Steph has been our childminder for four years. In that time she (and her Assistant Sarah) have cared for my elder daughter since age 1 and my younger daughter since age 9 months, both 2-3 days a week. She has played a huge part in encouraging my elder daughter to be ‘school ready’ for primary school in September.

If I were to describe Steph I would say she is like family to us. The way that she loves, cares for and looks after my children is like she is a family member - there’s such a warm, welcoming and personal touch to her care. The atmosphere at her house is full of love, fun and happiness. My kids love going to Steph’s.

Steph takes the children she looks after on brilliant trips - from toddler groups to farms, adventure playgrounds to playdates with other Childminders. Each day is varied, different and interesting and here she excels compared to traditional nursery and childminder settings. Come rain or shine, she gets out and about with the kids and really tailors the days to their interests. She feeds back to parents every day via a Daily Diary, including where the kids have been and what they’ve been doing, to food they’ve eaten, nappy changes, their general mood, achievements of the day etc. It means that you get a real sense of your child’s day when they are with Steph. She links all activities to the EYFS framework and regularly feeds back as to how your child is developing.

Steph was the first person to note that my elder daughter had slight physical development delay. This meant that we were able to get early intervention from medical professionals like physiotherapists, which made a huge difference. Steph also came up with ideas about how to improve and encourage my daughter’s physical development. She has worked with me on applications for council funding and inputted into hospital appointments and medical reviews with her valuable feedback. This demonstrates her commitment, dedication and expertise around early years development and as a Mum I am hugely grateful for this.

Steph works together with you as a parent. We will discuss things like potty training or behavioural challenges. She gives her advice and experience if asked but also respects your own parenting style and the way you do things as a family. She regularly asks for feedback and is open to new ideas.

Every year at the end of the summer school term Steph hosts a party for all the kids at her house. She gets a bouncy castle, face painter, catering and drinks and she invites all children and their parents. I think this says so much about Steph - it’s the end of the school year and anyone else would be understandably tired and frazzled! But Steph puts on a brilliant party for all the children and creates a warm, fun, friendly atmosphere for everyone. You can tell she loves seeing all the kids having a brilliant time. This kind of ‘going above and beyond’ is typically Steph. She is one in a million

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