Clara Mackay's Reviews

Fantastic childcare provider

My wife and I have known Clara for a number of years and have heard nothing but excellent reviews from people who have used her to look after their children. Therefore with our daughter there was absolutely no question of who we would want to look after her. Clara is a friendly, energetic and enthusiastic childminder who obviously loves looking after children. Her home is clean and tidy and the children treated as if they were her own. She makes our daughter feel comfortable and at home when she is there and our daughter absolutely loves going. We would highly recommend Clara for anybody seeking a childminder.

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by Parent about Clara Mackay on 15/03/2017

Genuine passion for children

We found Clara after our second daughter Gabriella still hadn't settled at nursery after 9 months. Although other childminders that we'd visited seemed good, Clara by far stood out as being the most passionate about children and their wellbeing.

Her home is so welcoming, with the playroom offering lots of opportunities for the children to choose toys/activities for themselves. She is also brave enough to let them paint etc. in her kitchen and we received some lovely creations at Christmas time that they had made! Even though Gabriella only started at the beginning of winter, they still get wrapped up warm and enjoy the fresh air in Clara's garden, playing with water, chalk boards and other outdoor toys.

Clara normally makes plans for the morning, such as playgroups, parks or going to other childminders houses/having them round to her house so the children can socialise with others. I know our daughter feels secure with Clara as she will go off and play knowing that Clara's there if she needs her. I think it's great how Clara understands how children need that in order to explore independently and we share the belief that you can't spoil a child with affection! She will comfort Gabriella if she is feeling overwhelmed, upset, tired, etc. This is undoubtedly why she settled so quickly with Clara and is now thriving. After just 3 months of being with Clara for 3 days a week our little girl is so much happier!

I feel completely able to discuss any concerns I may have about Gabriella, as Clara is always genuinely interested and I value her advice as both childcare provider and mum. She always has time for you and provides good feedback at the end of the day. She is also very flexible with each individual child and adapts to suit them (within reason). For example, for the first month or so Clara found Gabriella liked to nap in her pram rather than in the playroom so that wasn't a problem! After that Gabriella decided it was comfier in the reclining chair where she now enjoys sleeping, showing they are given choices and their preferences are respected.

Our daughter also loves Clara's cooking. The nutritious homemade meals go down a treat, sometimes even second helpings! Healthy snacks are provided during the day and she ensures drinks are regularly offered.

Overall I can't recommend Clara enough and we have already arranged for our third child to start later in the year!

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by Parent about Clara Mackay on 22/01/2017

An absolute pleasure, superb Childminder

Clara was highly recommended to us by a friend.

The time to find the most suitable childcare for our one year old little girl had arrived.

It is such a daunting experience,I suppose it is all new,however such a huge responsibility.We wanted as parents to find the most suitable care,which covers a whole range of factors,ranging from learning,creating,social skills,healthy food,being made to feel welcome and comfortable in your surroundings.The list goes on.......

We can safely say,we went to visit Clara at 'Little Ninos',we where made to feel so welcome.
We have never looked back.

Clara takes time to provide the best for the children in her care.Her home and family also show this.
Taking pride in everything that she does.It is a pleasure to drop off in a morning,just to see the carefully thought up playroom,with different themes.

Clara also visits the local children's centres,parks and libraries.

We are kept informed by a daily record book.

Another valuable aspect is the way Clara teaches the children Spanish words and some basics.It is amazing how much they pick up,coming home reciting the words,it is just wonderful to hear.
We feel like we can talk to Clara at anytime about any anxieties or just to speak about the happy little things that happen.

Having a good healthy diet is also very important,this is certainly no problem.Clara provides home cooked food and a variety of healthy snacks.Alongside this ensuring that the children get involved with the preparation etc.

As it was time for our little girl to move onto school,we where just happy that we could carry on seeing Clara.
Yes,without a doubt we then sent our second little girl to 'Little Ninos'.

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by Parent about Clara Mackay on 25/09/2016

Highly Recommended

I cannot rate or recommend Clara highly enough!

