Sally has been our childminder for over 3 years, she looked after our first son until he was 3.5 and ready for pre-school, and now our second son, who is 20 months.

Overall I can honestly say we would be lost without her. Sally is kind, caring, considerate and most of all, fun!! She takes the children out almost every day to a wide range of places including parks, the library, groups, paradise park, the beach...in fact some days I wonder if weekends are boring with us!! I trust her completely and I know they are in safe hands, she gives them lots of cuddles and attention and I know they are well cared for. Our boys have enjoyed spending time with other children at the setting too, along with her own children (who are both lovely...and seemingly hilarious!) Plus she meets up with other childminders to allow the children to play together. I love reading the diary every day and looking at the photos she takes, to see what he has been up to and this makes me feel involved in his day. She also records progress against EYFS through observations and assessments.

Sally is also flexible, super organised and an excellent communicator. She has helped us so much over the years, she has been kind enough to accommodate my sometimes difficult working hours and various administrative bits and bobs that have popped up over the years. For example she accepts most childcare vouchers and signed up for funded hours.

Sally's flat is always very clean and tidy, but at the same time welcoming and complete with lots of fun toys and activities. There are cots provided for the little ones to sleep in and they even get their own rooms, so my son's have always slept well! The flat is secure and so is the garden. The bunnies are very cute and a big hit with the children who love to help take care of them.

People often comment on the polite and kind manner of my eldest son, I believe Sally has helped to nurture him into the lovely boy he is. I can already see this will be the case for my youngest too :)

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication