As a grandparent that lives that bit too far away to help with childcare on a regular basis, it is so reassuring to know that Nikki has my grandchildren when my daughter (or I) can’t.

Epitomising kind but firm, Nikki clearly cares deeply about every child in her care and does everything she can to make sure they have days that are as educational as they are fun, and it shows in their development.

While I love my grandchildren, they are both challenging at times. However, it never seems to phase Nikki. From the way she dealt with the eldest’s separation anxiety when he started with her – which not only helped him settle in quickly there but also set him up for dealing with new places and situations (and also made my daughter feel less stressed about leaving him) – to how she deals with episodes of over-tiredness and mini-meltdowns, Nikki’s calm nature and approach gives the children in her care the confidence to be themselves.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication