Karen Foley's Reviews
Childminder
5 out of 5
Parent reviews
Below are the latest reviews for karen foley. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk members and not of Childcare.co.uk. Parents must carry out their own checks and references on childcare providers to ensure that they are completely happy before enaging in the use of their services.
It's hard to put into words what Karen and her husband Michael have done for our family. The impact they have had on Jamie, and on us, is so unbelievably special. Karen is not your regular childminder, she truly is, one in a million. We are so proud of the gorgeous little man Jamie has become and we can 100% attribute that to the support and nurturing environment Karen (and Michael) have created in their beautiful home. They are the warmest, kindest people. Karen deeply cares for the children and they are clearly very happy, their needs met in every way, and most definitely will feel like they are part of a family the second they walk through the door.
Karen makes sure the children have a variety of activities to support their wellbeing and development, with regular day trips to wonderful places such as Emmetts Garden and Godstone Farm. I have actually been quite jealous on occasions of Jamie's exciting schedule!
I couldn't recommend Karen more. If you're lucky she has a space for you, please snap it up, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone better.
It's with a very heavy heart that we have to leave Karen (and Michael) as we are relocating. We will miss them dearly, but can't thank them enough for the wonderful start in life they've given Jamie, and the wonderful memories that will be forever cherished.
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Elaine C
on 12/08/2023
I got Karen to help me out when we were stuck looking for nursery space for my son. It started off as a short term arrangement that lasted well over 6 months. I can say hand on heart my son had a fabulous time with Karen and her husband Michael. He quickly made friends and learnt so many skills. We are so proud of him and glad that Karen came to our lives when she did.
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Sush
on 01/07/2023
Karen has been such a positive influence in our child’s life. He has never shown any hesitancy in going in to Karen’s house and I know that’s because it is a safe, loving and fun environment, that has enabled him to grow and learn. Karen’s house is always spotless, with lots of new toys for the children to play with. As well as this, the children are regularly taken out for fun activities, which Karen plans depending on the weather. I was particularly impressed with how careful she was with the children in the recent summer heatwave. I think Karen is fantastic and I would highly recommend.
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Annabel
on 06/01/2023
We have used Karen for 4 years and was gutted when our children moved onto school.
If you’re looking for a home from home experience without the parental guilt of knowing whether your child is ok then Karen is where to go. We were so relieved to see our children out and about enjoying all the exciting trips Karen took them on, receiving lots and lots of photos throughout the day.
Karen’s home is extremely caring and nurturing. If using Karen, your child will see her home as their own.
It was a real privilege for us to be able to have Karen going out of her way to support all our family needs for as long as we did.
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Rlatham
on 31/10/2022
The most caring, loving, nurturing environment possible for the most important person in your life.
Karen is the best! She has become part of our little ones family, and that’s exactly how Karen makes you feel. Part of the family. She has a lovely clean, welcoming setting, and is always on hand for love and cuddles. It always felt like we were dropping off at a beloved Aunties, and that gave us complete piece of mind.
Pictures and messages keep you updated and a lovely diary is completed each day so you can read about what’s been happening. You even get some beautiful physical photos sent home each month.
If you are looking for a home from home for your little angel, then look no further. Karen’s is the place for you.
Thank you for everything Karen!
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Kenny
on 17/12/2021
Karen started looking after my daughter a few months ago. The moment we stepped into her house my daughter started playing and was so comfortable - I knew immediately this was the right person and environment. She has been on so many days out that she comes home and asks me if she is going to ‘Karen's’ the next day. When I say no not tomorrow she pulls a very sad face!
This is how I know she enjoys her time there, playing, making cakes, colouring and being outdoors in the garden playing in the sand and water.
The amazing infamous Karen!!!
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Gina
on 17/08/2020
I can not recommend Karen enough, If only I could give more than 5 stars!!!
My son was so shy and didn't settle into nursery at all. After a year of upset we pulled him out and went down the childminder route instead. Literally the best thing that could ever have happened to all of us. Within a really short period of time he settled in, he was excited to go to Karens, he played with the other children confidently and he generally just came out of his shell.
