Jessica

5* childcare

Our little one has been with Jess for just over a year and moving him from a nursery setting has been the best thing we ever did.
Jess is an amazing practitioner, always thinking of ways to encourage children’s learning and building upon their likes.
Jess provides daily updates with pictures (something we rarely got at his nursery setting!) she keeps us informed of his daily learning and a general run down of the day.
Jess has created some amazing experiences my little one wouldn’t of received in a normal nursery setting such as visits to national trust grounds, strawberry picking, visits to an equestrian centre twice monthly to look after a pony, trips to the park, library etc.
Alongside these amazing outings, Jess provides a great learning space in her home and garden. She’s invested in her garden to encourage learning through play outside as well as creating some lovely spaces inside her home such as the play room and reading snug!
Jess has always been clear on her illness policies and we respect these as we know she is looking out for other children in her setting and ensuring her setting is safe for all.
It must be noted that since starting with Jess, our little one has grown ten fold. She has encouraged his speech and his independence as well as his love for the outdoors and animals around him. We are so pleased we get to stay with Jess for another year before school and I will recommend Jess to anyone who asks for a childminder.

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by Katie on 01/07/2025

Olivia

The best thing we ever did, was locate Jess❤️. I was provided her details from a friend. My little girl will be four in August. Olivia's progress in 1 year has been amazing. The attention to the children's learning and the beautiful setting, she runs in so happy. I can see an amazing family network and animals which feels like a second family for Olivia. Olivia daily cant wait to return to be with her friends, stories, music and play time. Children are out all day long , regular updates as to their progress and learning. Really useful advise to Olivia's health and illness. Olivia starts school in Sept, she is so ready thanks to Jess hard work, setting and commitment. We have a good relationship, i will be sad when Olivia starts school . I really believe Jess would made a great teacher, Olivia every day ❤️ the progression. Thank you

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by Natasha on 01/07/2025

Terrible experience

We were very disappointed with the following:
- On two occasions during our daughter's 3 months at the setting we were provided with insufficient notice of holidays, leaving us to find alternative provision. The Fees and Admissions Policy we were provided with by Jessica stated that all her holiday dates would be shared in January. The contract we signed stated that 4 weeks' notice would be provided. Neither condition was met.
- In addition to the above, there were several other major administration errors during our short time at the setting. These included: being charged for a higher hourly rate than stated on our contract, being over charged for a late payment, being charged for dates during the school holidays for which we were not contracted, being incorrectly invoiced again after Jessica's initial errors.
- On one occasion my partner dropped our daughter off at the setting and saw a lady peering around one of the internal doors. Jessica later confirmed that this was her mother staying with them for a short visit, but it would have been nice to have been forewarned about the presence of an adult that would not normally be at the setting. Jessica pointed out that under Ofsted regulations there was no need for the presence of the adult visitor to be declared, but some communication to this end would have been appreciated.
- There are several pets at the setting (not a problem in itself) including a cat that I have seen escape from the front door. Jessica left the setting to pursue the cat, leaving the children in her care unattended at the open front door, which is the length of the driveway away from a busy estate road. Facebook posts suggest that the cat has escaped on at least one other occasion.
- We are currently seeking legal advice to pursue fees that we paid in advance after Jessica terminated our contract after a disagreement about whether our daughter was fit for the setting. She is refusing to refund the money paid for services she is no longer willing to provide. The detailed email from Jessica informing us of her decision to terminate our contract was received within an hour of my partner leaving the setting with our daughter. There were other young children in Jessica's care present at the setting that day. Jessica has since reported to me that the exchange with my partner left her in a state of 'emotional distress'. My partner was also left in a state of emotional distress after the exchange with Jessica.

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by Martin on 25/06/2025

Response by Jessica on 26/06/2025:

Thank you for your feedback. While I am sorry that you felt disappointed with your experience, I would like to clarify the following for balance:

I fully acknowledge that one holiday notice was sent with less than four weeks' notice due to your start date being after my original yearly notification. You were not charged for that time, and this was openly discussed.

I take great care in my invoicing and administration. An input error was identified by me, communicated to you, and refunded promptly. Additional queries raised were responded to and adjusted as appropriate.

I am registered with Ofsted and follow all safeguarding requirements. Visitors to my home are never left unsupervised with children, and as confirmed, the person referred to was my 78 year old mother, visiting briefly. There is no regulatory requirement to declare one-off visitors who are not involved in care.

With regard to my pets, the children in my care are never left unattended, and safety is always my first priority. The suggestion that children were left at an open front door is not accurate.

The decision to terminate our agreement was made following repeated breaches of my illness policy and a serious breakdown in the professional relationship, including an inappropriate exchange at my door in front of children. As per the contract you signed, four weeks' payment in lieu of notice is applicable and no refund is due. Ofsted have been notified and confirmed no concerns.

I continue to work with families in accordance with my policies, safeguarding responsibilities, and contractual obligations.

Kind regards,
Jessica
Little Hoppers Childminding