Hedgehog

A loving environment, trustworthy devoted staff

Our 19-month-old son has been with this nursery since he was 12 months and before him his sister went aged 10 months until she began school. The nursery is a long way from our daughter's school and so geographically not at all convenient but it was the only place we ever considered for our son as our daughter had had such a positive experience there. Quite often she'd ask if she could go to nursery on her days off!

Kate and the team have been like a second family to us, enormously supportive, flexible, always making time to feed back about highlights or any concerns from the day verbally or with a personal Whatsapp. On top of that, I get a daily WhatsApp with details of what our son has eaten and what activities he's done and enjoyed and a summary of highlights. We also get photos by WhatsApp when the children are doing something fun or if they've caught a sweet moment. It's a nursery where the staff spend their time caring for the children rather than creating detailed photo records for each child daily, but we don't feel at all out of the loop. Whoever is at the door at pick-up time always lets us know how our son has been that day and any concerns or highlights. It's also very easy to have direct contact with individual staff as well as the owner - each will respond to direct messages quickly.

The overall feeling we have towards Hedgehog House is trust: we feel our children are safe there and also that they are the priority. There is a sense, particularly from the owner Kate, of devotion – childcare is not just her job, it's her calling and she goes above and beyond to look after the children and make sure they thrive and have a positive atmosphere for learning and fun. All the staff there are so attentive and the atmosphere so loving and gentle - you see how they are with all the children at pick up times and even though it's often a very busy time, there's no sense of stress or of any of the children not being attended to or treated with kindness.

The response of both our children says a lot too - both were clingy and we worried nursery would be a hard transition. But not at all – the staff are all so experienced and intuitive and loving, it gives the children confidence to relax there. There is also a very low staff turnover, which feels reassuring. It must also be a good place to work.

Our son has had some developmental delays - physical ones, gross motor specifically. He still can't walk. But the staff have worked with him every day to encourage him and help him and they give us feedback on how he's doing as well as encouragement (they know he's also under the care of a paediatrician). He's also got some digestive issues and have been incredibly supportive as we try cutting certain things out of his diet to see what may improve things for him. I feel totally confident that they are vigilant about everything that goes into his mouth.

Our son is using lots of words and understands everything. He has learned how to use a spoon and fork and not to throw his food. I credit Hedgehog House with a lot of this progress. Also, though he can't walk, he's learned to move about and climb and the physical environment at HH has made this safe for him to do, all of which helps him to build strength and confidence, which happens daily.

We get on well with all the staff. They go above and beyond in their jobs - the Christmas 'show' and party is (just) one example; they all dress up, rehearse a song to perform with the kids and and the children all get a book from 'Santa' and they make it a really special event.

We'll be very sad when it's time for our son to leave!

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Kate about Hedgehog on 09/02/2023

Top Brixton child minder

Our twins Theo & Helene (3 years old) have been at Hedgehog for 2 years, we live locally. They are extremely happy there and we are delighted with their experience at Hedgehog.
It is a decent sized terrace house, with around 10 children (although it varies from day to day). There is a garden, plenty of toys and decent facilities. Not gleaming shiny new, but well loved and looked after.
The staff are very attentive and Theo & Helene talk about them all the time. The staff provide a fantastic learning environment, and T&H's development there has been striking to observe. There are all kinds of activities, from song singing with local musician Jane Ruby to outings to the London Aquarium.
The kids do all kinds of creative activities like making cards or jewellery.
They have learned all their letters and numbers already, and picked up a bit of Spanish as well. They know all kinds of songs and love listening to stories.
Above all, the atmosphere at Hedgehog is like that of a big, happy family. The kids feel really cared for and loved, and the staff are very natural and affectionate with the kids,
Kate runs the place expertly. Everything is well organised and nothing is too much trouble.
Can't recommend the place enough.
James & Beatrice

• Overall

by Parent about Hedgehog on 21/03/2015