Marianne has been our eldest daughter’s childminder since February 2022, when she was 15 months old. When looking for a childminder we were keen to find someone who could support our daughter’s social, physical and mental development as she was a ‘lockdown baby’ she had not had as many opportunities. Since the first time meeting Marianne she has done nothing but exceed our expectations with supporting our daughter to achieve in all areas.
Marianne has always been excellent in terms of communicating which enables us to work together to ensure she receives the best support especially for her learning skills. Marianne has been so supportive providing us resources to help with her development of skills in preparation for school in September.

Our daughter is always so happy to go to Mariannes and is always really excited to tell me about her day when I pick her up. It is clear that Marianne is always offering her different activities and opportunities,  she is always kept busy by going out to different places and having the opportunity to socialise with others of mixed ages, exploring nature and incorporating learning into their trips out for example number and letter walks.

In the last year our daughter has progressed so much, which is down to the work and initiatives Marianne has implemented with her, I.e book bag, lunch tray, she is so ready for school.

Fast forward to 2024 Marianne began looking after our twin daughters for taster sessions, both girls found the transition and separation from myself hard crying when I left them and during the course of the day. 
Despite this Marianne always remained positive about looking after them and reassured me as an anxious parent that they would be fine. After a few weeks they finally settled and are now really happy to go, they go straight to Marianne without crying and run straight in to play. They always appear really content and happy when I pick them up at the end of the day.
One of our daughters has unilateral hearing loss and Marianne has been very supportive and keen to help support her with her communication skills. Marianne was kind enough to enquire seeking support from her teacher of deaf with my permission to help support her, the teacher of the deaf was able to provide us a clear deafness passport  which we as a family hadn’t previously received. Marianne is always looking into ways to ensure that our daughter is included in everything and to support her communication for example including makaton signing whilst working with her at her home and also at play group. 
All three of our children sign more including along to songs- and we appreciate how Marianne includes inclusivity surrounding our daughters hearing loss into play by having soft toy dolls with hearing aids and providing stories such as Freddie and the fairy. We never want her to feel any different and having positive hearing loss awareness from such a young age we feel is important. 

We cannot thank Marianne enough for all the effort and care she puts into looking after our children.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication