Joanne H's Reviews
Childminder
5 out of 5
Parents say
This childminder is consistently praised for providing exceptional care in a loving, home-like environment. Parents highlight her dedication, reliability, and fun approach. Children thrive under her care, enjoying varied activities and outings. The childminder is described as trustworthy, flexible, and genuinely caring, fostering children's development and preparing them well for nursery or school.
Summary generated by AI from the text of most recent member reviews
Parent reviews
Below are the latest reviews for joanne h. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk members and not of Childcare.co.uk. Parents must carry out their own checks and references on childcare providers to ensure that they are completely happy before enaging in the use of their services.
We were so lucky to have Jojo as our son's childminder for 2 years from Sept 2021- July 2023. As the first childcare setting our son experienced, we were unsure how long he would take to settle, especially being born during lockdown. We needn't have worried as he absolutely thrived in Jo's care and he still talks about her and misses her, even 9months since he moved on to Nursery. Jo is as dedicated, reliable and fun as you might hope a childminder could be. She has the children out enjoying an unbelievably wide variety of activities and experiences. She gave our son such a wonderful foundation for his early education and he's thrived since at nursery. We couldn't recommend her more highly.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Aideen
on 01/04/2024
The first time I met Jo, or Jojo as the children fondly call her, I immediately knew that she would be my daughter’s childminder. Jo’s warmth, friendliness, honesty and approachable nature were evident from the start. She answered all of my questions openly and spent time ensuring my 9-month-old felt comfortable exploring, interacting with her easily, and putting me at ease too! For my daughter. it was like going from home to home – outstanding care, love and attention. I felt 100% confident that she was always in the safest of hands and my child was always happy to go each day, thoroughly enjoying herself, right up to the time when she started school in September. Both my daughter and I were sad to leave Jo however she has a huge amount of wonderful memories of the experiences she had. Jo ensured that the children had a range of activities each week and visited many exciting, engaging places from which she learned much. My daughter also regularly attended playgroups, and local parks and met up with other childminders which greatly developed her social skills, independence and confidence, which has prepared her for starting school. Jo knew my daughter incredibly well and build a strong relationship with her, understanding her needs and development. Jo supported her development in every area with patience and fun – from personal care to physical development, creativity to communication – the care was amazing!
Jo is trustworthy, down to earth, supportive and flexible, as well as having a vast amount of experience. Jo provides excellent communication and I always received a full account of my daughter’s day. I especially loved receiving regular photos of the activities and outings and seeing my daughter having a wonderful time and experiencing so many fun things! At the end of her time with Jo, my daughter received two lovely journals full of photos of her learning journey and experiences with Jo from 9 months to 4 years old. Very precious memories! Jo was the best childminder for my daughter from start to finish and I cannot recommend her highly enough.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Chrissie
on 08/12/2022
Response by
joanne h
on 08/12/2022:
Thank you so much Chrissy. Was an absolute pleasure looking after her, can’t wait for the inset days. X
Our son Tommy spent 2, wonderful years with Jo Jo and her influence on him has been nothing but positive. He has learnt excellent road safety, good manners,lots of songs, knows to cover his mouth when coughing or sneezing and to not make too much noise when eating. Tommy really enjoyed all the trips that he went on with Jo Jo and the rest of the gang, to places like Kew Gardens, London Zoo and fruit picking at various farms. We were very sad last week when he finally had to leave to move on to nursery school but sincerely hope that Jo Jo will continue to be part of his life somehow in the future.
We consider ourselves very lucky to have found Jo and are very grateful to her for all that she has done for us and Tommy and will definitely stay in touch !
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Christop
on 15/09/2020
My son, Tommy, started with a different childminder when he was 9 months old. She swiftly told me it wasn't working because he cried too much and wouldn't nap. Therefore when Tommy started with Jo in September 2018 I was quite worried and upset about it. There was no need to be. She has been absolutely amazing. Tommy settled so quickly and has been so happy there for the last two years.
Jo has taught him amazing manners, he always says his pleases and thank yous and she genuinely cares and looks after all the children amazingly well. They also do really fun things together and often go on trips to London Zoo or Kew Gardens etc. Jo is also incredibly reliable and willing to go out of her way to help.
Tommy started full time nursery in just a few days ago and leaving Jojo was a really sad day. She has been exceptional for the last two years and we are so grateful that we found her.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Communication
by
ELIZABET
on 15/09/2020
Jo is simply superb. She was our first childminder and we’re so sad to leave her recently due to moving country.
