Claire A's Reviews
Childminder
5 out of 5
Parent reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Claire A. 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.
Our son started with Claire at 11 months. He developed a strong bond with Claire in a short amount of time due to her calm and nurturing nature. We truly feel so reassured dropping him off in the mornings as she knows him so well.
We appreciate the regular updates throughout the day, containing information on all the different activities she has arranged for him, as well as meal updates - he definitely eats well there!
We love the smaller setting she provides but also how our son interacts with a number of children due to Claire taking him to groups. It's great that she does the school run too as our boy loves interacting with older children, we enjoy these updates too.
Thank you Claire
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by
Melxvb92
on 07/12/2022
Response by
Claire A
on 08/12/2022:
Thank you - he is a lovely lad to care for!
Looking for a childminder was an incredibly tough choice for me to make as a parent that has never used a childminder or even a baby sitter before, it was a very big step. Claire has made not only my children but also me so comfortable with regular updates with all the fun activities and meals/ snacks and general well being of my children. Claire puts so much time and effort into making sure the activities are suited to all the children but also taking on each child own interest, during the school holidays they had theme weeks where the children learnt so much and made the most amazing art work.
Claire's home has become like a home from home experience for my child they feel extremely comfortable, happy and safe. I had a child that felt very very nervous about going to childminder to being excited about going. I really could not recommend Claire enough.
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by
Abbey
on 13/09/2022
Response by
Claire A
on 14/09/2022:
Thank you so much for your kind words - We have a lot of fun!
I would have no hesitation in recommending Claire to look after your child. She has looked after my both my children at various points over the past 12 and half years. She looked after my daughter from 9 months until nearly 3. She provided regular updates in a diary of what my daughter did during the day, she provided age appropriate activities and had my daughter's well being at forefront of her mind. Any concerns regarding my daughter's development in her milestones were discussed and recommendations made.
She started looking after my son after school for the last 3 years along with my daughter and again she had their best interests with what activities they wanted to do when they got back to her house and provided well balanced meals. Safety was also important when they would walk back to her house from school. I always felt comfortable in the knowledge that Claire would look after my children as I would look after them myself. She is great at communication and provides updates with her policies and newsletters via email.
Please visit Claire and her setting, you will not be disappointed and your child will have the best time with Claire like my 2 children have over the years.
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JoR
on 08/05/2022
Claire has looked after both my children for the last 3 years. My daughter for full days, my son before and after school and both for some days during the holidays.
I feel so lucky to have found Claire. She is amazing with my two and tailors learning and play to their individual likes and needs. They love going to her and I know they are cared for so well.
Claire provides regular updates with photos during the day and a good handover at the end of the day. The setting is great and there are always varied activities with different themes.
During the pandemic Claire went above and beyond to support us as a family as we are both key workers. Making a really awful time a lot less stressful.
I’m dreading the day we no longer need Claire for her amazing childcare. She has become such a big part of all our lives.
I would thoroughly recommend Claire to anyone looking for a Childminder.
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by
RLynskey
on 02/05/2022
Response by
Claire A
on 02/05/2022:
Thank you! I enjoy having your children - and look forward to a little longer with them!
After initially struggling to find a childminder for my 1 year old I cannot be more grateful that a space became available with Claire.
She provides regular updates and pictures of what my son gets up to throughout the day and also makes us aware of what development skills they will be working on in the coming weeks.
I have noticed a huge improvement in my son’s skills in the short time he has spent with Claire and I look forward to seeing what more is to come.
Claire is truly amazing and I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for a childminder.
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by
Charl
on 26/04/2022
Response by
Claire A
on 26/04/2022:
I love caring for your lad - thank you!
I can’t rate Claire highly enough, my son started in 2019 at 10 months, he absolutely loves his time in the setting.
As he’s grown, he’s started showing signs of development delays and Claire’s support has been outstanding! I can’t express enough how amazing she is and how pleased I am to have found her.
Thankfully we have a few more years yet but I dread the day we have to say goodbye!
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Hannah
on 09/09/2021
Response by
Claire A
on 09/09/2021:
Thank you Hannah! He is a wonderful little boy and i so enjoy having him here!
Well where do I start. Claire is amazing and I wouldn't hesitate to highly recommend her.
She has looked after my daughter on and off (Due to work commitments) from the ages of 2 to 10.
She is kind, funny, caring and more important very trustworthy and professional. Her childcare setting is always spotless, tidy and well looked after with a very wide range of things for children to do, of all ages. All the food is prepared for the children and they all eat together as one setting which I feel is important. Children learn from Children and with a fussy eater, her food choices have become wider since being with Claire.
If she has space...don't hesitate...book her now and you wont be disappointed....
Thank you Claire for all you have done in the years S has been with you, she will miss you and had enjoyed her time with you.
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Kirstie4
on 20/03/2021
Response by
Claire A
on 20/03/2021:
Oh thank you K!! I'll miss your lass - can't believe it's been so long I've had her here! Stay in touch, cx
My daughter has been looked after by Claire from age 4 to 9 she attended 4 days a week after school. Our contract was only terminated due to a move abroad.
During the time that Claire has looked after my daughter, she has been safe and in enjoyable company. Claire provides excellent care and ensures that all the children are happy and entertained. Claire has managed to provide activities that are fun and also educational and has managed to ensure that my crafty child has everything to hand which she particularly enjoys! Although the children are encouraged to all play together, she has area where the older children can play separately from the younger children if they wish to. My daughter was always used to mixing with children of the same age, or older but under Claire’s care I have had reports back that she has been playing and helping out with the younger children and babies – this has helped her with her younger cousins.
Claire provides a mixed and varied diet, even my very fussy daughter will (mostly) happily eat all her dinner. She has never been forced to eat anything she does not like but has tried things that she now enjoys.
Communication with Claire is excellent. She provides regular updates to activities and events that she has planed by email and notes sent home with my daughter. Should a child be upset or not quite herself, Claire will bring this to attention in an unobtrusive way.
I would have no hesitation is recommending Claire as a childminder, she has not only cared for my child, she has also become a friend over the many years.
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by
Lucy
on 14/02/2020
Response by
Claire A
on 14/02/2020:
Thank you Lucy! Have a great time abroad and i look forward to hearing how you are all getting on! Claire
Claire has looked after both of my children after I went back to work full time. My LB was 11 months and my LG 10 months. My LB is starting school in September and sad to leave Claire’s care. Claire has made sure that his transition to school has been smooth and that he is as prepared as he can be. Claire’s setting is fantastically resourced, they carry out different activities each day, attending different toddler groups throughout the week. Claire also takes them on other trips too - Dino Park/bus trips to the city/Pettitts/Play barn.
Both of my children are normally reluctant to leave at the end of the day as they are having fun with their friends and also the older children that Claire picks up from the junior school.
Claire came highly recommended to us by a colleague and I would highly recommend her to others.
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Anna
on 24/07/2019
Response by
Claire A
on 24/07/2019:
Thank you so much for your kind words! I have had such fun with your 2 wonderful children - and I'm planning lots more fun for LG in autumn - i hope to hear lots about how LB gets on at school! Claire
Claire has been our childminder for over 2 years and we are so happy with her services. She is very caring and super organised. The development trackings that she provides is exemplary and very professional. Her settings is a dream for any children walking in, every morning there is a new activity ready for the children, from messy play to building and very educational as well. She organised every month around a new theme that keeps our little ones captivated. The outings make you want to give up work for the day and join in. Looking at pictures in their diaries is a pleasure.
We are so so happy to have found Claire. And to top It all Claire speaks French which is an invaluable asset to me. Thank you 😉
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by
Parent
on 28/02/2018
Response by
Claire A
on 28/02/2018:
Thank you for a lovely review! I love looking after your 2 little ones, and we have a great deal of fun. Merci beaucoup! Cx
We could not be happier with how our one and a half year old has settled in with Claire over the past 8 months. Not having left him before or accessed childcare we were very unsure what to expect but it has been made very easy seeing how happy he is with her and the other children he spends his days with. He loves going in the mornings and is usually trying to escape back into the play room when it is time to go home!
