When our son was 11 months old the reality of my wife having to return to work and our need to find childcare hit us hard. Your child is the most precious thing in the world to you and sending them off to be cared for by a stranger is no easier thing. We went through website after website, setting after setting and week after week we struck out again and again for one reason or another. But then, then we effectively won the lottery and found Michelle.

She was just starting her childminding business then having previously been a Nanny, and our son was her first client. From the first moment she welcomed him with open arms he couldn't have been happier. My only regret ever was that often our son couldn't get rid of me quick enough when I dropped him off as he was so happy to be in her care! It never even vaguely crossed our minds to take him anywhere else and it was with a great sadness she moved away, otherwise there is no question that our son would still be with her.

Besides being simply the warmest and kindest childminder (and perhaps person) we have ever met, Michelle is also the consummate professional. She is forever thinking up new things to push the kids imaginations and development onward, be it ordering in caterpillars to demonstrate the life cycle of a butterfly to imaginative simple language lessons in counting. Her commitment to the welfare and development of the kids in her care is astonishing.

Her home is always spotless and full of fun and exciting toys and activities. Her approach to food is nutritious, varied and well balanced, I often ended wishing I had lunch at her place as much as my son did! Crucially she also is as good to the parents as the kids, giving detailed daily feedback using an app, and always being willing to do whatever she can to make parents lives easier by accepting vouchers etc.

It came as no surprise to us how quickly and effectively her business blossomed from our son being the sole child attending to her having to hire extra help and having to turn away extra days/children. I cannot think of a single fault of hers, and her adorable sons are the greatest possible advert of her skill and nurturing nature as a carer.

We cannot thank her enough for the three amazing years our son had with her, and we cannot possibly recommend her more. We hope, no we KNOW, her move away will be our loss but will most definitely be the gain of many other families.

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