other days they do "messy play" at home or play in her lovely big garden full of toys. Her two school-age children are very polite and friendly and make a real effort to play with Arthur – he adores them and I really feel that he has become a part of their extended family. I am genuinely sad to be taking him out of her care, as I know that he will really miss them all, but as I am going on maternity leave again I will no longer require childcare.

The occasions which Jackie has been unable to look after Arthur due to illness or one-off unplanned events have been rare, and she always gives plenty of notice of planned holidays. When it comes to my requests I've always found her to be flexible and accommodating where she can.

In summary – I would highly recommend Jackie as a childminder, I cannot think of anyone better to look after my son while I am at work.

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