Katie's Reviews
Childminder
5 out of 5
Parent reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Katie. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk members and not of Childcare.co.uk. Parents must carry out their own checks and references on childcare providers to ensure that they are completely happy before enaging in the use of their services.
Katie and her team have been fantastic with by 21 month old and 5 year old for after school pick up. They are very prompt with communication, really flexible with settling- has been a really smooth experience compared to a lot of nurseries we have dealt with. Her activities/facilities are fantastic too. Highly recommend
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Monira
on 21/11/2024
Our daughter has recently started attending Oak Glen and we have been so happy and so impressed with Katie and the entire team!
From day one, everyone at Oak Glen has bent over backwards to make sure we feel content with sending our daughter there, and we really feel like they have gone that extra mile to ensure that everything is right for us.
Communication is fantastic and if we ever have any queries, Katie or a member of the team ensure they respond asap.
Oak Glen are also fantastic at giving the children a wide range of opportunities and experiences and each week, there is an “enhanced theme” which the children’s learning and activities are based around.
We are very pleased with our decision to send our daughter to Oak Glen and would happily recommend this childcare setting to others!
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Leanne
on 16/11/2024
Our son has been attending Oak Glen since he was a year old, and as a lockdown baby he was very uncertain being around others, which obviously added to the anxiety about leaving him in daycare. However, we needn’t have worried, because Katie, Danielle, Nanny Mags and Shirley (and now Jodie and Toni) patiently and lovingly looked after him and coaxed him out of his shell with lots of cuddles and an enormous range of activities and experiences to encourage him to join in.
He is now a confident and happy nearly 4 year old who skips in every morning and loves his time at oak glen talking about the staff and his friends all the time!
The team work tirelessly to help the children progress and to prepare for big school, and I can honestly say my little boy has thrived at Oak Glen.
The mix of a homely, loving environment, with a structured early years approach, make it a truly special place and whilst I’m so sad my biggest boy will be off on his next adventure in September, I know that thanks to Katie and the team, he’s well prepared and I couldn’t be happier that my littlest boy will be joining the OG’s when he turns 1 too.
Couldn’t recommend highly enough.
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Rachel
on 28/03/2024
Oak Glen is a welcoming homely setting geared completely for the children. I use it for after school care from the local school which is great for the kids as lots of their friends go. An added bonus where it is also a nursery set up can be used for childcare during the school holidays! Highly recommend.
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victoria
on 27/03/2024
We have 2 daughters age 3.5 years and 21 months. Both have been with Katie and the team since they were 10.5 months and settled in immediately. Both have shown amazing progress since joining.
Katie and Danielle keep us updated with pictures throughout the day. When the girls were younger they would WhatsApp to let us know what time they napped to and from so that we could keep track.
The kids love it at OakGlen and my eldest constantly talks about her friends and the teachers there. She enjoys playrole and always names her friends at school in her games when she is back at home.
We have quarterly check ins where they update us on the girls progress and what we should be working on for the next term. These are incredibly helpful and give us a chance to ask any questions and make sure the girls are on track.
My husband and I both work in London and need additional days some weeks. Katie goes above and beyond to try to accommodate us which is truly appreciated and makes our lives so much easier.
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Lauren Y
on 26/03/2024
Our 17month old has been attending oak glen since June 2023 at 13 months old. We were worried that he would take time to settle as he had attended a previous day care at 10.5 months old. However from his first settle he thrived and it was like he had been attending for ages. I think this is testament to what an amazing daycare Katie and team have created. He absolutely loves oak glen and walks himself in most mornings with a big smile. I think what makes this place special is that it’s family run and also they put a huge focus on the development for Early years education and it has such a varied curriculum. Every week there is a learning focus and it’s meant that our son is learning at such an accelerated pace . He has really developed and has lots of fun playing and exploring.
The facilities and people are amazing.
As first time parents it’s nice to have firm confidence in a childminder- our son attends 4 days a week .
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Lyd
on 12/10/2023
I totally love Oak Glen and can't recommend Katie highly enough. My two sons, aged 3.5 years and 11 months, absolutely love going there.
Katie and her amazing team provides the perfect environment for my children to thrive. They are all so warm, caring and attentive to my children's individual needs. Katie's home is bright, clean and filled with so many engaging toys and activities suitable for all ages - not to mention a beautiful outside space that is so big for all the children to enjoy.
My oldest son has come on leaps and bounds, he amazes me everyday with all the new things he learns and he is so confident and has brilliant social skills all thanks to this childcare setting. He looks forward to the theme of the week, story time, arts and crafts, and playing outside. Our baby enjoys the soft play, ball pit, story time and exploring all the new textures and objects on offer to him.
