My daughter has been going to Barbara 5 days a week since she was 11months for the passed 4 years. Over that time she has become incredibly fond of Barbara and will miss her very much as she transitions into school.

Barbara treats the children as her own. She is very caring and nurturing towards them and there is always an emphasis placed on learning in all activities she engages the children with.

She creates a great balance between indoor and outdoor activities (weather allowing), taking the children on woodland walks, visiting parks, farms, and garden centres which has given our daughter an invaluable lesson on connecting with nature.

When indoors, Barbara engages the children with play based learning sessions. On one day it might be games (like k’nex) that develop their motor skills, another may be craft activities using paints, colour pencils, glue to spark their creative side and practicing their writing skills, and there’s always an element of reading from a wide array of books that Barbara stocks or from what the children have chosen from their visits to the library. She teaches them life skills and lots of learning opportunities by visiting the library and going to play groups, develops their social skills by having the chance to meet other children.

My daughter has started Reception now but keep asking if she can still come to Barbara as she misses and loves her very much and Barbara will always have a special place in her heart.

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• Communication