My daughter has been with Rachel since October 2012, and even though she attends part-time pre-school now, I have been reluctant to let Rachel go completely as I see what a positive influence she has been on my daughter and also I am secure with the amount of care, support and affection she gives to my daughter and other children that are in her care. They regularly go on outdoor activities to playgroups, visits to the library, Wisley Gardens, Saville Gardens, to the farm and fruit picking to name a few. My husband and I often talk about my daughter has this alternative life where she does so many things and love looking through her record books and her updates on Babydays – which is a brilliant online system of keeping up to date with their activities. Rachel also does so much with them when they are at home – baking, arts and crafts projects, and lots of toys that keep them entertained yet keeping with that learning element. Counting activities, learning letters and writing – everything is encompassed in their daily activities. Rachel is very organised and always thinks of new things to do with the children. She prepares a 'termly' newsletter with her ideas for the forthcoming weeks for the children and also invites us as parents to provide suggestions.

Some parents may be weary of a small setting that a childminder provides, but she has provided the best of both worlds. Rachel mixes well with other childminders and is well aware of the local area and has planned both outdoor and indoor activities with them so my daughter has lots of friends yet she provides that TLC that young children need. This has prepared my daughter very well for pre-school despite coming from a childminder setting.

Rachel is also very culturally aware and has planned activities for global festivals like Christmas, Diwali and Eid and it has been lots of fun getting involved and seeing the end results of new craft and music activities. She also was very accommodating when my daughter started with Rachel, learning some new words herself!

It was very difficult when I started work and Rachel provided lots of support and advice. She accommodated different hours so that my daughter would get settled in to this new life. My daughter was not a sleeper and Rachel would often talk with her about different sleeping habits whilst she was there which was very helpful! When my husband and I thought our daughter was ready for toilet training after going out with nappies over a few weekends, Rachel was happy to continue the process during the days our daughter was in her care when we asked and it all worked out successfully. These are the small things that make me so happy with having Rachel in our lives – she is an extension of the family. It was Rachel that recommended that we start our daughter with pre-school as she thought she was ready to start mixing with a bigger group with kids of her own age which shows she really does want the best for the children in her care. My daughter remains with her once a week and though the other children are younger than her, she still enjoys her day there and Rachel caters activities for her age and rotates activities for all of them. Rachel works very hard in noticing how each child is developing and encouraging them to learn new things and ‘come’ out of their comfort zone without forcing them and when they are ready. My daughter was petrified of the paint brush when she began them and now is a confident painter!

She also teaches and encourages good manners – I will never forget the day when my daughter used to say “excuse me” to all the boxes in the way!

A testament to Rachel’s wonderful-ness is how she keeps in touch with parents of children that were once in her care. She has even organised day outings to their houses or invited them round for playdates.

Rachel is not just a childminder – she has an innate wonderfulness for caring for kids and making them develop a great understanding of the world.

I don’t hesitate at all with recommending Rachel - she is amazing and will be sso very sad when my daughter stops going to her formally but will definitely keep in touch!