We sent our daughter to Syeda from 1- 3years old, two days a week, when I went back to work full time. I couldn't be happier with the care she received from Syeda and her partner. They're both very loving, calm, fun and very knowledgable in caring for young children. I felt incredibly secure and reassured leaving my baby there for a 10 hour day, something I was really apprehensive about. It's very dependent on your child and circumstances but I personally also felt we made the right choice going for a childminder rather than a larger nursery with more children, as our daughter was able to form really close bonds with the two/three other children she was with during her two days.

My daughter was quite anxious and clingy when settling in, she cried a lot when I left and as you can imagine it was an emotional time for me too. Syeda was brilliant at calming and distracting her and 20 mins or so later I'd get an update saying that she was happily playing with her new friends. A few sessions later, my daughter would look forward to going to her house.

Syeda's setting is colourful, spacious and full of toys. She also carries out lots of activities with the children during the day (water fun/learning about sinking and floating, playing with sand, using a magnifying glass to look at toy insects, playing musical instruments, reading, disco dancing with flashing lights, visiting the nearby park and childrens centre) and it was great to get photo's of their play and meal times during the day. The food she provided was varied and healthy. She's naturally responsive to a childs individuals needs and seems to have a knack for engaging with them on their level, whilst also being firm when she needs to be (making sure they stay out of danger when out and about). Syeda was also great at making developmental recommendations or suggestions to us which I found really useful. I also noticed my little girl started using makaton sign language for key words that Syeda taught her, which she still uses now.

I feel incredibly lucky that we found Syeda on this site without a personal recommendation. She was hands down the best childminder we could have hoped for. Thank you Syeda for everything, we miss you!

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