We are sent photos and updates throughout the day so I know the kids are happy and well cared for. Katie pays close attention to their schedules and works closely with me regarding meals, naps and activities, for example my eldest has an egg allergy and my youngest is napping twice a day and their needs are met.
I appreciate the genuine bond all the staff have formed with my children. Their patience, nurturing nature and knowledge of early childhood development is evident. My kids are safe, loved and given lots of stimulation at Oak Glen.
Thank you for providing exceptional love and learning for my children. This is an amazing childcare provider that I trust completely, and would recommend to anyone.
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Rachel
on 09/10/2023
We consider ourselves extremely lucky to have got a place at Oak Glen (newly granted micro nursery status by OFSTED) in February for our 9 month old.
Katie guided us through how the settling in sessions would work and we were sent videos and photos of how these went. They also provide a book with updates of the day which is extremely helpful.
The cosy setting, equipment for under 1s, focus on themed learning through play and care that OG provide made us comfortable that our little one was in an environment that she would love. We have been delighted with how well she eats and naps at OG (usually better than at home!) and how quickly she settled in, thanks to Katie, Danielle, Jodie, Shirley and Magaret (Nanny Mags). The fact that she fell instantly in love with her key worker Jodie was an added bonus!
Thanks so much OG, definitely makes going back to work easier.
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MiaMiD
on 11/03/2023
My daughter joined Oak Glen at just over 1 year old and she is now just over 3. I wanted to add an update to my review - I can honestly say that she loves every minute of her days with Katie, Danielle, Nanny Mags and Shirley, as well as the other brilliant children at the setting. The facilities are fantastic: a warm, dedicated, engaging learning space and a large, safe garden where they spend lots of time, with all the equipment and toys your little one could ever dream of. They are given nutritious food and snacks, and participate in themed and seasonal learning weeks for all educational styles, ensuring they more than meet their milestones with fun and innovative activities for all ages. The children are treated with support, respect, kindness and love, and encouraged to treat each other and the staff the same, to do their best and be themselves. Communication is still excellent and I love seeing what my girl gets up to from photos I’m regularly sent, which puts my mind at ease, and a rundown of her day at pickup time as well as her learning diary that is given daily. I’m sure she would live there if she could! I can’t recommend Oak Glen and the staff highly enough and can’t wait for my son to join next year.
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Sophie
on 11/01/2022
Our son attends Oakglen 2 days per week, although there were closer nurseries and childminders to where we live after viewing the setting nothing else would do. Katie and team have a purpose built building for the children separate to the main house (which has the luxury of heated flooring too may I add) and as I mention in the review title the garden of dreams! The garden space is huge with lots of different sections to keep the children busy including a construction area with diggers and woodbark. There is a weekly theme accompanied with activities, Katie also is a big fan of celebrations so Halloween, Christmas etc. are made a real fuss off - as a full-time working parent its a comfort to know our son is not missing out seasonal fun, even if I can’t always do these things with him myself. Daily photos are sent in the WhatsApp group which are always a pleasure to receive. Our baby has been thriving with Katie, he currently doesn’t have any siblings and I truly believe attending Oakglen and being supported by Katie, Danielle, Nanny Mags, Shirley and playing with all of his new friends has sped up his development and his ability to play with other children. Thank you ladies!
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AlexS
on 03/01/2022
We researched a few nurseries and local childminders before we saw recommendations for Oak Glen. We were worried as being first time parents and along with the fact that our daughter spending most of her first year in Lockdown she wouldn't adjust to being around others.
We were instantly relieved when we met Katie. She was warm and welcoming and invited us to her home to view the Oak Glen setting. As well as being a parent we liked that Katie has many years experience previously being a teacher. We had seen her social media pages detailing all of the sensory play, activities and much more that Oak Glen had to offer.
Our daughter has been at Oak Glen since November 2020. The change in her development has been amazing to see, most of which is down to her going to Oak Glen. The ladies at Oak Glen made Molly feel so welcome when she first settled in and gave her lots of care and attention enabling her confidence to shine through. Whenever we pull up to Oak Glen our daughter has the biggest smile on her face and it's reassuring to know that our daughter is well looked after and really enjoys her days playing and learning. We were suprised at how much her speech has come along and her understanding of different activities.
We know that our daughter has grown a great fondness of Katie, Danielle and all of the ladies at Oak Glen and we love that we are sent photographs and videos of the fun that our daughter is having.
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Charchap
on 01/03/2021
My 10 month old has recently started with Katie and I'm over the moon with how well he has settled in. He is also really happy going in and when I pick him up which makes me happy. Katie set up a whatsapp group with both my husband and I so she can send through progress pictures/videos of our little boy, and we use it for any communication or updates too. We absolutely love receiving photos and videos of our little boy throughout the day, it's amazing to see what he is up to and it puts my mind at ease to know he is ok and having a great time. I love the idea of him interacting with other children and playing with different toys, especially as we have been in lockdown for so long. There is lots of space in the classroom and a large outdoor space for all the children to play in. Another great thing Katie provides is a log book so I can see at the end of each day what my little boy enjoyed doing that day, what he ate during his meal times and when he slept. Really impressed so far, thank you!
