My son started his settling in sessions with Carlene 18 months ago, has now been with Carlene full time for 15 months. He is so happy, and adores Carlene (and the family) which has made my return to work bearable and possible.

Carlene’s 3 children are probably the best advert for her, and her style. They are the 3 loveliest, friendliest, happiest children I have ever met and are all so interactive with my son. I really feel my son has an adoptive family and he often talks about them at home.

Carlene only looks after a small group of children, which means that they get the interaction with other children, while also getting some focused attention, rather than being one of a larger group. I am sure this has helped my son’s phenomenal development.

Almost every day the Children are on a trip somewhere, or out and about at a playgroup or play park. When they are at home, they play as well as do crafts and “educational play” (from shapes, animals etc to planting seeds and digging in the garden).

Carlene cooks a very healthy diet for the children and her family, but also relatively adventurous. But this means my son will eat almost anything.

I cannot rate Carlene highly enough and feel so fortunate that I found her just as she was starting up. I hope that she’ll have space for no 2 when the time comes as I want my second child to have the same love, support and fun as my son has.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication