My daughter was looked after by Charmaine for about a year from around 18 months, unfortunately we had to move due to relocating. Charmaine is naturally warm, friendly and kind which is super important when leaving your child in somebody else's care (especially when its your first child and you have all the usual anxieties). Her home is bright, clean and tidy and has excellent toys, learning resources and a lovely back garden.

One of Charmaine's rarest qualities was her lovely homecooked food! Our daughter loved every meal, which were always balanced and healthy and made with love. Charmaine provided healthy snacks and meals everyday. This is quite rare as lots of childminders and nurseries offer basic meals like pasta everyday with sugary and salty snacks. Charmaine had a good community with other childminders and took our daughter to regular playgroups, playgrounds, local softplay and more.
Charmaine has her own children, 2 boys who are very polite and a joy to be around. Our daughter really benefitted from socialising with older (primary school age) children and we believe this helped her language skills tremendously.

One of our favourite things about Charmaine was her ease and flexibility. It meant that if we had a change in schedule, or needed extra/less days she was able to accommodate. In addition it meant that she appreciated our daughter for the individual she is - adapting to her needs and providing care, attention and life lessons where needed. Often childcare providers can be strict and rigid and try to mould your child in their own image, comparing them to other kids e.g. "Child X is using the potty now, you should too.". Charmaine never did this, she treated our daughter like one of her own.

Our daughter still talks about Charmaine months after leaving, which is just so sweet and speaks volumes of her time there. Overall I would highly recommend Charmaine as a childminder, you will feel like part of her family.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication