Ajmer's house has been a home from home for my children for 10 years. I met her at a local toddler group when my daughter was 3 and my son just a few months old. I liked that she was part of a network of local childminders who met almost daily, giving the children in their care a varied experience and lots of chance to socialise. So at age 9 months my son started to go to her full time and my daughter before and after school.

My daughter had previously been to a day nursery, and I had some concerns about moving from such a professional environment to a childminder's setting. I needn't have worried! Ajmer is a very highly experienced and professional childminder and supremely reliable. In 10 years I think she was only sick once (for one afternoon!) and arranged for another childminder already known to the children to take over.

Ajmer is organised and consistent and this means the children in her care are settled and know exactly what is expected of them. She is also warm and loving towards them! She has a good set-up at home, with a dedicated room for the children, but other spaces they can use according to their needs. There is always a good range of toys both indoors and outdoors, and the children are encouraged to be independent in an age-appropriate way.

Communication over the years has been excellent - both professional and constructive. She has always made time to talk about the children, and is interested in their wider lives too. My daughter moved on to secondary school three years ago and maintains an appropriate relationship with Ajmer (like an aunt) even though she is no longer in her care. And now, after ten years, our professional relationship will end as my son also moves onto secondary school - I know we will keep in touch as she has been such a key adult in both the children's early formative years.

My son would like to add, "Ajmer is like an aunt to me and I am sad I will no longer see her every day. I have grown up with her Labrador, Monty, and he has comforted me whenever I have been in a bad mood."

We would have no hesitation in recommending Ajmer's childminding services to you!

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication