Dawn

Top class childminder

After meeting Dawn for the first time, I knew that I wanted my 6 month old to be in a mixed age, small setting. A year on and he continues to amaze us daily by doing things he has learnt with Dawn and picked up from the other children. He bought his first painting home at 11 months old and has always included in everything the older children do - crafts, cooking, singing, reading. There is nothing that they exclude him from for being too young.

All of the food is healthy and home cooked which he loves and there is no fussiness at all - he never stops eating! On top of healthy eating, Dawn puts a great emphasis on manners and he's learnt very young to sit nicely when eating, say thank you and even put his hand over his mouth when coughing.

I cannot rate Dawn highly enough for the boundless energy she puts into everything she does with the children and the photos on babysdays every day makes me feel like I'm there with him when he does his cooking and painting.

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by Parent on 13/03/2017

An exemplary childminding setting

Since being introduced to Dawn through neighbours, both our children have attended the setting full time from the age of 1. Not only have they made lots of valuable friendships, but they have been encouraged to learn in a structured, safe and inspiring environment.

Manners and values are central to how Dawn approaches her work, and we've always been impressed about her constant focus on continuously moving with the times and keeping up to date and ahead of requirements. Being able to log onto her online platform and know everything the boys had done that day was great right down to meals, activities and even toilet habits! Unlike a segregated nursery we loved how the children of all ages were together - allowing the small ones to aspire to develop as well as being supported by the older children who further grew from the responsibility of setting an example. Having our two children (2 years apart) together has strengthened their bond.

The quality of her EYFS teaching has given our eldest the perfect platform for when he went to school last September.

Dawn cooks lovely and varied home cooked meals and the children always eat everything!

Activities are wide ranging with trips out and the full enjoyment of a huge sensory garden at the back of the setting. Dawn teaches about cultures, religions, and puts on vocational role plays like post offices or pretend roads complete with mini traffic wardens!

Our children are so polite and caring and the platform that Dawn provided is a major factor in this. I cannot recommend her enough, not least due to the very flexible opening hours with earlier starts and later finishes than most places

A superb setting

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by Parent on 12/03/2017

ABSOLUTEY INCREDIBLE CHILDCARE!!

I have been using Dawn since January this year to care for my two youngest children (aged 2 years and 10 months)

Being honest, I was very sceptical that a child minder could offer the same level of service that a nursery setting could provide. I have looked at many different childcare settings previously and I just didn't get a good feel, however with two children needing full time spaces we couldn't commit to the nursery fees.

When I met Dawn, I instantly knew that my children would not only be cared for in every sense of the word, but they would thrive in her care. Her expertise, knowledge and confidence in everything 'children' shows. Both Dawn and her assistant provide a happy, fun setting where children develop their confidence and turn in to wonderful little people. There is nothing worse than dropping children off when they aren't happy to be there and you have reservations too, I can honestly say I have never had, even a slight concern that my boys aren't completely thrilled for me to go back to work!

The home cooked food and snacks provided are delicious (my two year olds words!) The daily activities that the children are encouraged to do and her outside space make me want to stay and play! No honestly, I haven't seen a mud kitchen quite like it!!

Myself and my husband cannot recommend Dawn highly enough. I just wish I had found her when my eldest son needed it, it would have made returning back to work the first time so much easier. Fabulous woman!

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by Parent on 10/03/2017

The best childminder!

We starting using Dawny's childminding in 2012 when my Son was only 8months old. Dawn made going back to work a lot easier as I knew he would be well cared for in a home from home setting. He learnt and developed so much going there. The setting is fab, no two days are ever the same, the tasks are tailored to the children's ages and abilities, taking into account the child's interests. Dawn's garden is perfect for the children with many different areas for them to explore. He is now at school but returns to Dawn in school holidays.

When I found out I was pregnant with my 2nd- it was a no brainer to ask Dawn to be his childminder too. I wouldn't consider using anyone else. My 2nd has been going to Dawn from 11months old and has been there since June 2016.

I love how Dawn makes every child feel special and you can tell that the children all love going there.