Our daughter loved her, settled in very quickly with Jo and the other children as it was a home from home.
I was particularly looking for a childminder that would be like a second mum for our young daughter...Jo was just that. She genuinely loves her job, puts so much thought into the children’s day etc and provides a secure and loving environment for them.
She is always out and about with the children and did a great variety of playgroups...lots of interaction with other children. I especially loved the day trips she organised to the zoo, fruit picking etc. Jo always went above and beyond...it isn’t just a 9-5 job for her.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Communication
by
Helen
on 15/09/2020
Jo was my son Joel's childminder from the age of 11 months until he turned 2. I was quite nervous about returning to work and leaving him but Jo was really supportive and understanding. We had a gradual settling in and Joel barely cried when I left him. Jo was brilliant at giving regular updates and sending photos to reassure me, especially during the first few weeks. She always takes the children out and about so they have a really varied week and always have lots of fun. I also really appreciated how sweet Jo was with Joel if he was ever a bit poorly - lots of cuddles and attention. Leaving my son with Jo really felt like leaving him with a relative who cared about him. I loved receiving photos of him having a brilliant time while I was at work. Joel still talks about "Jo-Jo" and I would thoroughly recommend her to anyone looking for the personal touch for their little ones.
-
Overall
by
Lucy
on 26/11/2019
Both of our kids were with Jojo from a few months to starting school. Cannot recommend her highly enough - Jo is always taking them to various activities or playgroups so they are always active and hanging out with bigger groups of children. This helped the kids develop socially without losing the personal care and attachment of a childminder (and Jo in particular).
Jo was incredibly accommodating about pick ups and drop offs, including to and from preschool when our youngest started there.
She is great with kids and a very caring and generous person. When they are around, her own children our fantastic with the kids too.
Cannot recommend her highly enough - we miss you Jojo!
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Parent
on 25/10/2018
As a first time mum I was so anxious about leaving my daughter full time to return to work, but my mind was put at ease straight away with Jojo! You will not find a more caring, fun, bubbly and experienced childminder, I am thankful that we found such a lovely childminder.
She provides a wonderful setting full of dancing, music, arts, and play time with other children. The kids will love her because she is bursting with affection and lovable-ness and the parents will appreciate her because she’s such a big help in so many ways, she was brilliant at giving us advice when we asked for it. My daughter was taken on wonderful trips, encouraged in so many ways, and most importantly made to feel special and welcome. The only reason we left Jojo was to move outside of the area, we were gutted and felt guilty when taking our daughter away from her, but we are grateful for the time they spent together.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Katie
on 04/10/2018
My daughter started with Jo at 10 months old after I had been to what felt like every nursery in Lambeth! As a first time mum I was obviously quite nervous and reluctant to leave my little one with anyone but Jo soon took those worries away. The support network that Jo has around her means that the children get a lot of social interaction with other children and minders which suited our little one perfectly as she is very social. We found the photos Jo would send throughout the day very reassuring especially in the early days, the greatest thing is that Jo embraced our strong willed little person, her own children were close to our daughter and her son babysits for us at times and they genuinely felt like extend family. Overall Jo is very supportive and her experience with children means there's nothing she hasn't seen before our daughter still asks to see Jo Jo, we are very thankful and feel lucky to have found her.
-
Overall
by
Dellah
on 13/09/2018
Jo was the first and only childminder we met, and we have never looked back! Our son started with Jo (Jo-Jo!) aged just 7 months. It was a scary time, going back to work and leaving him with a stranger, and Jo made it easier in so many ways from settling in sessions to carrying around expressed breastmilk and washable nappies! Jo was warm and kind with our son from the very beginning and he has formed a very close bond with her. When he is home with us in the school holidays he talks about Jo, her older children, and his friends all the time! Jo has been like another family member to us, even putting our son to bed when we were stuck at work.
He has developed a lot with Jo, and I am so proud when I see him with other children, he is patient and polite but also confident enough to approach, talk to and play with children of any age. We will all miss her very much when we move house this summer but are confident our son will enjoy nursery thanks to his time with Jo.
