frances smedley's Reviews

We miss Frances!

My daughter was with Frances from the age of 18 months to almost 4 years and we couln't have been happier with our childcare arrangements. Frances is a warm and caring person with lots of creative ideas. We were always amazed at all the things she came up with and we now have a whole box of great artwork from all these years. Every few weeks Frances focuses on a different topic and there are books, songs, arts and crafts, baking etc on that topic.
As others here mentioned, the daily update in the report book is a great way to learn about your child's day and the portfolio and development report we got from time to time was superb. Frances deeply cares for the kids and tries to find different ways to support them. As my daughter's mother language is German, Frances thought of ways to make her more at ease with English and has been a tremendous help in bringing out the best in my daughter's development. We have now lived abroad for a while, but my daughter still talks a lot about Frances and her assistants and she misses her a lot. We all miss her!

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by sunny82 about frances smedley on 09/09/2019

A home from home

My son has been with Frances and her assistants since he was 11 months old (now 19 months). As a first time Mum I was initially anxious about going back to work but Frances reassured me that everything would be okay. Starting gradually with just two hours, then building to three, five and then a full day really helped both me and my son with the transition. Now I don't even worry for a second after I hand over care to Frances. I know my son will have a great day with morning songs and actions, lots of themed activities, painting, storytime and also freedom to just play and run around. If he ever needs a cuddle Frances and her assistants are wonderful. My son always smiles when I mention their names. The daily reports and whatsapp group texts/photos also keep me up to date with his progress and genuinely demonstrates their interest in his development and wellbeing. It's wonderful to know he is being nurtured and loved surrounded by other children of varying ages (babies and toddlers).
Now that we are leaving London I will miss the support of Frances and her amazing team.

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by Richella about frances smedley on 19/06/2019

Highly recommend

Frances provided a home from home for our daughter from the age of 14 months to 5 years when we moved away from the area. She was flexible, very reliable and provided a great start for our little girl’s schooling. We will all miss her!

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by Parent about frances smedley on 08/09/2018

Flexible, reliable and fun

My son and daughter were in Frances’ care from 2014 and 2016 respectively.
Frances and her team are caring, warm and welcoming and once my kids settled in, they would happily just leave me on the doorstep and follow Frances into her home.
They both really enjoyed themselves and made friends with local kids who they later attended nursery with.
I believe daily activities, songs, games and routines helped prepare them for nursery.
I really enjoyed receiving written updates informing me about what my kids did on a particular day, as well as regular newsletters explaining upcoming themes and activities.
I particularly loved sampling some of the biscuits and muffins kids helped to make!

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by Parent about frances smedley on 13/08/2018

Frances and her team are simply wonderful!

Our son has had the best start with Frances. Sending our son to Frances was the best decision we made. We contemplated a nursery too but I’m so pleased we chose a childminder, the nurseries were quite overwhelming and our son seemed so ‘little’ (at just 7 months old)! This was the perfect balance and the care has been second to none.

When we first went to meet Frances, in her beautiful home, she was warm, friendly and welcoming and more importantly she listened to what we needed. As a new mum I was so anxious to leave my child with anyone but I knew from meeting Frances that she would care for our son the way any of our family would.

For the next two years our son attended Frances’ house three days a week and he was incredibly happy each day. He met lots of amazing friends and every day he would be entertained and encouraged by Frances and her incredible team of assistants. Every evening when we collected him they had detailed his day in a lovely diary book that included pictures, songs and core learning as well as his art/craft work. His speech, social skills and his all round confidence soared during his time there. He went from being a baby to a confident little boy!

Frances and her team are the most caring, nurturing and attentive team we could have wished for. Our son misses them so much and so do we!

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by Parent about frances smedley on 22/05/2018

Really lovely place

Our son, now 20 months, has been really enjoying his time with Frances. The environment she has created is very warm, where children learn together and seem to really like each others' company. We particularly liked the way in which, because she has employed some (excellent) assistants, there is a good sized group of kids: it makes Frances's home have the group feel of a mini nursery, coupled with the close attention and homeliness of a childminder. Our son loves the outdoor space, and the children spend lots of time outside every day, as well as regular trips to the Heath etc. The daily diary is a lovely thing to read at the end of each day, and we really appreciate knowing how he's been progressing. Frances herself has been extremely accomodating, going out of her way to help with our arrangements and needs.

We feel very lucky to have found Frances, and highly recommend her and her team!

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by Parent about frances smedley on 14/09/2017

Wonderful Care

My daughter started with Frances Jan 2016 when she was 2 and a half and was in Frances care full time until she started school nurseryin Sept 2016. Whilst at school nursery Frances also provided the wrap around care with the nursery hours not be full time.

For me I liked that it felt like a mini nursery due to Frances having qualified help but in a relaxed home environment so the child is getting the benefits of a nursery but in a much nicer relaxed home environment.

She takes the children out regularly and each day has interesting activities planned.

I don't think my daughter would have started school nursery on such an excellent footing had it not been for Frances. Frances makes sure each day was educational but fun ! my daughter when she started school could do far more than her peers like her A,B,C's , numbers , shapes etc.

I would highly recommend Frances to other parents and carers - this I have done already !

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by Parent about frances smedley on 21/07/2017

Frances is the best!

We came to Frances when we moved to London and didn't know anyone around. Our son (now 3.5 years old) has been with Frances full time since he was 22 months old.

Frances has looked after him with great care, while understanding his needs and providing a fun and caring environment. Our son has learnt so much kindness, politeness and good manners from her and has always loved going back to her every morning. Frances has guided him to achieve skills appropriate for his age, she also did a great job with teaching him numbers, alphabets, writing & phonetics to an greater extent than the nursery school does for the age.

Frances is extremely flexible, helpful and generous, which was key to us when we were juggling other responsibilities and commitments. She has been the best teacher and role model for our son so far and we now miss her influence on him as our son has started nursery.

I would highly recommend Frances!!

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by sushma about frances smedley on 19/07/2017

Frances is fantastic!

We came to Frances after a disappointing and frustrating experience with a different childminder. This naturally made us more cautious and nervous but as they say these things happen for a reason and now we’re so glad it did because meeting Frances was the best thing that could have happened.

Our daughter was with Frances full time from when she was 9 months old to 3.5years and absolutely adores her, her family and Nancy (Assistant) - It’s fair to say that she misses them a great deal.

Frances provides a fun, caring and stable environment, taking the children on outings, planning activities and ensuring lots of stimulation. Our daughter learnt so much both in terms skills but values too - kindness, manners and fairness and whenever we are complimented on her behaviour we give credit where it’s due which is with Frances.

For us, France’s calm nature, reliability, flexibility and general loveliness made it so much easier leaving our daughter in her care. It really was like leaving her with family.

Would we recommend Frances? 100% in fact, we’d say you’re exceptionally lucky if you get to work with her.

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by Parent about frances smedley on 08/06/2016

Amazing

My son has just finished almost 2 years of being looked after by Frances 3 days a week (since he was 11 months). He settled in really very quickly and has always absolutely loved his time there. He has thrived in her care and the environment she creates for the kids - we are going to miss her and Nancy (who helps on some days) a lot!

The facilities in Frances's home are really geared towards looking after little people, with a great play room in the garden and plenty of space for the kids to run around. The also often go to the Heath to play, either to the park for picnics, or to one of local kids activity centres.

I couldn't recommend Frances highly enough - you can be totally confident of leaving your children in her care.

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by Rosanna about frances smedley on 09/11/2015