Angie has been our childminder for the last four years looking after my daughter and then my son as well for the last year.

When I first met Angie I knew she was the type of person I wanted to care for my children - caring but confident and no nonsense. She has not let me down.

About two years ago Harriet ("Hat" to the kids), Angie's youngest daughter, joined her in caring for the children and we have seen how competent and popular with the children she is too.

Angie has always responded well to our requests - for example managing when naps should or shouldn't be dropped; helping with potty training and has gone out of her way to pick up our daughter, who is at a different school to the other children in Angie's setting.

We are leaving Angie for practical reasons only (because she will no longer be able to do the school pick-up once my daughter is out of nursery.) We will miss her and Harriet greatly - but perhaps the best proof of her skills is that my children will really miss her too.