Frances has been looking after my daughter since she was 13 months which is when I returned back to work part time. She looks after her one day a week and my daughter seems very happy and content with Frances. My experience of Frances is that she is highly professional, knowledgeable about child development and reliable.
I was impressed by Frances' awareness and sensitivity that starting daycare was a big transition for both my daughter and I. I had several anxieties about how my daughter would cope without me, since up until this point she had only had me care for her, I also worried about how they would manage naps as my daughter only sleeps in the buggy on walks or being carried. I felt that Frances genuinely wanted it to go as smoothly as possible for my daughter and took time to listen and find out about how we manage things together at home and also together Frances and I created a graded settling in programme, Frances coming to my house for a play date and vice versa and slowly building up to her looking after my daughter for a full day. My daughter now enjoys her time with Frances and likes bringing toys from home to show her.
I feel confident that Frances will provide my daughter with wholesome meals and snacks and do her best to support her to have naps, which have always been a problem. In fact Frances managed to help my daughter take some of her naps in a cot, which she has never done! She also proactively works on her development e.g. helping her crawl, climb a slide, drawing and carries out exercises that we've been advised to do at home, she also has helped her learn sharing skills and patience and helps build her confidence to try new things.
We use a diary in which Frances gives me a summary of how their day together has been as well as sending me photos and texts during the day, which I really appreciate. We also have a handover chat at pick up time which is invaluable and I never feel that Frances doesn't have time to listen.

I would not hesitate in recommending Frances as a child minder.

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• Communication