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 22/04/2018
My daughter went to Jo's for two years from the age of 16 months to 3 years and 4 months. I found Jo to be a very warm and caring person who genuinely loves kids. She provides a homely family setting as she has two lovely older kids herself who are often around and who my daughter really adored. This is exactly what I wanted for my daughter in her early years. Jo also works closely with a couple of other childminders who are very similar, very warm, competent and experienced in childcare and who have raised several kids of their own. I had absolute confidence in all of them. I was very touched by the amount of affection Jo showed to my daughter and all the kids in her care, often paying for presents and food for them without any extra charge. She took the children on outings all over London, including to parks, zoos and museums, as well as to a local playgroup. I feel my daughter really benefited from the one to one relationship that she had with Jo in her first experience of being in childcare and is now much more ready for nursery as a result. She came out of her shell a lot having previously been very shy. It was a relief to know that she was with someone who I could trust and who genuinely cared about her. I find it hard to think of a better childminding setting than Jo's. She has also helped out a lot including at short notice when I've had to work additional hours and it's comforting to know that she's still there as a back up now that my daughter is at nursery. Definitely a great person to have in my daughter's life!
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
AnneM
on 16/01/2018
Joanne has been a childminder for my two young children (9 months and 23 months old) for over a year. She is a 'home from home' for them and gives them effective 'one-on-one' attention and care which you can't get in a nursery setting. Moreover, the children love being with her and I feel confident that they are safe and happy under her supervision, with age appropriate activities and stimulation. Joanne is organised and proactive in all aspects of childminding from paperwork to the day to day logistics of minding the children, and most critically kind and loving towards my boys. With demanding jobs, my husband and I have found her to be flexible and accommodating when we have needed to alter hours and/or had last minute unplanned events arise. I could not recommend Joanne highly enough.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
JeanA
on 18/02/2017
Where do I begin?! My three year old daughter joined JoJo's care when she was 10 months old.Like any new mum, I was nervous leaving her with anyone, but had already decided on Jo, as she was just up the road from our house!! I instantly liked her when we met [Lily was just 6 months old and Jo kindly told me which playgroups she regularly attends so I could come and hang out and see her in action - which BTW is a great way to find and watch childminders!].We always knew we wanted a childminder over a nursery - I think that's the first decision any parent needs to make.We wanted her to be with a childminder, as they go out and about a lot and would look after her in a small group of children of different ages, so they learn from one another.We wanted a 'kind Auntie figure' of sorts and Jo has become that and so much more.Lily has thrived! They are out + about all the time + do activities + educative experiences. All the kids love JoJo, she is excellent at her job + I've always felt like Lily is safe and stimulated. I'm happy to tell you about Jo if you contact her she will pass on my email/number to discuss.She is the BEST!!!
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Parent
on 01/03/2016
My son Ozzy has been with Jo for 3 years. He is now nearly 4 years old and as we have recently moved house it is sadly no longer practical for us to continue with Jo.
Ozzy has been privileged to have been looked after by Jo. She and her children have welcomed him in almost as another member of the family. He has been very happy and settled throughout his whole time there. From very early on he went straight to Jo without even a look back at his mum or dad. They have a lot of fun and rarely spend a day in the house. She takes them regularly to different playgroups in the area and parks when the weather is good. Particularly in the summer months she takes the kids on outings. In his time Ozzy has been taken to Chessington world of adventures, the farm, Wembley Stadium, Camden Market and the South Bank to name but a few.
From a parents point of view, Jo has made being a working parent a lot easier than it could have been. She is incredibly understanding, sympathetic and goes out of her way to be as flexible as she can. If early drop offs or late pick ups are requested she does her best to accommodate and she doesn't grumble if I text to tell my train is delayed! She is so thoughtful and has even offered to drop Ozzy off at the house on some occasions. She has an extremely pleasant, cheerful manner and loves to chat. She is also happy to listen and will take on board any concerns or suggestions without taking offence.
I have seen Ozzy develop into a fun loving confident little boy and I attribute a large part of this to Jo. She has really encouraged him to take part in conversation. The different visits to playgroups and meeting up with our childminders and their children, meant that he developed a lot of social skills from an early age. As a result of this, when he started nursery last year he was very quick to settle in.
We will certainly miss Jo and would thoroughly recommend her as a childminder for those looking for the qualities described above.
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 09/07/2014
Anesu has been with Jo for a year now, since she was 11 months old, and is always eager to head off to spend her day with JoJo as she calls her.