Karen takes them out to lovely places and they are always partaking in some great activities. We have often then as a family gone to places where she has taken him as he has enjoyed it so much.
Karen is so flexible and always so reliable. I trust her with my child 100% and never had to worry when she had him. Not only is she great with my son she has been great for the whole family, I see her more like an aunty!!!
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SallyNW
on 10/01/2020
Karen has been a brilliant and totally reliable ChildMinder for both our son (now 5) and daughter (now 7) since they were 3 & 4 years old.
Karen came highly recommended and she has certainly lived up to and beyond this recommendation.
We felt Karen treated our children as part of her family with a strong ethos of caring, the right disciplines and always keeping them active.
Our children never once didn’t want to go which is testament to how they enjoyed their time with Karen.
Highly recommend therefore and happy to give further details.
And to echo the reviews of others...... Karen really is a Mary Poppins!
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lcelsey
on 08/09/2019
Our Daughter Marianne who is now 6 has been looked after by Karen for 2 years now. Karen has become an integral part of our family. She has a genuine passion for children. She is caring, loving, patient, full of attention and also has a natural authority. Marianne loves staying at Karen's every day.
As working parents we had to rely heavily on Karen's support and often with last minute changes. Karen has always been extremely accommodating, flexible and 100% reliable. She goes above and beyond her duties as childminder. She is truly a superstar, always attentive, smiling. Just a joy!
She is fun, loving, creative and will always look for different activities to support children's development.
She takes them out to the farm or to the park or library and the children always get along well and have become true friends.
Karen provides a home and Marianne has been adopted by the entire family... including Bella, Karen's lovely and gentle dog :-).
I feel so grateful to Karen for her amazing warmth, generosity, love and attention towards our family. Living far from France and the family Karen has been a stable force helping us create a loving, caring, stable and fun environment for Marianne.
Karen is the real Mary Poppins and we can't thank her and her family enough for all they have done for Marianne and us.
She is one in a million!!! Thank you Karen.
Emilie
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on 16/07/2018
Karen has been the most wonderful childminder to my 2 girls. She has become a great friend and has been my rock over the years. She has always gone above and beyond in her level of care and I have always felt so reassured that they were with her.
Her house is spotless and they have lovely meals every day. Karen marks every occasion like Pancake Day and Chinese New Year which they all love! They do lots of crafts and in the summer trips to the park. More often than not they don’t want to be picked up!
Karen is a very kind and lovely person, nothing is ever too much trouble. We feel very lucky to have found her and now that we have moved on we will miss her very much.
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on 23/04/2017
When I was looking for a childminder for my 4 year old and came across Karen's reviews I thought she sounded too good to be true - but a year and a half on, I can say that Karen is Truly Too Good ! And she is true !!
My daughter had spent most of her school holiday times plus 2 days after school care with Karen. In addition I have bothered Karen with lots of random ad hoc pick up & afterschool care requests and she had never let me down.
My daughter loves Karen and so do we. She had not only been like Mary Poppins, Maria (sound of music ) and all the favourite characters kids love but she has also been like a Agony aunt , friend and a support for me too. She's like a mother hen protecting the children but also an amazing friend and family to parents.
From yummy cookies to, pumpkin carving, Christmas deco, Mother's Day cards, candles , home made pizza the list is endless in terms of activities Karen does with kids. In addition the holiday activities are fun packed and different with trips to aquarium , science museum, parks etc.
I can write a book about how amazing Karen is ! She's just too amazing !!
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Marina
on 08/11/2016
Finding someone you trust to take care of your child is such a hard thing to do. However when I met Karen for the first time , all my fears and apprehension were put to rest !
My daughter has been going to Karen's , for about a year now & she absolutely loves her ! .
Karen is incredibly warm and caring and has a lovely family home . This puts my daughter at ease and Karen stimulates the children , organizing indoor and outdoor activities . We always hear countless stories about all the fun and exciting events of the day !