We heard about Clara on recommendation after much searching as to the most appropriate childcare option for our family and I have to say it has been one of the best decisions we have made. Clara, her home and family are warm and welcoming and from our first introduction, we knew we had found the right person to look after our little girl. Clara fills the days with activities and trips and structures the day around the children including nap times and quiet activities. Clara cooks home cooked fresh food, which was reassuring for us and as Clara is Spanish she talks to our little girl in spanish, teaching her words and phrases and she is picking these up and repeating words with ease which we were really pleased and surprised with. Clara and family treat our little girl as part of the family and always take time to update us on the day they have had and how she has been when we pick her up. The ultimate testament really is that our little girl is evidently happy being with Clara.....and if she is happy, then to us, that is all that matters!

I would recommend Clara to anyone without hesitation and cannot thank her and her family enough and we would be lost without her!

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by Parent about Clara Mackay on 08/09/2016

Clara is just brilliant and her passion and energy

Clara has provided everything that is important to us when considering childcare for our little boy. Our little boy is now 3 ½ and Clara has been caring for him since he was 12 x months old. He initially attended 3 x days a week a now attends for 4 full days. He is extremely happy, confident, sociable, kind and caring and we believe Clara has contributed massively to his development.

When considering childcare options I visited several nurseries in the area but found that these did not provide the full package of rounded care that was important for us, such as play, socialisation, and nutrition in a homely environment. I had seen Clara at the local library/play centre before my little boy was born and I can remember how happy the children were with her and how she interacted positively with them. Clara was also recommended to us by another parent whose children are cared for by her. When I met with Clara for the first time I knew straight away that she was the right person to look after our child. She was genuine, warm, caring and most importantly saw my child as a little individual with his own personality.

Clara ensures that she provides a full and varied range of activities for the children she cares for. Every day is planned with new and interesting things for our child to experience. She supports children to local community facilities such as the library and community centre where children can play and interact with other children in a safe environment. She takes them to the library on a regular basis where they enjoy story time. Clara is mindful in making the most of outdoor space which is really important for play, particularly for boys! either in her own garden with a range of messy play and outdoor toys or making use of the local countryside such as Birkacre, Duxbury and Astley Park.

Our little boy loves baking with her and as well as painting and making things.

Clara provides excellent, homemade meals which is really important given we had taken the time to start our little boy on home prepared meals using fresh products from an early age. Our little boy loves his meals at Clara’s and has developed a healthy interest in food. There is no fussy eating in our house given he enjoys a range of flavours in some of the Spanish food she prepares. This passion shines through when discussing the mealtimes at drop offs.

Clara always provides us with 1:1 time to discuss and share any anxieties. She always gives us time in the mornings and at the end of the day to talk about our little boy’s day. She provides a communication book which we have enjoyed completing and provides an interesting copy of our child’s development when we read it back. Clara sends us lots of photographs at the end of each week which again we have been able to keep and look back on as our child has developed and grown.

Our little boy loves learning his numbers and days of the week in Spanish and this is something we would like to continue to develop with him once he moves on to school. He often comes home with a new song learnt during the day.

We would certainly recommend Clara to anyone who is seeking individualised care in a safe and homely environment. Our child settled very quickly with her which was really reassuring when I returned to work from maternity leave. Clara is just brilliant and her passion and energy for looking after children is always evident.

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by Parent about Clara Mackay on 21/03/2016

High Standard of Genuine Care in a Happy Welcoming

We now have our third child in the care of Clara. It is immediately obvious when you meet Clara that she genuinely cares for the children she has. There is always a happy atmosphere at her house. Clara is very patient with our children (far more than us!)

After care, food is our next most important requirement. We believe when children eat well and eat properly they thrive; behaviour is better, learning is promoted and above all the child remains healthy. Clara cooks a ‘proper’ lunch everyday. She is passionate about food and this shows. She introduces to new food to the children as appropriate.

Clara regularly attends various local events and gives the children chance to socialise in larger groups. This is important to us and we are glad she does this. She also arranges regular meet ups with other child minders in the area. I know that our children particularly enjoy this.

Clara will devote however much time you like at either end of the day to discuss things. We receive a thorough report every day on each of the children. We also receive weekly emails with lots of photos of all the actives done each week.

Language - As en extra bonus to the points above, Clara teaches the children Spanish words and sentences. Our eldest two children know many Spanish words and sentences, they seem to enjoy learning this (probably because they like Clara), hence besides making them feel good, they already have a distinct advantage.

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by Parent about Clara Mackay on 02/03/2016