At first glance everything seemed to be going well. After a year, the hourly rate went up which is understandable however, be prepared to hear about the cost of living increase (seemingly just for mamabear 121) and the rise in energy bills.

The setting is spacious and the home occupied by the business owners (husband and wife) alongside their two grown children - which may or may not contribute to the increase in energy bills. I cannot say.

It was not communicated that their daughter was now working within the business/setting and training to become a childminder assistant however, the rate increase was communicated by email therefore capabilities are there to do so - but they clearly didn’t think it was important to let us know about the additional staff member. This also coincided with the rate increase. It would have been great to receive these comms so that as a parent, you are up to speed with who is looking after your child.

Video footage of my child having a shudder episode was taken and not shared with me (not even verbally) until some 2 weeks or so after the event. It may have been longer. I will be discussing this with Ofsted.

The owner will happily text you over the weekend as she is oblivious to boundaries, but complain if you respond as she is “away from the setting” or something along those lines. It may be an idea to not text parents over the weekend if you do not want responses…or get a work phone! I have had to raise issues after pickup which is 6pm to query issues with my child noticed after pickup - as any parent would. If this is inconvenient then you are in the wrong business. It may also be an idea to put clothing/items back in his bag to avoid me needing to query with you where things are.

On the basis I am now a stay at home mother, it was agreed days would be reduced from 4 days to 2 days until February which, at that point my child would be removed from the setting to join a nursery. Vanda made so many stipulations around this and could not establish whether a Monday or Friday was or was not included in those days. As mentioned, I am a stay at home mother so this made no odds to me, but due to her inability to communicate effectively, it took numerous texts back and forth to work out what was being said - which is a waste of my time on the basis I am not the person getting paid here.

If you don’t want texts outside of working hours, don’t text parents outside of your working hours.

You are expected to stand on the doorstep in the rain whilst personal and private information about your child is discussed in front of other parents, with your child also in the rain. This does not make for a comfortable environment.

All of the above has severed the relationship from my point. I will not be held hostage over childcare that essentially is not needed. Hence me needing to raise some home truths. These home truths led to a 30 day notice which, is a relief on the basis my child was leaving in February anyway. Further, I have had concerns that I have discussed and raised with my partner on numerous occasions.

There is no malice or retaliation in my review. I was no longer comfortable with my child attending this setting hence reducing the days. Unfortunately opening the door when stepping straight out of bed with the smell of bed head doesn’t paint the correct picture.

The language and tone of texts I have received definitely comes across as rude (using capital letters) belittling and insulting (we are talking adult to adult, not adult to child) and paying for the privilege to be spoken to in such an ill mannered way is totally unacceptable.

Needless to say, communication skills need work.

Nappy changes - I would pack 4/5 nappies each day yet return with at least 2 on pick up. So 2/3 nappy changes for the entire day… luckily my child has never ever suffered from nappy rash but if he did, this could be concerning.

I hope this review will prompt some positive change in attitude towards those who are paying you, and choose not to be spoken to like something you have stepped in.

I am happy to discuss further with anyone who is considering using this childminder to provide an honest and open review of my experience, especially considering the misinformation that will be posted in response no doubt.

• Overall
• Setting
• Communication