Alison C's Reviews
Childminder
Below are the parent reviews for Alison C. Back to Alison C's profile
Average Rating:
(5 from 9 reviews)
Alison stepped in when I was desperately looking for a short term childcare setting.
She has been so amazing with our 1 year old daughter. After just a few weeks our daughter would settle nicely in the mornings when dropping her off.
Alison is wonderful, such a warm and calming person. Thank you so much for your help. It was really appreciated.
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Alison looked after our son Raffy from 6 months until he was 2 and a half and throughout that time we found her to be the most exceptional childminder and now friend to our family. From the moment we met her, we were impressed by her professionalism, knowledge and the deep love and care she displays for the children and the families she works with.
As Raffy was relatively young when he went in to childcare, we were nervous about leaving him full time in a childcare setting. However our concerns were immediately put to rest due the hugely welcoming environment she provides. We had been particularly concerned with regards to his dairy and soy allergy but she was more than capable in catering for him with nutritious dairy-free meals and snacks whilst also managing his interactions with other children and their food. She is extremely experienced and knowledgeable in childhood allergy management and is able to instigate allergy ladders where appropriate, all of which was enormously reassuring.
Raffy regularly attended several activities whilst under Alison’s care which we were of huge benefit to his development including baby sign classes, The Forest School and Willows Farm. Whilst there, we received lovely videos and photos of Raffy having a fabulous time which always brightened our day and demonstrated his increasing confidence, participation and enjoyment. We received regular feedback about his activities, behaviour, developmental achievements and interaction with his peers both on the doorstep and via whatsapp which was very reassuring but never overbearing. Alison was and is always approachable and compassionate, and we always felt able to discuss anything about Raffy or our wider family circumstances with her in confidence. Her wisdom and sage advice delivered with a gentle approach was always appreciated.
In her care, we watched Raffy develop into a polite, caring and kind little boy with excellent manners. People always remark on both this and his confidence and I have no doubt that is more than a little due to the supportive and encouraging environment Alison provides for the children she cares for. We couldn’t have been happier with her care and would recommend her without hesitation.
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Almost 6 years ago as I prepared to return to work after having my first child, my search for childcare took me to the childcare.co.uk website wherein I happened upon Alison’s profile. It jumped out at me not only because of her vast experience but also for her fever for continuing her professional development above and beyond expectation. When I met Alison, it was obvious that her many accolades were as a result of her deep interest in the profession and her motivation to be the best she could possibly be for the children that are in her care. This was further emphasised when my daughter entered Alison’s setting and received such a high level of service in a very nurturing, caring and stimulating environment.
Since then, Alison has also cared for my two other children and in this time her devotion to her profession has never waivered. I have always received daily updates on activities (of which they are varied plenty), food intake (always homemade and nutritious), sleeping and general mood. And the photo updates Alison sends show me how happy he is in her setting (if his screams of excitement each morning and runs for cuddles weren’t enough!). Alison is always my first point of contact if I have any questions or issues relating to my child’s development and whether her advice comes through her vast professional knowledge or research she undertakes in the background, she has never failed to come up with solid, formative solutions.
I would happily recommend Alison to any parent who wants to return to work not only knowing that their child’s physiological needs are being met to an exceptional level but knowing that their child is in an environment which nurtures their creativity and stimulates their mind so they can flourish in these formative years and beyond. It is also extremely comforting, as a parent, to have someone on-hand who is so highly knowledgeable in her field.
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Our son Otto has been with Alison since he was a year old (he’s going to be 3 in August) and we are extremely happy with how she cares for him - he is always enthusiastic to see her in the mornings and comes home with many stories about his day. He also settled in immediately when he first started.
He has flourished under Alison’s care, and we continue to be impressed by his increasing vocabulary and social skills. The resources and excursions that Alison offers encourage his natural curiosity, and we love the variety of activities that she provides - just recently, Alison bought some caterpillars and guided the children through the whole metamorphosis process, which Otto absolutely loved. We want Otto to be stimulated and curious about the world around him, and Alison’s approach of learning through play is absolutely spot on. We enjoy hearing about trips to Willows farm, the weekly sing and sign classes, and hopefully Forest School sessions in September.
Alison has high standards, but instills manners and good behaviour through positive reinforcement so Otto always feels like he is in a safe space with her. He has huge love for her, and that seems to be reciprocated as she is always extremely affectionate towards him. She goes above and beyond to help, such as offering the occasional drop off and even extra hours when we’re in a bind! We’ve just signed our baby daughter up to start with Alison when she’s 1.
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Alison has been our childminder for the last 6 years - firstly for our daughter from the age of 8 months until she went to school and latterly for our son from the age of 1 until now as he will be starting school in September - and we couldn’t have asked for a better childminder!
Both of our children have flourished under the care which Alison has provided for them; her ‘home from home’ setting and her experience as a childminder ensured that they settled in smoothly, enjoyed their days with her and have many fond memories of their time with her.
Their days spent with Alison involved many varied activities both within her home and out and about. Alison has a designated playroom which opens out into a large garden which both Esme and Oliver loved to play in and explore; from helping Alison to feed the chickens, pick fruit from the trees or just zoom around on a scooter! Alison would also often bake with them which they loved - as would we when they came home with their baked goods; cookies and banana loaf were a firm favourite with us! Over the 6 years our children have enjoyed going out and about with Alison and have many fun memories of visiting Willows Farm, Whipsnade Zoo and Shenley Park as well as Messy Play, Sing and Sign (just yesterday as we walked past the church where Alison took them for this, Oliver piped up with ‘this is where we did Signing Sam; I wish I could do Signing Sam again!’) and the allotment.