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Rachel
on 23/02/2021
My 15 month old son has been attending Oak Glen since September and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Like any new mum I was really worried about leaving my baby and heading back to work, especially during a pandemic. However Katie’s friendly, warm and fun approach made it all so easy.
The classroom is lovely, there is a family tree on the wall with pictures of the children’s parents to make them feel more at home, lots of toys, a dining area, an indoor swing which my son loves to relax on. It’s very clean and has doors leading out to a big garden which has lots of play equipment. Not having a garden myself I’m so glad my son enjoys the opportunity to get outside and explore.
Katie is always doing different activities such as crafts, sensory, singing, dancing and much more. She reads to the children and encourages them to be interested in books. Katie also tracks the children’s development in a book which you can look review.
Oak Glen supplies all the food, nappies etc and I don’t have to worry about anything. My son even has the Oak Glen uniform which makes mornings just that bit easier.
Katie doesn’t work alone and has a few helpers. Danielle, Margaret and Holly are all just as lovely and follow the procedures that Katie has put in place.
We receive lots of pictures throughout the day to show us what our baby is up to and there is continuous communication from the Oak Glen WhatsApp group.
I can honestly say that I go to work and I don’t have to worry about my baby boy as I know his in good hands. I’m so happy and relieved that I’ve found such great childcare and to know that my son is loved and looked after by kind people.
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Emma
on 12/01/2021
Katie has been a brilliant childminder for my three children. She took on some temporary care for my 4year old and 11 month old twins when I returned to teaching mid-pandemic due to my daughter’s preschool remaining closed and my nanny unable to start. Her communication was excellent from enquiry stage right through to daily updates. My daughter who has struggled with going to childcare on and off since she was 9 months old couldn’t wait to go on a “Katie day” and Katie had a grasp of the boys individual characters very quickly (very important as a twin mum). Engaged, happy children - I could not fault the care. Affordable too!
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Santana
on 06/08/2020
I would definitely recommend Katie, she provides a professional childminding service with plenty of activities to keep my children busy. Katie had a great routine, having a theme every week with lots of fun and learning activities. I enrolled two of my children and they absolutely enjoyed every minute! My kids came home with a big smile, they had lots to do, such as baking, getting creative with art, katie made learning fun.
Katie made me feel very comfortable and was very understanding with any concerns, she provides snacks and meals if wanted, Katie and Danielle are very organised, professional, super friendly, overall myself and children had a great experience and I would highly recommend! A massive thank you to you both.
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Sev
on 09/06/2020
I remember having a hard time looking for a good childminder for my son who has special needs until someone recommended Oak Glen to me. Katie and Danielle are very friendly, caring and understanding. There's something about them that made my son to fall in love with them and their place, from the very first day he felt there like he was at home. Every day children can do something interesting and learn through various activities. Also, they're given nutritious meals and yummy snacks. Parents receive photos/videos of their children throughout the day to see what they're doing.
I feel that my son is very supported and the ladies are doing the best they can to help with his development. I can see a change in his behaviour, whenever he goes to Katie and Danielle he's getting his little backpack ready and can't wait to meet and play with other children as well. When he used to go to the preschool before, he was crying and didn't seem to be happy to go there.
I'm confident now that my son gets the proper care and I would highly recommend Oak Glen. I will definitely let my little daughter come there soon as well.
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Gosia
on 25/04/2020
Katie is a wonderful childminder, as is her colleague Danielle. The setting is perfect to provide excellent and safe childcare for our 1.5 year old daughter. As a parent herself and with a background in education, she is energetic, very understanding and really cares about the development of the children. She organises so many varied fun and educational activities of different learning styles that they all take part in, as well as baby/toddler groups and outdoor play. This shows in the pictures and updates that are sent to us very regularly. Communication is fantastic and I feel kept in the loop. The other children in her care are kind, polite and friendly and make an effort to include my daughter in what they’re up to. She also has a wide variety of toys for them all to explore, and provides enjoyable, nutritious meals as well. My daughter comes home very happy from her days at Oak Glen!
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Sophie
on 21/04/2020
A friend recommend Katie to me for my 2 year old daughter- Iv had a really hard time finding good enough childcare for her due to bad experiences- Katie has been amazing with my daughter and I’m noticing such a difference in my little girls confidence since being with her- they do lots of different activities and I get pictures and messages all day on what they are doing which I love- my little girl is the happiest she has been in a long time. I couldn’t recommend Katie more. ❤️
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Paris
on 22/11/2019
