Neil

Couldn't recommend Neil enough!

Due our second child imminently and new to the area, we were looking for childcare for Theo – our then 20 month old – for a few days a week. I came across Neil’s profile on Childcare.co.uk website and enquired about availability. At that time, he didn’t have any space available so had to look elsewhere. However, I came across Neil at a local National Trust property soon after the enquiry when I was with my son and was able to observe him with the 3 boys he had in his care when he was unaware that I had recognised him. I was immediately impressed with him – he was excellent with the boys, immersed in different games, reminding them of their manners and helping them develop their creativity outdoors. After the chance encounter I was set on putting our son on Neil’s waiting list. We did visit other settings in the meantime but Neil was worth the wait and incredibly glad that we did.
Theo has thrived under Neil’s care. Being a relatively shy boy, he became settled pretty quickly with Neil and the other boys. Over the last 6 months our daughter has also been with Neil and loved it. We absolutely loved that Neil took the kids out every day, something nurseries/preschools can’t do as easily. Neil mixes up locations each week, which are mainly outdoors based and include the woods, horse yards, different local parks, hobby farms, local marinas and walks by the river etc. He also takes them to garden centres, trampoline parks, soft plays and more. Neil has a group of other childminders that he meets up with from time to time and goes to a weekly playgroup with them all – so the kids get to socialise regularly with a larger number of children.
We like Neil’s set up with it being separate to his house – with an indoor area including toilet and outdoor area with an abundance of toys. At his settings, the kids play with the toys, make up games with each other, dance to songs, do arts and crafts and baking and much more. If the children nap still, they can do so in the main house in peace and quiet being monitored on a baby cam. He has a lovely wife and child that are great with the kids too. His son sometimes spends time with the children in the holidays and our two absolutely adore him.
Neil has built up a wonderful rapport with our children and us and we view him as an extension of the family. He has open and honest communication with daily updates of the children and pictures on whatsapp which we love to receive. He is flexible when needed and provides plenty of notice if required. We've been with Neil for over 2 years now and sincerely wish the kids could stay with him for longer but we now have 3 children and our eldest is starting school outside of Neil’s local area meaning we’ve had to get a nanny. We could not recommend Neil enough.

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by Kirsten about Neil on 12/08/2024

Fantastic childminder and can’t recommend enough !

Neil has been childminding our son Vince ( 23 months ) since November 2020 and looks after him for 4 days each week.
We have been extremely happy with the care Vince has received, and the great progress he has made whilst in Neil’s care. Neil’s home is always welcoming, clean and well organised and Vince has great fun playing with all the toys available and with the other children in his care.
Beyond all this though, it is Neil’s warm and friendly approach which sets him apart from other childminders we have experienced.
He provides a wide, fun range of activities including plenty of outdoor exercise, which we feel is important for an energy filled growing boy! Neil often takes the kids out to local attractions and national trust sites to let the children explore nature which we know they all love and we appreciate the extra effort.
Neil is a fantastic communicator and has no trouble in gaining Vince’s confidence and therefore encouraging good behaviour and kindness and compassion to others, both skills which are important to us at home. When Vince steps outside his boundaries he responds with helpful redirection and kind discipline explaining what we would like to see in terms which he understands. When Vince is hurt or feeling under the weather we know that he feels happy to be comforted by him and we are confident that he can administer either first aid or medication following all the correct procedures and completing the necessary records to ensure his health and safety.
Neil provides Vince with nutritious and well balanced meals for breakfast and lunch, and takes care to ensure that Vince eats a good amount. He provides a good range of both flavours and textures that often leave us jealous! We are also aware that Neil ensures good personal hygiene around meal and nappy change times - We are sure that it is this practice together with the cleanliness of the environment helps towards Vince’s overall health and he is always in clean nappies and clothes at pickup times which is very handy!
Even before we started with Neil he really took the time to understand what ours and Vince’s requirements were, and as first time parents we were quite nervous and eager to know how Vince was doing. Neil goes above and beyond to keep us fully up to speed on plans and updates at drop off, during the day via messages and at pick up. This helps us to feel involved with his care and we feel that we are more working in partnership with Neil so that continuity of care between us and him is maintained. This is reflected in Vince’s development which has been outstanding and accelerated since starting with Neil. In just a few short weeks Vince was up walking, running, climbing, understanding and starting to communicate non verbally and we see progression on all fronts which has been really positive, and only achieved through Neil taking the time to truly understand Vince and use a flexible and adaptable approach to his care.
All in all we are thoroughly happy with the level of care Vince receives and we are certain that being in such a positive and happy environment is helping him develop into a confident and self assured little boy. All of this is reflected by how happy and excited Vince is when we arrive at Neil’s in the mornings - and that is proof beyond all doubt in our minds.
We would absolutely recommend Neil as an excellent and reliable childminder.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Adam about Neil on 09/07/2021