Julie Tod has been my daughter, Tessa’s childminder for nearly a year. My husband and I have found her to be excellent in every aspect of our daughter’s care. Julie has been extremely professional and reliable and has not had a day off in the whole time she has been our childminder. Tessa was nearly ten months old when she began going to Julie’s twice a week and has always been happy there. She enjoyed her settling in sessions and has always been excited to go to Julie’s, running through the door once she had learned to walk. Tessa has a significant amount of time one on one with adults on the days where she doesn’t go to Julie’s and it has been really beneficial for her to play with the other children, which she enjoys.

Julie has always kept us informed about Tessa’s day through the use of a notebook, which has been really useful in case we forget to ask how much she has slept or what she has eaten. In addition, the tracking of Tessa’s progress against the EYFS on the online site Orbit has been a fantastic way for us to monitor Tessa’s development. My mother has also been able to add photographs and notes about Tessa on the days when she looks after her.

Julie is caring and kind and Tessa has brought homemade cards home on special occasions and often takes part in activities related to books or topical events. There are a wide array of toys and books in Julie’s playroom and Tessa loves playing there. Julie encourages imaginative play, reading and counting, which Tessa loves. Furthermore, there is an excellent outdoor area with lots of toys for days when the weather is dry.

Julie and Tessa have a fantastic bond and one of the saddest parts of our move out of the area will be that Tessa has to change childcare.

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