Marc Muddy Puddles

Exactly what we wanted

We knew right away Marcia was a good fit. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Rory is almost two has been with her a little less than a year. He settled so well and is always happy and excited to see her at drop off. No lie, the kid never once cried at drop off. My experience with Marcia made going back to work much easier knowing my baby was in good hands. We are moving and sadly won’t be able to continue with Marcia. Wish we could bring her with!

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by Ksand on 02/05/2024

My son absolutely loves Marcia

My 2 year old son has been going to Marcia for a couple of months now and I’m amazed how quickly he has settled in.
He’s warmed up to Marcia so quickly which goes to show how brilliant she is with the children.
He talks about her all the time 😊
She takes them out everyday which is brilliant and our son is just so happy with her.
Couldn’t ask for a better childminder for him.

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by Charli89 on 08/02/2023

Our daughter loves going to Marcia's!

Our daughter is 3.5 years old and has been going to Marcia's now for almost 2 years, she absolutely loves going! It's so nice not to see her excited to go, she enjoys playing with the other children and loves all of the activities that Marcia sets up for them.

From playing and crafts at home, to stomping in the woods, feeding the ducks, out to the library / zoo / aquarium etc - there's just so much variation to keep our daughter happy.

Marcia has a great way with children and has helped massively with our daughter's confidence. Communication is great, food and rest is always on point during the day and there's an amazing, clean space for them all to play. Couldn't recommend Marcia more!

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by Chris on 09/11/2022

Bizarre and very upsetting experience

I was very upset and distressed by my experience so I've tried to keep my review purely factual, there is obviously more context but wanted to keep it to the indisputable facts.

I first contacted Marcia in June/July requesting a childminder for a September start. She met me and my child and agreed to offer a place.
We did several settling in sessions over the summer and Marcia gave me a contract to add my details to and sign, which I did before my child started at the beginning of September.
In my child's third week with Marcia I raised some concerns about her sleep and the number of children as she didn't seem to be coping well.
I sat down with Marcia on the Tuesday and she advised me she hadn't signed my child's contract as she "didn't want to be obliged to meet her needs" (I had assumed she had signed the contract as the start date listed had passed and just forgotten to return it to me) and felt I should find alternative childcare (at 8am, the start of my working day). We discussed at some length and she agreed to keep my child on for different and shorter days and then "would look to draft a contract in 6 weeks". I picked my child up at the end of the day and was encouraged to take all her stuff home, which I thought was unusual.
I then received a message at 8pm Tuesday night to say Marcia was terminating her care with immediately effect though I was due to drop my daughter again in 12 hours time and she obviously had no chance to say goodbye. She stated in this message that she considered this to be a "settling in period" and "couldn't offer a contract", presumably as the contract stated a 4 week notice period.
I was then left with no childcare and therefore having to take emergency leave from work. I received no apology and the "refund" I was given for the rest of the month was £40 short.
Also during the 3 weeks:
- I received soiled clothing back a week after my daughter's nappy had leaked. These had just been sealed into a plastic bag for me to deal with.
- I was informed one day that Marcia had not been giving my daughter snacks even though she had stated she would and just didn't tell me she decided not to because my daughter has skin allergies.
-My child came home with a nappy rash including hives which she has not had before or since.

When I met Marcia she seemed lovely and incredibly experienced, she seemed empathetic to my child's needs and interests and my DD warmed to her immediately. I cannot explain the experience that followed but it has been one of the most stressful experiences of my life, Marcia knew that I'm a single mum with no family support and that I was due to be at important meetings in another office on the Wednesday. I wouldn't normally write a negative review but I am currently unable to work and scrabbling to find a new childcare setting and I would hate for anyone else to have the same experience.

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by Anna on 23/09/2022

Response by marc muddy puddles on 26/09/2022:

Hi Anna
i was expecting this it’s really sad that you had to make more lies up about my setting but i know people will see right through this and can see why we were not a match.I think other reviewers speak for them selves as some of these parents are still on my books.
like i’ve said before i wish all the best in finding the right setting that meets your needs.

Excellent Childminder!