I've found Jo to be very dedicated, good humoured and actively involved in engaging all the children. We're particulary impressed with how active she is, ensuring the babies and toddlers are involved in suitable local activities, and that they regularly interact with a wider group of young children. (We also always look forward to the photos she sends us of what they've been up to!)
Jo offers a warm, structured approach, and applies a reassuring amount of expertise to situations that come up. She is a mum herself and this is evident in the way she looks after the children. Anesu remains very happy, confident and relaxed with Jo, and I have no hesitation in recommending Jo highly.
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 25/01/2013
Jo looked after our daughter from the age of 5months to 4yrs. Our daughter adored jo always getting very excited when we told her she was off to jo's. jo teaches the children in her care everything from table manners to numbers and colours, even helping with potty training. She's an amazing woman not only was she our minder she was a lifeline and a god send anytime we needed her, jo would always go that extra mile for us always helpful. Our contracted hours were 8am to 5pm Monday to Thursday but there were times when we needed earlier drop offs or later collections, she was amazing nothing was ever too much trouble for her. She even once had our daughter til 9pm whilst we were sorting out our house move and by the time we collected her she was fed, bathed(she asked permission first to do this,not that we thought she had too she said she felt it was right to ask us) and already for bed. On occasion after my 2nd child was born jo offered to collect and drop off our daughter which as you can imagine was a great help. We only left Jo's care as we decided to move so our daughter went to school outta London, otherwise I would still be using Jo. our daughter adored jo and still sends homemade Xmas and birthday cards to her, she always came home smiling and chatty about her day and often very tired...thanks jo hhhh.. I cannot recommend her highly enough she's a minder and a half that goes the extra mile for you.
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 08/01/2013
Jo looked after our son for 2 yrs since he was 6 months and has looked after our 8 month old since she was 6 weeks. Jo is fun, responsible, flexible, a fantastic mother and is a fundamental part of our support network. We would be lost without her.
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 07/01/2013
Response by
joanne h
on 08/01/2013:
Thank you Clemmie it he passed 2 years have been an absolute pleasure, Jackson will be missed so much his cheeky little smile, but having dee dee here with us still makes us smiles lots. I absolutely love this career I choose so many wonderful families I've had the please of becoming friends with. Thank you once again, here's to the chapter of life with Dee Dee.....just gotta love her smile. Both of my 2 adore Jackson I'm just happy he loves his Build a Bear built with love from Thomas and mollie xxx and much laughter whilst stuffing him hhhhhhh. Xx
The contents of this review are no longer available as the reviewer's account has been deleted.
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 06/09/2012
Jo has been looking after Jackson since March since he was 7 months old. He just adores her and has grown in confidence, he settled in really quickly and comes home chatty, smiling (most days ;- ), well fed and a happily exhausted!
Jo is very flexible which is fundamental with our schedules and has even had him stay at her place on a Saturday night. She is full of energy even though she has two wonderful kids of her own (who Jackson adores too) - I'm not sure how she manages it.
We are so happy with her care for Jackson and have already recommended her to friends.
Clemmie & Jason
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 04/07/2011
Jo looked after our little jack (8 months old at the time) only for a month as we were moving home soon after my return to work. I found Jo very reliable and flexible, and Jack settled in really well with her and the other children. Always happy to see her in the mornings and seemed
to have had a really fun day when I picked him up I'm the evenings. Jo looked after him when I was ill myself one day. I would have left Jack in Jo's care if we hadn't moved to Surrey. I would definitely recommend her to other parents looking for a safe, fun and friendly environment.
Sophie
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 06/06/2011
Response by
joanne h
on 08/06/2011:
Thank you for you kind words Sophie. Jack certainly was a lovely boy who proved kids at that age can move like the wind.....fast crawler...lol!!....
I am so glad he settled with his new minder, i knew he would as he was easy going. Even though we only had him a little time he is missed. Anytime your back in south london and need help....just call..
Regards and give Jack a hug from us.
Jo x
The contents of this review are no longer available as the reviewer's account has been deleted.
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 24/02/2011
Response by
joanne h
on 07/06/2011:
Thank you so much for such kind words. Finn will be greatly missed and we will have found memories of him and Daniel together. I wish you luck on the big adventure, we have had fun with Finn and enjoyed listening to him learn to talk. Good luck with him running around the boat...hahahha
Take care always
Jo and Family x
