Parent Comments

Wendy provides a vast array of activities and resources that challenge the development of my child whilst in a caring, protective environment. Wendy has a range of resources to suit multiple activities and she is always developing and adding to these to adapt new ways for the children to learn. It is wonderful when Wendy shares pictures and documentary evidence so we get to see the ‘firsts’ and milestones that we might otherwise miss as working parents. Wendy was very adaptive during the national lockdowns. She developed a new policy and ways of learning and playing outdoors so that we could continue to attend school as keyworkers. Wendy shares her knowledge and understanding of where my child currently sits within the EYFS via sharing an in-depth learning journal. This learning journal goes into detail of all 7 stages of the EYFS where my child currently is and where she envisages them moving next. Wendy shares daily updates via emails and texts. This is important to us because it means that we can talk to our daughter about the things she has experienced during the day. Wendy is also happy to spend time discussing progress and behaviour at the beginning and/or end of the day. We genuinely feel that we are kept informed, and this is really important to us. I can visibly see the changes to my child’s development and can understand the goals and targets Wendy has set. Wendy is an exemplary role model. My child learns right from wrong in a caring, nurturing environment Wendy provides a safe place where risks in play are encouraged, and failure is met with much encouragement to try again regardless of the end result. The children are all taught the important values of friendship, compassion, empathy, sharing and caring for one another. They are taught the values of respect and being polite and helpful to all in our community. Wendy leads by example. She is always polite, empathetic, helpful, engaging, thoughtful. She goes out of her way to be helpful to my child and ourselves as parents. She offers advice and guidance when she spots a potential area of concern and works alongside us to create a plan of action to resolve any issues whether developmental/physical or emotional. During covid Wendy kept us regularly up to date with all new changes to government regulation. She worked tirelessly to alter her working environment, to create as safe an environment for our child and her family as possible which allowed us as critical keyworkers to continue to work. Wendy has always kept us up to date on the vast array of courses that she has been attending. We are amazed at the level of dedication that Wendy continues to show, particularly in this area, which demonstrates just how seriously she takes her role as an outstanding childminder. She does not see herself as someone that ‘looks after children’ and neither do we. She is dually responsible, alongside us as parents, for the most important years of our child’s development before she begins school. She thrives in teaching them and seeing them develop and grow over time which is evident when she talks about how they are meeting new steps. We feel like she is part of our extended family. To summarise, Wendy is an outstanding childminder. The word ‘childminder’ fails to capture the service, care and commitment that she provides us with as a family. We are so lucky that she has looked after our two children; we know of friends and colleagues who simply don’t get comparable standards from their childcare settings.

E.Gray - July 2022

Wendy has looked after my son for over a year, and we couldn't be happier with the care that Wendy provides. Wendy adapts activities to suit all children which allows them all to work as a group and feel included. Wendy is always thinking of innovative new ways for the children to learn. It is so lovely when Wendy shares pictures and documentary evidence of our child with us, so that we get to see what he has been doing and milestones that we might otherwise miss as working parents. Wendy shares her knowledge and understanding of where my son currently sits within EYFS on a regular basis through an in-depth learning journal which she began the moment he started in her setting. This journal goes into great detail of all 7 stages of the EYFS, where my son currently is and where Wendy envisages him moving next. We can easily follow my son's development and the goals that Wendy has set going forward. Wendy also shares daily updates on his learning via emails and texts/photos. Wendy is also happy to spend time discussing his progress and behaviour at the beginning and end of the day. Wendy has worked with us and offered advice with ideas that we can use at home to try and develop his language and development further which we have found extremely useful.

B.Gibson - July 2022

We would highly recommend Wendy. She has been looking after our children for the past four years and we can honestly say, we couldn't ask for a better childminder. Wendy is kind, caring, extremely professional, reliable, trustworthy and considerate. Both our daughters love going to Wendys and are extremely happy and settled in her setting. Knowing our children are so content and well looked after in a safe environment takes pressure off of us, allowing us to go to work at ease, knowing our children couldn't be in better hands. We look forward to the daily update from Wendy detailing what they have been up to. It's so lovely to read. We can't thank Wendy enough and are so grateful for all she has and continues to do for our children. Without doubt Wendy has significantly contributed to their development. We are so glad we found Wendy and would highly recommend her to others.

Laura - Jan 2021

My son has been cared for by Wendy from the age of 10 months old. He adores going to her and every morning asks if he is going! On our drive home each night he tells me how much he already misses her! Wendy has made him feel welcome in her home and she has catered for his every need during his 3 years with her. She plans the day carefully and ensures that his play is structured, as well as allowing for "downtime" and child led play too. Each evening we receive an email to explain the details of the day and talk about things that have happened. I am so grateful to Wendy and her family, particularly for how we have managed things during the difficulties of the pandemic to enable us to continue to work, with the peace of mind that she has done everything she can to safeguard our son. He will miss Wendy so much when he goes to school, but she has helped give him such a great start. I would wholeheartedly recommend Wendy's services as an excellent childminder.