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by Parent on 10/03/2017

best childminder i have had soo far

Dawn is the best childminder i have had soo far. There is great communication between yourself and her. She makes u feel ur child is safe wherever u are. I will surely recommend her to anyone as she is reliable. Thanks dawn for looking after denzel for me. U are the BEST!!!

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by tee_miss on 19/06/2015

Fantastic! So glad I found her!

My little boy (now 22 months) spent his first few months after I went back to work at a nursery, he cried constantly when I left him and picked him up, had nappy rash and there were many other issues. I looked around for other childcare and decided to move him to the care of Dawn and Nicola - I have been absolutely trilled with them, he is a lot happier and his confidence and speech if growing more and more each day. As I am freelance they have also been very flexible in having him for extra days if required. I am very happy and reassured that my little one is getting the care he needs, and he is so much happier - I couldn't ask for more :)

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by Parent on 20/05/2013

WONDERFUL IS NOT THE WORD!!

Dawn has been looking after my son Freddie who is now 5, since he was 6 months old and my daughter Holly who is 8, since she was 4. Dawn and her daughter Nicola have given our children the best start on every part of their learning journey. They have ensured that we as parents have always felt part of their family and we would like to think that they feel part of ours! We consider them to be the very best in childminding and my children have had and will continue to have such wonderful experiences with them.
As busy full-time working parents, Dawn has always been ready to listen, chat and offer support when needed and we have felt totally reassured that Holly and Freddie were in the best possible care.
She has always been so flexible with us and happy to change her plans to accommodate our changing needs over the years. Freddie loves "Dawny" and has such happy memories of fun filled days to treasure forever. Holly has always been a little shy and nervous and dawn and Nicola have worked hard with her to reassure her and take things at her own pace. I cannot recommend Dawn and Nicola enough and will be forever thankful for providing our children with the best start in their formative years!

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by Parent on 21/04/2013

Couldn't wish for better......

Dawn and her daughter Nicola currently look after my 17 month old son Bobbie, he has been with them nearly 5 months and absolutely loves it.

My son, as for all parents, is the most important thing in my life and it was vital for me that I found somewhere I was completely happy to leave him and have peace of mind as I went off to work....

I really couldn't have found better, Dawn and Nicola provide a secure, inviting, friendly, visually stimuating setting and he is thriving because of thier hard work.

He runs out of the car to go in and begin his day, I cant wait to get home from work to read his incredibly eventful book and catch up on what he's been up to...... From visiting groups, to walks, to all kinds of craft and baking, he really doesn't have 2 days the same. I am also provided with photos to back all this up which will allow him ( and me ) to look back on his life in years to come.

They are flexible and are often able to help me out if I am requested to do extra days at work which in turn enables me to be a flexible working mum.

I really can't praise them highly enough and express the difference that they are making to shape my sons future. xx

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by Parent on 19/04/2013

Brilliant , Super , Exceptional ...

My daughter who is now 12, has been carefully cared for by Dawn for the past 10 years. We really couldn't have wished for anybody better to look after our daughter.

Dawn provides a really caring, secure but disciplined environment for the children that she looks after. Taya started senior school last year and one of our considerations in choosing her school as she turned 11 was that she was still able to be looked after by Dawn after school. This was also a big factor when Taya was 4 and we were selecting her primary school.

Back then three of the factors in determining what a great childminder Dawn is

1. the happiness shown on Taya's face when we peep through the window when she doesn't know we are there
2. the compliments that we receive for Taya's manners and social skills
3. the awareness Taya has of the local community - through long walks regardless of the weather!!

Dawn seems to have the magic touch when it come to caring for the children and has a huge amount of energy which she devotes to kids groups, arts and crafts, cooking, reading and writing. I certainly felt that by the time Taya started school she had had so many experiences with Dawn that she was able to talk about.

As Taya has grown older Dawn has continued to care for her after school and during the holidays. Taya has a huge amount of respect for Dawn who she thinks the world of! Over the years that have developed a lovely relationship.

If there is an award for Childminder of the Year, or should we say Decade, then Dawn certainly gets our vote.

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by Parent on 18/04/2013