Claire arranges lots of lovely activities and days out, plenty of fresh air and creative activities and time with other child minders. He loves trying to keep up with all the other children that he mixes with. We love looking at his book to see the photos and diary that Claire adds to.
As a child minder Claire is caring, organised and reliable- essential as working parents. Our son is very fond of her and of his time at her home, as well as of her cooking and snacks!
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by
Parent
on 08/08/2017
Response by
Claire A
on 10/08/2017:
Thank you! I love looking after your tot and it's so nice to hear how happy you are with my service cx
Claire has been looking after my son for 6 months now and he absolutely loves his days with her and the other children she looks after. I was very nervous initially about leaving him in somebody else’s care, as he had never been away from me for any length of time, but to my amazement he settled in pretty much immediately and has genuinely seemed happy and excited to go there every day since. Claire has the rare mix of being extremely organised and efficient, but also flexible, relaxed and fun! She is very supportive and accommodating and really works with parents to make things as consistent as possible for the children. Most importantly she is very caring and sensitive to the needs of all the children in her care (as well as the parents too!).
Claire’s house is great, with a huge play room and wonderful garden. The chickens and the hamster are very popular with my son! He is always doing lots of crafts, cooking etc when he is at Claire’s and also always going on lots of exciting trips – I am very jealous some days when I pick him up and hear all about the fun they have had! When I drop him off I have no worries as I really feel as though he is off to have a wonderful day with his extended family.
I count myself very lucky to have found Claire, she is absolutely top class!
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by
Parent
on 08/03/2015
Response by
Claire A
on 09/03/2015:
Bless you Sally! I love looking after your little lad - he's a star! Cx
Claire ( Helen Akril- known as Claire) is the most wonderful childminder and I am so lucky that has helped shaped the future for my son. My son was with Claire for nearly four years 3 days a week from the age of 1-5. Her care was absolutely superb and helped shaped my son into the courteous, kind and caring little boy he is. Claire is 100% professional. She not only offers an educational, caring environment but she goes the extra mile in every aspect of her role. I cannot recommend her highly enough. Getting the right childcare is so important when returning to work and I wouldn't have been able to return to work unless I could put my trust and faith into someone such as Claire- she is such a wonderful childminder.
Claire's provision is outstanding in every aspect of her role from her care and love of children, her documentation and tracking of child development, her support , her passion for the job and her dedication. Without a doubt, I would recommend her as an exceptional childminder.
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by
Parent
on 06/10/2014
Response by
Claire A
on 06/10/2014:
Thank you so much Helen! I am missing Henry so much now he's gone to school! Claire x
Claire has been one of the key carers of my now 6.5 year old little boy for the past 3.5 years. She works hard to create a great homely play environment and over the years has developed a wonderfully friendly relationship with both myself and my child. - we have even recently moved house so that Claire can continue with after school care for him . My LB always enjoys the variety of places he is introduced to, the themed learning and of course the lovely home cooked meals.
We would both thoroughly recommend Claire as a Childminder for your little one too.
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by
Parent
on 08/09/2014
Response by
Claire A
on 10/09/2014:
I love looking after him! Cx
Claire has worked with our family for 3 years and has looked after both our 3 and a half year old and 1 and a half year old. The reason we initially chose Claire is that she offers a wide range of activities and visits clubs, has a very spacious area filled with a range of toys ( excellent for our energetic children who need lots of space!) and has a large outside area. The reason why we sent our second son to Claire is that we saw the wonderful relationship she built with our first son, the excellent communication with us and the care and attention to detail she gave to looking after our child.
We would highly recommend Claire to other parents.
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by
Parent
on 07/09/2014
Response by
Claire A
on 10/09/2014:
Thank you so much for your lovely review! I love having your boys! Cx
