Jennyk

Fantastic, Professional, Very Caring Childminder

Jenny has been looking after my three-year-old son for a couple of days a week for three years and my two-year-old daughter a year and a half. We have been consistently impressed by the standard of childcare provided and cannot recommend her highly enough. Our children are so well cared for, stimulated, and genuinely loved by Jenny.

Jenny integrated our son's specific requirements (e.g. he had an egg allergy, we used cloth nappies) into her own routine. Our children enjoy local groups e.g. playgroups, music clubs, messy play, etc on a weekly basis as well as trips further afield throughout the year (e.g. Barley lands, Hadleigh Farm, Marsh Farm). They are outside daily - playing in Jenny's garden, playing at the park or beach. Jenny is very professional and knowledgable about child development and we feel she perfectly blends this professionalism with her caring nature to provide the perfect setting for our children.

Activities that my children are engaged in are so varied, always following a monthly topic. They are given the opportunity to do fantastic crafty projects every week, get messy, cook and bake, conduct experiments, play musical instruments, sports games, etc. Jenny makes the EYFS curriculum so fun for them and I see them get so much out of it. (My son, age 3, has recently learnt to write his name from writing on the register, he's largely disinterested in anything with pens at home).

Jenny's food is particularly impressive and she accommodates both my son's pickiness and my daughter's big appetite! Meals are usually organic, cooked from scratch and plenty of fresh fruit is available throughout the day for their snacks. The children are regularly involved in food prep, and are encouraged to use good manners and develop personal skills at the table (independence with cutlery, wiping selves, clearing away, drinking from open cup, etc).

Jenny is an excellent communicator. The Learning Journal she completes and gives to us at regular intervals is a fantastic view into their monthly themes/topics and their overall general development. We receive a daily diary detailing their activities, food, sleeps, toilets etc and Jenny also send us photo updates most days when possible which is lovely to receive whilst at work. Jenny is so calm and my children really respond well to this. She is softly spoken, and boundaries are set in a firm but gentle manner.

Jenny's house is a wonderful space in which my children feel totally confident and very much 'at home'. It is always clean and tidy (before the kids arrive!) the children are encouraged to wash hands before eating/after toiling and I believe these hygiene levels have resulted in very, very few illnesses in the years since they have been in childcare. There are toys, books and activities to stimulate the children in each area of the house and activities set up ready for the children each day. At home, my children often speak of certain books and/or toys they have developed particular connections with at Jenny's house. The children are made to feel confident expressing themselves, and Jenny is not at all precious about the space despite it being her home - (I'm not sure I would be as laid back as children were throwing rice around the living room all in the name of creativity!)

Jenny has two lovely young boys who are dear friends to my children, and are a testament to Jenny's superb child rearing abilities! Jenny's husband is a drum teacher, which impresses my two, her mother has often helped out and is incredibly caring. Overall, the entire family are welcoming and make us feel incredibly confident and happy about our children spending time with them. Jenny ensures that all the children in her care are engaged in activities that interest them, and that they are all getting on with each other. My daughter enjoys "helping" with the little babies, and my son loves playing games with older children.

I’m certain that being in such a positive and happy environment is helping my children develop into confident young people. My children absolutely adore Jenny, she is such a loved and large part of their lives which is the best testament to a caregiver. We recommend her highly and without reservation!

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by higgywig on 26/06/2017