Sarah - Jan 2021

My children are always excited to arrive at Wendy's house. They have a very good bond with her and they have asked many times if Wendy can come around to our house to play! Wendy always greets us all with a smile, asks how the girls are and is interested in hearing about them. The daily diaries which Wendy writes in for the girls, are very informative, such as nappy changes, sleeps and activities they have done that day. My eldest daughter is able to tell me all the things she has done, such as crafts, outside play and other activities. She talks fondly of them and I can see that her interests have been recognised. There is always a calm and happy feeling within the setting, which is to Wendy's credit. The girls attending Wendy's setting, has made such a difference to my working day, knowing that they are somewhere they love going to, enjoying play and activities, as well as being with a person who genuinely cares about them.

T. Costello

My son enjoys going to Wendy's house and we are confident that he is looked after in a safe, caring and stimulating environment. Wendy offers a wide range of activities that he finds engaging and we feel are appropriate for his age/development level. We have viewed his progress folder and find it to be regularly updated and a detailed and accurate record of his progress and development. We also appreciate his daily record book. As well as all the essential information about snacks, lunch, nappy changes etc. Wendy always includes thoughtful details such as things our son has said and games he has played, which I find insightful and enjoyable to read.

C.Burns

Wendy cared for our daughter Eleanor from 3 months old. Eleanor is now 4 and about to start school. We could not have asked for a better childminder for our daughter. Wendy has nurtured and developed her in exactly the way that we would have done ourself. Wendy provided a setting for our daughter which stimulated her, protected her and prepared her for school. Wendy's setting is safe, clean, homely and perfect for children. Wendy provides activities and excursions for her children that are engaging and developmental. Eleanor would frequently come home with brilliant works of art that she had produced under Wendy's guidance. She also talks frequently of the experiences she has had at Wendy's and the things she has learned. Eleanor made superb progress with Wendy, academically but also socially. Wendy was able to reinforce the very high expectations that we have at home for Eleanor with regards to behaviour, respect and politeness. Eleanor's language, artistic and physical development has been excellent due to Wendy's continual guidance and support. We wrestled with the idea of sending Eleanor to pre-school, but ultimately we are glad that we decided against it. Wendy teaches the Early Years and Foundation Stage curriculum so Eleanor was able to access all the learning she would have been exposed to at pre-school, but in a setting where she was treated as an individual and her encouragement was personalised. We have no regrets about keeping Eleanor with Wendy for four years and we feel she is perfectly well prepared for school and, in fact, is ahead of her age in terms of academic and social development. Wendy has played a significant role in this progress. Eleanor is a confident and articulate little girl who is independent and thoughtful. She has been nurtured to develop these skills by Wendy. Eleanor has also benefitted from the influence and care of Wendy's family and it has been very beneficial for Eleanor to have been given experience of socialising with young people of a range of ages. Wendy also cared for our baby daughter Hazel for a short time during Hazel's fourth and fifth month. Hazel is unable to tell us how she felt about the care she received, but we can guess from the smiles and giggles that she was perfectly happy. It is with great regret that we have ceased using Wendy as our childminder. It has happened as a result of circumstance rather than choice. We would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Wendy as a childminder for any child of any age. We will miss her greatly and remember her fondly as someone who had a significant and positive impact on our daughters.

Carly & Nathan Waterman

My child has been with Wendy for more than a year now; he receives excellent care with lots of activities and fun days out. Lots of stimulating activities to improve and to nurture his skills and abilities. Great improvement from previous nursery. I would highly recommend her to anybody.

Mattia

We have always preferred a home from home environment for childcare for our young children as being the next best thing to being with us, so Wendy is able to provide the best possible childcare solution. The atmosphere is always happy and relaxed with plenty to see and do and our daughter certainly seems to enjoy her time with Wendy. Wendy offers an excellent range of activities and opportunities to interact with others in a natural and nurturing environment. We know that any thoughts/comments/wishes on how our daughter is looked after will always be listened to and acted upon and that our daughter obviously feels safe and secure with Wendy. We couldn't ask for a better childcare environment at this stage of our daughter's life.

Vi

Wendy has provided excellent childcare arrangements for a considerable length of time. During this time she has always been reliable and conscientious. We find her totally trustworthy and feel confident that she is providing our children with excellent care. Our children have always been happy to go to Wendy's where they are made to feel extremely welcome and safe. We are confident that Wendy is aware of the ECM agenda and that she makes a positive contribution to the development and well-being of our children.

Lewis