Katharine406

Awesome play and growth environment

My twins started with Katherine when they were 5 months old and I’ve just started at school aged 4.5. Katherine provided a truly spectacular setting, and an engaging environment in which the kids can grow and develop. They were always busy and the range of activities Katherine does with the kids is outstanding. From painting, arts and craft creation, cooking, garden play, tent making, story time, cycling, footballs, outsized playtime, and a wonderful selection of toys to play with. Not once did my twins ever say I don’t want to go to Katherine’s
She makes it fun, educational, in a wonderful setting. I always said that If I could not be there because of work I wanted a family setting which was home from home and Katherine provides that. Thank you so much we will miss you All

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Nicola on 16/09/2022

Response by Katharine406 on 19/06/2024:

Love you all and miss you so much xxxxx

My kids had a great time in Katherine's.

Next week is Lucas’s (3.5 years) and Kira’s (14 months) last day with Katharine and Neil as we are moving back to Ireland. Although we are looking forward to relocating back home, it is still sad to know that our kids are not going to play in Katharine’s kids anymore.

Lucas was briefly in a local creche but it wasn’t really suiting us. We had heard good things about Katharine’s so when we hear of a place, we moved Lucas to Katharine and Neil’s care in December 2019. This was the best decision ever as things changed for the better very quickly. We all instantly stopped getting sick as frequently as we used to, and I felt that Lucas was much happier, well-looked after and well-fed. It was very impressive to collect my son in clean clothes at the end of the day, Katharine barely ever changed his clothes. I am not sure how she was able to keep him so clean during the day, I am not able to do it at home.

Katharine and Neil really know both of my kids and any problems are always communicated on a regular basis. Katharine quickly picks up anything out of the norm (e.g. sickness, pain, strange behaviour) which I very much appreciate. As regards sickness, there is a very strict policy that after two episodes of diarrhoea, a child is excluded from the setting for 48 hours. It was not always easy for us as we do not have any family in the UK, but myself and my husband managed to work from home when it was necessarily.

A typical day is very structured in Katharine’s. She organises a lot of activities e.g. baking, playing with sand, ice, painting, dancing etc. Last summer, all the kids were chilling in the swimming pool during the hottest days. Katharine also rented a soft play last year and the kids were absolutely delighted about it: I picked up a very tire but happy Lucas that day. Lucas used to bring some home-made snacks regularly (chocolate brownie, flapjack, biscuits) which were eaten by his parents (before he learnt what sweets are).

Katharine and Neil have a large back garden with swings, trampoline, little tikes cars, sand pit, balance bikes etc. and kids play outside whenever the weather allows. Katharine is usually taking a lot of photos and uploads them to her protected Facebook group. It is great to see your child interacting with others and enjoying the day.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Paulina on 08/06/2021

Response by Katharine406 on 19/06/2024:

Xx

My daughter LOVES Katharine !

As parents we couldn't imagine anyone else but this incredible lady and her partner to look after our precious girl.

Katharine and Neil both work GREAT together with children. They set a fun , friendly and homely environment for the children. They are incredibly in tuned towards all the children needs and those of the parents. Both has been very accommodating and understanding of our family values. I felt reassured from day one that my little girl is in the most caring hands off all!

Leaving your first born with someone and going back to work is a very hard transition but she made us feel at ease and it felt almost stress free. Doing the pre-settling in sessions well ahead of time did really help with avoiding separation anxiety and my little girl did not take long to get used to her new routine. This along with Katharine giving my little girl the attention that she needs in a warm caring relationship with loads of cuddles has all aided with a successful transition and that's what we cared about.

Because daddy is doing the drop off and pick ups she makes sure that both parents are in the loop of all communication and keeps a daily dairy a long with a small communication book that we use to communicate any requirements. Its the highlight of my day to read what my little girl has been up to. She also has a group for parents where she uploads their daily adventures this is such an amazing treat as I love seeing my little girl happy alongside other happy children. My girl learns new things everyday and will show her newly learned skills off at home. My daughter happiness is very important to us and now that she is settled we can see her having so much fun and loves going. Everyday we can say with confidence that our little child is thriving in a home from -home setting with the wonderful Katharine , her assistant and partner Neil and her fabulous dog, cats and turtles!!
Small things counts too !!!! the lunch boxes returned all washed up and always giving good advice !

Katharine’s is very flexible and is one of her great strengths. We are so grateful to her for adapting routines and happily welcoming my child on different times to accommodate our family needs. Katharine is a wonderful and caring childcare provider with a great sense of humour to match. Her home is exciting, stimulating and child centred. All children thrive under her care and I feel incredibly blessed to have met her and her partner.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Communication

by Janine on 09/04/2018