Karina runs Lucas Childcare from her large home in Blackheath. It is part way between a Nursery and a Childminder. Karina employs two assistants to ensure that each child can receive almost 1:1 attention and activities can be targeted at specific age groups. However, the setting is still a home environment rather than a nursery and numbers are kept low. Karina is brilliant at taking the children on lots of trips (Woodlands Farm, National Maritime Museum, Soft Play and many more) as well as regular outings to the local playground. Karina has two rooms in her house solely dedicated to the childcare business as well as a huge garden with many toys for the kids to play with. The food provided for the children is fantastic – Karina used to work in the hospitality industry and provides fresh, healthy meals and snacks for the children.

I have used Karina as a childminder for my daughter since she was 12 months old and I could not rate her higher! The quality of care she offers to each child is fantastic. My daughter had never been left with anyone who wasn’t either myself or my husband when we started using Karina and it is a testament to Karina’s great care for children that she settled so well and now at 3 and a half she loves going there.

As well as being a very caring person, Karina is also extremely professional. She is holds a master’s degree in her previous profession and she is currently studying towards a level 3 qualification in childcare and plans to start a BA in Early Years in September 2017. This is her vocation and she is extremely dedicated to her profession – the learning journal that she keeps for each child is meticulous and she has a high knowledge of the EYFS curriculum and how to assist each child’s development. I could go on, but I will just say that we are extremely glad that we’ve found such a wonderful childminder as Karina and we could not recommend her higher! Communication has been second to none and I would disagree with the previous reviewer regarding the state of cleanliness - the place is always spotless and both pick up and drop off - however the same cannot always be said for my daughter's clothes which is testament to the amount of messy learning through play which must take place during the day - which is of course exactly as I would want it!

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