Donna or Auntie Donna as she is now known in our house, wrote to me after seeing my request for a flexible and reliable childminder and I cannot thank her enough.

Due to my husband and I being Police Officers in the met police, we didn't require our 7 month old son to be in childcare every day every week, or even the same days every week. We therefore requested someone that didn't rely on having our son the same days or hours and would be happy for us to provide them with our required hours, month by month.

Donna informed me that she was happy to do what I required and that my husband and I should go and visit the 'Cabin'. Well its as big as my living room and dining room put together with a kitchenette and toilet. We were amazed at the facilities she had available and the amount of children.

Donna looks after up to 12 children and has 3 members of staff. I was so impressed as it was like sending our son to nursery with all of the benefits of lots of children to play with, different adults to meet and learn from and a learning schedule that will be followed in time for him to go school but with the benefits of being in someone's home, close to our home and with a woman who treats our son as her own.

Donna started having our son from 9 months just after we returned from holiday and has had him nearly every week since. She is able to provide care at short notice if I'm stuck at work or call in at short notice. I cannot praise her enough and we now think of her as a friend. I have since recommended Donna to a colleague and neighbour who now take their daughter to her.

You will never find anyone like Donna or the facilities that she provides. She is amazing.