Gina Ball

Home from home!

Gina cared for our son Austin 2-days a week for 1.5 years. His face lights up when he's told it's a 'Gina day' and he races into her house of a morning, never any tears. Gina always has a plan for the day and it always involves leaving the house to go to a playgroup, soft play, library or a walk. Austin is brimming with news at pick up: who he's played with, books they've read, the bus they travelled on. Gina is great at sending photos and snippets throughout the day - the variety of activities, snacks and food provided is wonderful. She's also a great font of knowledge when we have questions about naps, illness and potty-training! She knows it all!
Gina and her family provide a home from home environment. Her passion for early learning is authentic and heartfelt - Gina is made to be a childminder! We will all miss you Gina!

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by Gemma on 15/12/2023

Couldn't have dreamt to have a better childminder!

Our son, has been under the care of Gina since February 2022 4 days a week. He was previously in a local nursery, which did not align with our parenting view. Our son was born prematurely and we wanted to ensure that he could get more dedicated support with his development.
From the moment Gina started to look after him, we noticed a fundamental difference in all aspects of his development and happiness. Our son is excited to see Gina and, in the morning, goes straight into her house without saying goodbye, rushing to play and see his friends.
We could have not dreamt to work with a better childminder. Gina organises lots of different activities, spending lots of time outside and adapting to their favorite activities like painting or reading. Thanks to Gina, our son has developed early on very good manners and routines. His language has progressed extremely well, even if he is learning two languages at the same time.
He talks a lot about Gina and her family, always with a large smile on his face. As parents, we felt that we had found the right place for our son. We know that he is in excellent care during the day, having lots of fun. Gina has also created a great dynamic with the other children. Our son talks a lot about his friends, and his social skills have really improved.

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by Benoit R on 14/05/2023

London's best kept secret! Simply superb.

Well what can I say about this superb person. Gina looked after my youngest child, Alexander from aged 2-4:

I chose Gina to be my childminder when my youngest was a newborn. Our older two children had benefitted from a childminder during their preschool years. It was always my intention to have our son in a nursery until he was two and then move him to a childminder from that point. I love spending time outdoors and had seen Gina around the neighbourhood, spending time at our local outdoor nature reserve, parks and at toddler groups. I had also noticed that she worked closely with her husband Jason and he spent a lot of time playing with the children too. She always seemed kind, calm and patient with them and all the children were happy and well behaved and knew what was expected of them. I also liked the fact that I would see them all out and about whatever the weather so that’s when I knew my energetic son would have a great time and also learn in her environment.

Gina and JJ (as my son calls him), have shown my little one so much love and attention. Gina was instrumental in helping him potty train so quickly and really helped bring on his eating and speech. My son was always excited about going to Gina, and she was extremely flexible. She went above and beyond to help us out, even kindly reorganising her days to assist me in collecting him from preschool.
They always spent lots of time on wonderful artwork and we really looked forward to seeing what he would come home with next! He has quite a collection on his bedroom wall now.

From the lovely home cooked meals, to the fantastic photos and the great memories my son has of time spent in Richmond park, Wimbledon common, day trips to farms and museums and friendships he made through playgroups, etc., and playing football in the garden, our time with Gina and Jason was truly special. Our son couldn’t have had a better start to his preschool years and for this we are truly thankful to have found such a great childminder.

We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Gina’s services and now our son is 4 years old and thriving in a busy preschool nursery class, deep down I do wish we had put him with Gina and Jason from 6 months old had the opportunity arisen!

Drs K and M Andi

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by Maggie on 26/03/2018

She's the best!

Gina has looked after my elder son from the age of 4 month-old and for almost 4 years and my second son for about 6 months. She's brilliant and the boys absolutely adored her and going to her house everyday. She's self motivated and good fun. She offers a wise range of activities for the children and goes out everyday whatever the weather. She prepares homemade food and provides healthy snacks. We recently moved out of London and so the boys left Gina with a very heavy heart!

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by Camille on 10/12/2015

Our fabulous 2 years with Gina

Gina has been our son's childminders for just over 2 years since I returned to work when he was 7 months old. As a Primary School teacher (with a Police Officer husband) I was very clear about what I wanted in the person or people who were going to look after Jacob. I was worried about returning to work and leaving him unhappy or with a lack of stimulation. Gina was the second person I met with and both James and I knew immediately that she and Jason would be a fantastic fit in our wider 'family'.

Jacob has absolutely adored his time with Gina. He has made some lovely friendships and thinks of Gina's son like his brother. Both Gina and Jason have been extremely supportive over the years with my stresses about leaving him, when unexpected issues have taken place and also supporting the work we do with Jacob at home. Gina was quick to recognise his strengths and support him in his learning journey. It made me happy to see him run in to her in the mornings with barely a backward glance and that he didn't want to leave some afternoons because he was having too much fun, playing trains or blowing bubbles in the garden.

Gina always keeps them very entertained and they go to the Wetlands Centre very regularly (if Jacob had his way it would be every day!). He has also loved their weekly session to the library to see the cat, choose some books for the week and to read the big teddy a story.

Gina has always kept me informed of everything he does in the day. I love getting texts from her with pictures of what Jacob has been up to. The daily record is always very informative and she often notes down funny things he has done or amusing conversations!

I would thoroughly recommend Gina as a childminder. We have now, very sadly, left only due to a change in my job and therefore me needing Jacob to be at a Montessori Nursery 5 minutes walk from my school. I have no doubt that Jacob would have continued to flourish with Gina. Gina, Jason and Daniel are part of our family now which is the biggest testament I can say for a very positive experience.

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by Parent on 18/08/2014