Carlene

A great find

Carlene has provided a lovely nurturing environment for our daughter. She loves Carlene and always looks forward to going. The experiences she has are always interesting and our daughter likes to chat about them after pick up.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Hannah about Carlene on 01/07/2024

She’s simply fabulous

We are incredibly grateful to have had Carlene care for both of our children. She provides a nurturing, safe, and engaging environment where our kids have thrived and my youngest continues to. Her warmth, patience, and genuine care are evident every day. The activities she plans are both fun and educational, and our children always look forward to their time with her. My eldest absolutely adored Carlene and would always get excited to see her when he was in her care (he is now in school) and she’s fabulous with my youngest who is just 6 months old and she’s taken to Carlene beautifully. Communication has always been excellent, keeping us informed and reassured (which I very much appreciate). We highly recommend Carlene to any family looking for a dedicated and caring childminder, we actually moved away and then moved back to Winchester where I had my daughter and knew that when it came to me going back to work, Carlene was the lady I would be contacting for her!

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Kirsha about Carlene on 09/06/2024

The most imaginative & nurturing childcare setting

Our little boy started with Carlene when he was 1 and within weeks his speech and confidence took off. I was nervous at leaving him but Carlene's communication was fantastic - she would drop us a text to let us know as soon as he settled and what he was playing with, which helped me feel confident at work as well. I love seeing her write ups of their days on tapestry, but I also love that she has time to talk to us at pick up too.

Every day when we pick Danny up Carlene tells us in detail what they did that day. She knows the children and celebrates their acheivements wholeheartedly and will notice when Danny learnt new words, and help him in his interests and wish to be independent. She takes the children out to interesting places every day, but also helps them to wonder at the everyday - with trips to the park to try different toys on the slide, or to the cathedral or picnics around the area.

Carlene provides a varied diet for the children and consistent routines in meal times and naps, so that I suspect Danny eats more politely and definitely naps more consistently with her than at home now! We couldn't be happier with her and Danny absolutely loves his days with her.

Thank you.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by K Palmer about Carlene on 26/09/2022

Everyday Adventures

We are so happy to send our daughter to Carlene’s. Each day they spend so much time out on adventures, meeting other children or playing with Carlene’s pets. Her home is always welcoming and full of all her favourite toys and books. Carlene seems to have endless energy and is full of fun, creative activities.
We love reading her updates on what they’ve been up to each day, and it’s great to read the regular developmental reports she does so that we know how our daughter is progressing.
It’s obvious how much the children love Carlene and all her family and we couldn’t be happier with her as a childminder.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Rosalind about Carlene on 25/09/2022

second family

Where do I begin! Carlene has been looking after my daughter (almost 4) for coming up 3 years. I initially wanted my daughter to go to a home from home environment and as soon as I met Carlene and her family I knew it would be the perfect setting. My daughter has absolutely thrived since being in Carlene’s environment, the experiences she has had there are invaluable. My daughter is always happy at drop off and collection, excited to tell me about her day. Carlene is very adaptive and flexible, she encourages positive values, healthy living, education and play. The children spend a lot of time playing outside and going to different places for days out which they love! Carlene provides healthy lunches and snacks for my little girl.

Carlenes family are like a second family to my daughter. Her husband, 3 children (and pets) are just the best, kindest people. My daughter loves the school holidays where she gets to spend more time with Carlene’s children.

I couldn’t recommend Carlene enough and am forever grateful that I found her.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by char about Carlene on 25/09/2022