Samateno

Sara is the best!

Sara has been looking after our 3yo daughter since she was 10 months. Our kid absolutely loves her and is always happy at drop-offs and relaxed at pick-ups!

Sara is very loving and truly care about the children under her care. We can always share questions or concerns and value her feedback a lot. In terms of activities, our little one is always exploring somewhere new, involved in educational and fun activities and playing with equally lovely little friends in the playgroups arranged by Sara.

Her setting is amazing. Truly recommend!

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Amanda on 25/01/2023

Great and trustworthy place to leave your children

Sara provides a trustworthy and reliable environment for your children. She's looked after our older son for around a year and I wouldn't think twice if circumstances required us to have supportive childcare again. Her house is homely and she is caring and thoughtful with the children. On the other hand, she is also very professional and provides a professional service. Best of both worlds, really.

Thanks Sara for all your support!

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Laura on 18/01/2023

Best Childminder I could have hoped for

Sara has been looking after my daughter 2 days a week since 2018 (from 12 months of age) and my son as well from 2021 (from 11 months). Sara's house is clean and provides a separate area for the children and has an amazing outdoor space to care for them. Both my children can't wait to go to Sara's and my daughter often don't want to leave. She provides all meals (home cooked) which the kids love and means I don't have to cook for them when they get home at 6pm, just a bit of fruit and they are happy (unlike their nursery days, in which they require a substantial meal when they get home)!

In my experience of both childminders and nurseries, Sara provides far more feedback and sends me photographs and records of the children's day-to-day activities. My daughter has learnt so much from Sara as opposed to the nursery setting. She takes the children on day trips, teaches them about animals (growing butterflies, frogs), baking, arts and crafts etc. Sara also knew when my daughter was ready to be potty trained and within days she was fully trained (far before any children at the nursery). All the children that go to Sara are all so kind and happy and get so much out of their time with Sara.

I am very pleased and comfortable and can't thank Sara enough for everything she does for my children. My daughter will be starting school this year at Hinchley Wood and she will continue to go to Sara before and after school as well as school holidays along with my son.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by OzMum on 11/05/2022

Amazing childminder

I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Sara - I’ve been extremely happy with the care provided. Sara has cared for my 2 year old daughter for roughly half a year and in that short time, I’ve seen her flourish.

Sara initially made me feel confident in returning to work for the first time since having my first baby and made the whole settling in process for both me and my daughter really easy.

Sara has a wonderful approach to childcare and education and has a warm ‘motherly’ manner. Her home is lovely and clean and she has a large garden for the children to explore freely.

I love that I get a daily update of the food eaten and activities done in a special book, and the reports are also fantastic - full of photos and comments so I can really see how my daughter has progressed within the EYFS and how much fun she's had in the process.

I also love that Sara takes the children out and about to playgroups, soft plays, parks, farms, theme parks… you name it! My daughter also has fun at her house with all the toys and books, baking, arts and crafts and playing in the garden. The balance between play and leaning is done extremely well and I’ve not only seen my daughter progress her skills and confidence in all areas, but she’s so happy to be there and loves telling me about her day with Sara and the other children!

If we weren’t re-locating, I would have continued using Sara for many years - she will be missed by us both! I can’t recommend Sara enough and we hope to stay in touch!

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by lbear on 16/07/2019

The best childminder

Sara was recommended to me by a friend and we met to discuss an opening she was going to have when my little girl was just 3 weeks old. From that initial meet I confirmed straight away and my daughter started at the age of 7 months (now 2 yrs).

I feel so lucky to have found Sara. My daughter had absolutely no issues going there from a young age and Sara was so good at caring for her as a baby. Now as a toddler she absolutely loves her ‘Sara days’ so much she asks if she’s going there most mornings even at weekends! That said, at pick up it’s always a challenge getting her to leave.

Sara offers that home from home environment every mother wishes for. Her family are lovely and her home is very cosy and perfectly set up for all ages.

Sara herself has an attentive, fun and caring approach whilst being a great role model and teacher. I trust her parenting implicitly (as she’s a great mother herself!) and she’s so devoted to all of the children she looks after. She follows development closely and tailors outings and activities around this. My daughter is so active and creative when she’s there which I love.

I look forward to reading the daily diary about their day - they really do have so much fun. And Sara also does great home cooked meals of all styles which is a huge factor for me. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Sara to anyone!

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by JoC on 06/01/2019

Highly Recommended

Sara is terrific. She has been a huge support to our son and us for the past 2 ½ years. She offers a home from home in a safe and caring environment.

Sara is professional and reliable. She has a no nonsense approach to childcare which we admire, equally Sara is full of praise and encouragement when necessary. She is loving and attentive and she offers the reassurance you need especially when you first leave your little one.

We are kept informed of daily activity in the form of a diary - Sara spends a lot of time arranging days out, seasonal activities and play dates within her network.

We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Sara as a child minder. It is without doubt we will really miss her and her family when the time comes.

• Overall

by Parent on 07/04/2015

Fantastic Childminder

Sara has played a huge role in both my children’s lives and they look forward to ‘Sara days’ each week. Not a tear has ever been shed by either of them at drop offs and I pick 2 happy (and often exhausted) children up at the end of the day. The big problem is sometimes getting them to leave!

My son has been with her for nearly 2 years (he is 4) and my daughter a year (she is 19 months). Sara has played an active role in their development and understands who they are and what their needs are.

Their days are filled with lots of fun activities both at home and out and about – there is no such thing as a boring day with Sara. She has a good network of other childminders who she meets up with on a regular basis so the children have lots of opportunities to interact with other children. Excursions are always exciting and purposeful.

I receive a daily diary at the end of each day so I know exactly what has happened that day. She also keeps a learning journal which I see every few weeks which is done beautifully with photos of excursions and various pictures/crafts they have done.

She has 2 delightful and well mannered older children who my children love and look up to.

Sara is a childminder who goes the extra mile and does far more than anyone can ever expect from a childminder. Whilst she is warm, caring and loving towards my children she is firm and disciplined and goes about her job in a very professional manner. It is so reassuring for any parent to leave their children in such capable hands.

• Overall

by Parent on 07/10/2014

5 stars

The contents of this review are no longer available as the reviewer's account has been deleted.

• Overall

by Parent on 02/07/2012

Fantastic childminder

Sara is a fantastic childminder and my son would choose to live with her if he could! Sara provides structure without being too rigid and has really helped my son to develop confidence and social skills. Her cooking is brilliant and he never comes home hungry. Sara is brilliant at getting to know what individuals enjoy doing but is also thoughtful enough to direct them to try new things. Sara has been our childminder for almost 2 years and I don't know how we managed before we found her! Lucky us!

• Overall

by Alison F on 15/05/2012