My children have been coming to Julie for over 4 years, both from the age of 12 months when I returned to work. I found Julie after visiting several childminders and immediately felt she was the most suitable to care for them based on how she interacted with the children in her care, the way her home and garden was set up for
the children, and the information and answers she gave me around caring for the children.

Both children settled in really well and were happy to be left from day one. I have always felt comfortable leaving the children with Julie knowing that they are happy and well cared for. The children rarely want to leave when they are collected and often ask to go to Julie’s on days when they are not due to attend. Julie provides a caring and welcoming homely environment where they feel they are visiting a friend or relative rather than being there simply to be looked after whilst I work.

Julie provides a wide range of activities for the children to engage with, as well as special activities to mark seasonal events. The children enjoy showing me and bringing home various crafts they have made. They particularly like giving us the special Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas gifts.

Julie updates us regularly on how they are doing and what activities they have been doing at the end of the day. For the first few years she filled in a diary for the children on what they had done, sleep, nappies and food. Now they are older I don’t have the need for this but we are still kept informed of what has happened each day. Julie will often send photos of what they have been doing which is lovely to see.

Julie completes a really detailed learning journal for each child which gives us a wonderful opportunity to see what our children have been doing during their time in her care, as well as keeping us aware of where they sit developmentally. Whilst my daughter was at pre-school Julie had a good relationship with the staff there so that
they could discuss any elements of her development as and when necessary.

Julie has on several occasions been able to help us out by providing childcare on additional days, swapping days when work commitments require, and often helped us by dropping one of the children home if the other is ill for example. The extra support is very much appreciated.

We have recommended Julie to friends, and would have no hesitation in doing so again.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Communication