Alison’s attention to detail and high standards has ensured that the particular needs of both of our children have been met; from supporting and guiding us when it seemed as if our daughter was never going to walk (she was just lazy and who needs to walk when you can get everywhere you need to by bum-shuffling?!), building their confidence and preparing them for school, through to buying their favourite toy to play with ensuring a smooth return to her childcare after the recent closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is testament to the care that Alison has provided to both our children that Esme (who has just finished her second year at school) still wants to see Alison and tell her about what she has been doing and Oliver is very keen to visit her ‘after school one day’. Alison has been a huge part of all of our lives over the past 6 years and it will be very strange not to be going via her house on the way to work come September.
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by
Catherin
about
Alison C
on 29/07/2020
Response by
Alison C
on 14/08/2020:
Thank you Catherine for your lovely review!
I have enjoyed every moment of looking after both Esme and Oliver and it is bittersweet that our journey together with the children has come to an end. I shall miss all of your family very much, but I know that they both have the skills and confidence to go on and flourish and achieve highly. They are beautiful children inside and out, very kind and caring too.
I look forward to staying in touch, hearing how they are doing at school, when they lose their first tooth (oops, that happened 5 years ago!) when the stabilisers come off, and other achievements.
It is not goodbye, it is - see you again soon!
Love to you all! xx
I added a previous review about Alison, her wonderful setting and the outstanding care that she gave to both my daughter Alice and son Rory. 10 months after leaving for Alice to start school, I would like to add another !
Alison looked after Alice from when she was 10 ½ months old to when she had just turned 4 (in the August) and started school in the September. I was a little nervous about Alice starting school, as she seemed so young – but Alison prepared her and me for the change ! Alice went into school without question, with the calm self-assurance and self-belief that I am absolutely sure came from Alison. She was only one of 6 new children out of 30 who hadn’t attended the school nursery, and the teacher (who was also new to the school) said she would never have guessed.
I am so grateful and thankful to Alison. Nearly a year later we all still miss her -and the children talk about her and the other children regularly.
Thanks again Alison.
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by
C Davis
about
Alison C
on 24/06/2020
Response by
Alison C
on 24/06/2020:
Thank you Cat!
It is always a privilege to look after someone else's child, but to have siblings is always special. 48 sets of siblings now, so I must be doing something right.
Alice and Rory are delightful children and I miss them and you a lot. I am very happy to know that Alice settled into school so quickly with as you say, a quiet self assurance and self belief, and your recognition of that makes me feel very proud, as you know that is my objective for all children in my care.
Alice and Rory will continue to flourish, they are very bright, caring, delightful children and very supportive loving parents.
The door is always open for visits and lunch in Shenley Park!
Our son was only 6 weeks old when we trusted Alison with him for a few hours each afternoon. We couldn’t have made a better choice! She has always been super attentive to his needs, helping him develop through his first months. There is no better testament of the relationship she quickly developed than the smiles our son would constantly give her. She is also a great resource for tips and advice for us parents.
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by
Dario
about
Alison C
on 24/05/2019
Response by
Alison C
on 24/05/2019:
It has been a privilege and absolute pleasure to be part of, and see your beautiful son grow from a tiny infant to a happy, chatty, very contented baby. He is a very lucky boy to have such dedicated, caring and loving parents.
We are so very grateful that Alison is our daughter's childminder.
Alison is a wonderful, highly experienced childminder who provides outstanding childcare.
She knows our daughter Alice so well and is very in tune with her development, progress, likes and needs. She has high standards & expects the same high standards of the children, which they rise to (I’ve been out for lunch with Alison and five children under four- and have never seen such well behaved children!)
Alison provides a lovely home from home environment and the children enjoy a variety of fun life experiences together: amongst other things they go to the farm, messy play group, allotment and Alison's house has a wonderful playroom dedicated to the children and a great garden. Alice is so happy and thriving in her care and our son will join the gang in the summer. It is also great to see how the mix of ages get along together and learn from each other. We love to see the photos of their play and adventures. The children also enjoy delicious home-cooked wholesome food and a great routine.
Alison has also been a great support to our family when a new little brother came along, providing advice and helping us to manage the transition for Alice when she became a big sister.
Looking back, the first time I dropped Alice off and went back to work after maternity leave was hard.. but I know the last day that she spends with Alison will be so much harder (for me!).
Thank you Alison.
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Alison took care of my son Henry from the age of 11 months, I was very anxious about leaving him and was probably more of a problem for her to deal with than Henry ever was! Her experience, genuine understanding of my son's (and my) needs and her professionalism allowed me to relax and my son to settle in amazingly well. She was very quick to pick up on my son's interest in aeroplanes and delighted him by ensuring she had toys and activities planned which accommodated him. Her attention to details such as these exceeded all my expectations and meant my son looked forward to 'playing at Alisons' on my work days. Her strong sense of traditional values, high behavioural expectations and outstanding knowledge of child development have resulted in Henry being aware from an early age how to interact with other children and adults alike and I attribute the compliments I receive about Henry to her solid foundation. Henry was very happy with Alison and I was very comfortable and safe in the knowledge that she was providing my son with the best possible care. I cannot recommend her highly enough and both Henry and I will miss the constant support she has provided.
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