Sarashousechildcare

Highly recommended childminder

We feel very lucky that we found Sara for both our daughters childcare and now our sons, who started this year. It is a very professional, nurturing, happy and safe environment in a nice home setting and so much thought and knowledge goes into varied learning experiences and following their interests. We particularly like how much outside play they get both in her garden and at local parks and woods. Sara has proper outdoor clothing for them to use so they can be outside all year round. We get daily feedback and photos, detailed reports linked to the EYFS curriculum and a lovely learning journal keepsake to remember their time there. They have both loved going to Sara’s and our eldest always wants to join us for pick ups so she can say hi! Thanks Sara!

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by Emma on 14/10/2023

Home away from Home

I would like to start by saying that writing a review in this space will not do Sara justice, therefore I would be happy for anyone who wants any further information to contact me directly.

Sara does not only care for my daughter, she has provided a home for her in the sense that my daughter would sometimes ask if she could stay with Sara even on days when she is not expected to be in Sara’s care. She is assisted by an incredible lady called Laura (who introduced me to Sara), and together they provide the most incredible environment for my daughter.

Sara started looking after my daughter when she was 2 years old in 2014 and I can confidently say that the quality of care is ace. She is very interested in my daughter’s happiness, learning and development and applies a range of styles to coach and support her, and also ensures that as parents we are constantly engaging and working consistently with her.

As an example, Sara has been teaching my daughter to read and I have been doing the same at home. Sara called me to visit her as she wanted to show me how well my daughter was doing. As we sat there, she demonstrated a phonetic technique that she uses to encourage my daughter to pronounce words on her own (different to my teaching style at home). It was incredible to see my daughter reading on her own at her age.

In another example Sara expressed concern about my daughter’s eating pattern and her low weight and agreed with me that we would use a particular reward system to encourage my daughter at meal times. This developed into teaching my daughter about the importance of eating to be ‘big, strong, and healthy’ and we have made great progress. The point is, although I was dealing with this concern at home, it was encouraging to note that Sara had prioritised this issue and to date, we both continue to work together with regular feedback on how my daughter is doing.

Sara is organised and ensures that, prior to the start of the year she provides her annual leave dates to cover the whole year. This allows parents to plan their annual leave/ time around child care or make specific cover arrangements in advance.

Sara has a feedback structure which involves a) daily updates and summary of activities in the day along with pictures, b) regular updates on my child’s development through termly meetings with parents and c) issue of a learning programme which explains her next steps in the current period including ideas of what parents can do to support their child at home, along with a summary of activities that she has planned in that period.

My daughter has started nursery and Sara remains her childminder after school. Sara has regularly sought to ensure that her teachers are aware of my daughter’s learning capability and level to ensure that they are working consistently with her on my daughter’s development.

She provides a wealth of activities including regular outdoor/ nature experiences with the children in her care, and regularly updates her teaching and play curriculum to adapt to the changing needs of the children, as well as experimenting with innovative teaching and play methods.

Honestly, as a first time ‘neurotic’ mother myself, I would say that if you are a parent looking for that sort of unreserved safety and assurance that your child would be taken care of, in the same way you would trust your child with a trusted close family member, then Sara provides that. As submitted at the start, I am happy to discuss this in further detail.

Thank you Sara and Laura!

From Shirley and David, Turnford - Broxbourne

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by Parent on 17/12/2015

Sara

I wish I could pick excellent however the rate system only goes to good so I explain why Sara is amazing.

It was so hard going back to work so I needed to make sure I made the right choice. The first time I went to visit Sara I knew she was the one. She is outstanding in all ways and my children adore her.

Sara's home is very child friendly and she has an amazing playroom and garden that my children never want to leave. She is always updating her toys and does amazing craft and cooking with them. The mud kitchen and water play is a great favourite with my children.

You know when you have found the right childminder when she does more than she has too, for an example helping my child eat more fruit and vegetables with a five a day star chart. Sara send home a lovely diary which keeps you up to date and also pictures of my boys doing activities so it makes me feel like I am there.

My children never want to leave Sara's house so I know I could have not found anyone more perfect than Sara.

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by Parent on 28/08/2012

So glad I found Sara!

From the very first time I met Sara - I knew she would be fabulous for our daughter Evie. She was welcoming, professional and kind. She answered all our questions really comprehensively and provided to fantastic settling in sessions, so that when it came to dropping my 22 month off in the morning for the first time... she didn't even look back! (And didn't want to leave when I came to pick her up she was having so much fun!)

Sara's location is perfect for Broxbourne station too making dropping off and picking up very easy.

We get a diary of everything she's been up to during the day and more! Sara's daughters are kind and patient and Evie adores them! The house and garden are lovely and a great adventure for the little ones with so much to do and trips out.

She has settled in so easily - I really couldn't ask for more! I cannot recommend more highly!

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by Parent on 15/08/2012