Karen is totally reliable and has never once let us down . As parents we always feel so stress-free as she is always so calm and relaxed !
I always know that when I send my daughter to Karen’s that she is being well cared for and looked after by a very safe and experienced pair of hands !
Karen is like the Mary Poppins for our family & I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Karen to anyone !
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on 18/09/2016
I wish I had found Karen a lot sooner, she really is a Mary Poppins!
My son absolutely loved being with Karen, whether out and about playing or at her home.
I knew as soon as I met her that she was the one to look after my son. She's caring, funny, amazing with children and I knew that my son was being looked after in a fun and safe environment.
I cannot recommend Karen enough.
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on 17/09/2016
My children have been going to Karen for about 18 months now and love her. I can genuinely say she has been great!
Karen has a way with kids and her beautiful clean and tidy home is set up perfectly with toys, arts, crafts and a nice sized garden to keep them entertained all day.
Karen is very down to earth, friendly accommodating and FLEXIBLE!! There have been a number of times where she had helped me out last minute with childcare and is always willing to help and work around me when she can.
I 100% recommend Karen she is fabulous!!
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on 03/09/2016
We have used Karen for almost a year now and she has been absolutely wonderful with our son. As I said in the title she is professional but so caring and lovely with it. Our son loves going to Karen and looks forward to his time with her.
She has taken him on visits, completed activities together and even gone to the aerodrome because he wanted to watch the gliders.
My relationship with Karen has been fabulous. We have communicated regularly about my son's needs and she has listened and responded every time. She ticks every box I have when thinking about a person to entrust with my son. Thank you Karen xx
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on 09/07/2015
Karen has been my childminder for my two children (now aged 9 and 6) for around 3 years now. She is fabulous! I am a single mum with a busy job, and Karen has made life so much easier for me. Karen has helped me out on numerous occasions at the last minute during term time when one of my children needs to stay off school and I have a client meeting!
My kids spend a fair chunk of their school holidays with Karen and she takes excellent care of them. They have fun packed days either out and about or playing in Karen's very child friendly home/ garden.
Karen provides a warm and friendly environment for the children she cares for, and her lovely own children are testament to her skills as a mum too.
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on 01/07/2015
The contents of this review are no longer available as the reviewer's account has been deleted.
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on 29/01/2013
I met Karen 5 years ago thru' word of mouth and as a busy single parent to an only child, she has been a godsend. My daughter loves going to her house and when I go to pick her up she invariably asks 'Can I stay a bit longer?', which to me says all I need to know about the level of enjoyment and care she receives.
Karen has always been reliable, accommodating and trustworthy and is always calm even when I'm in a panic about being late. She has a lovely house which is somehow always clean in spite of all the activity that goes on there!
I have no hesitation in recommending Karen as I have none nothing but complete confidence in her, she has been everything I wanted in a childminder and more. My daughter has loved her time with her and is sad that now she is off to secondary she will no longer be spending time with Karen and her family.
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on 24/06/2012
Finding someone you trust to care for your children when you can back to work can be a daunting task. I spent weeks searching for a childminder and met several but non I really "clicked" with. Karen was recommended to me by chance or it could be down to fate :) by the estate agent selling my house!
We met over coffee in the garden and the relief I felt was immense. Karen is one of those people you can't help but love. Her house is a family home where children are very much at the heart of it. She is kind, warm and welcoming; a feeling you get instantly you walk in the house. Although how she keeps it so pristine with the amount of baking and activities that go on I'll never know.
She has a great sense of humour and a fun and relaxed personality. As well making her approachable by the children, it also makes it easy to work with her to manage any issues that arise.
My children have now been going to Karen after school for 4 years. In that time she has never once not been able to collect them. My children love her to pieces and she has become a great friend and confidant to me.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Karen to anyone in the same position I was 4 years ago. With Karen I have complete trust, and peice of mind that my children are safe and happy.
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on 06/09/2011