Our son has been with Marcia almost a year now and has been with her since he was 10 months old! He is always very excited and happy to see Marcia every morning and enjoys everyday he’s with her, which is lovely to know as parents! Marcia loves to be outdoors with the children doing lots of activities which our son loves! We’ve really noticed how since he’s been Marcia his confidence has really grown and he is progressing very well! We feel very lucky to know he’s in such great hands and would highly recommend Marcia!

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by Barnes on 09/12/2020

Happy Son, Happy Mum

Our son is 2 and has been with Marcia since he was 7months. They have built an amazing bond, he’s is always so happy when we arrive at hers and he talks about her all the time at home! She really takes the time to learn the personalities of the children she looks after and tailors the care for them. Our son is active and inquisitive and Marcia is always out in the fresh air with him, exploring nature at the woods or the allotment. She also takes the time to set up creative activities, we have seen huge leaps in his learning and communication. We feel really lucky to be able to send our son here and would highly recommend Marcia.

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by Maddyjb on 08/12/2020

Couldn't ask for more

My son (18 months old) has been going to Marcia 3 days a week for 6 months now. He took to her straight away and always goes to her when I drop him off without any tears and with a smile. Marcia is bubbly, energetic and warm with children. She does lots of activities with them outdoors (parks, feeding the ducks, going to the allotment, looking for things in nature) and also crafts and activities indoors. We have recently had a 'parents evening' discussing my son's development and it shows that she is observant and caring towards the children she looks after. Before my son first went to Marcia she helped him to 'wean' by meeting him a couple of times. She also sent me photos in the first couple of weeks to let me know that he was fine and enjoying himself. Marcia has boundaries and routines, which make my son feel safe. He enjoys being with the other children and they have built a lovely relationship together. My son is happy and feels safe with Marcia so that makes me a happy mummy!

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by Beth on 06/12/2020

We love Marcia!

I was visiting Bristol from the US for one week with my toddler and needed a daytime childminder for the weekdays. I connected with Marcia through childcare.co.uk after reading good reviews and she absolutely lived up to our expectations and more! She has a lovely way with kids, very laid-back and yet authoritative. I knew immediately upon meeting her that she would be perfect for my daughter especially as we were only there for a short time. Marcia exudes warmth and caring but at the same time perfect confidence and a no-nonsense attitude. Her home is tidy and organized and yet full of fun and appropriate playthings. She accomodated our schedule even though that meant some after-hours and off-days work. I really appreciated her help and can not recommend her highly enough. I would imagine that a child staying with her long-term would form a life-long bond. Marcia is an impressive lady; I would have loved to have spent more time getting to know her.

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by Parent on 11/09/2017

Wonderful one-off, emergency care experience

I had to take my daughter to work with me in Bristol at short notice (we live in the North West) and looked for childminder local to the conference I was working at. Marcia agreed despite it being an unusual request - and taking a child on for a single day can be disruptive for the minder and the other children.

My daughter had a great day, and the experience was very easy. Marcia's house is like a little school and the other children were absolutely delightful. Marcia was so warm, welcoming and understanding. My daughter made great friends with a little girl and boy about her age, and had no problem settling in the morning. Communication was very clear and excellent.

I strongly recommend Marcia to people in a similar situation - who might be visiting Bristol for a short course or conference, or who are looking for one-off care. Hotwells is very central and close to the city centre, Clifton and the University. She is highly experienced, and I never doubted that my daughter would have a wonderful time. Thank you Marcia!

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by SMC_2017 on 02/03/2017

Marcia is a star

I am so happy to have found Marcia! My son Sid (four) has been with her for a week and I couldn't be happier. I trusted Marcia completely from the moment I met her and I knew Sid would have a great time - which he has. Marcia takes the children to a diverse range of places (including the zoo and dancing) which stimulate them a great deal. She is warm, funny and obviously knows how to read kids. She is extremely professional and knows exactly what she is doing.
It is very clear that Marcia loves what she does and as a consequence the kids (and their parents) love her.
I think it is obvious from my review that I recommend her highly!

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by Parent on 12/10/2014