Kool Kids's Reviews
Childminder
5 out of 5
Parent reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Kool kids. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk members and not of Childcare.co.uk. Parents must carry out their own checks and references on childcare providers to ensure that they are completely happy before enaging in the use of their services.
When my son was 18 months, I went back to work full time, and wanted to find a nurturing, friendly environment for my son to spend his days in. I couldn't have found a better match in Petra and her team of Eli and Barbora too. Petra runs a caring, friendly and professional business. Going back to work, I missed my son a lot during the days and felt so reassured by the text updates and photos that Petra texted us each day - these all made me feel at ease and I knew straight away that my son was in excellent hands. I had been so nervous about leaving him, wondering how he would react, but he was in such wonderful hands and I needn't have worried at all. He was so happy and cared for with Petra and her team.
The activities that Petra plans for the children are wonderful: walks to the local playground as well as to Avenue House park and playground and to a once weekly playgroup with singer. My son loved these outings, as well as the huge variety of sensory activities that Petra would provide for him - messy, kinaesthetic play that he absolutely loved. In the heatwave last month, Petra texted me a photo of my son running with absolute joy through a sprinkler. She plans thoughtful, age appropriate and developmentally rich activities every day. The hot food that he ate every day at lunch was another highlight - he consistently ate more with Petra than he ever does at home! He enjoyed the experience of eating lunch with other children, too.
I couldn't have asked for a better first childcare experience for my son than with Petra and her fabulous team. He is now two and a half and will be attending a nursery this September, but he talks about Petra every day and we've already booked in a day where he can go back for the day to her as he misses it so much! I know we will keep in touch; Petra and her team are special people; they really understand each child for the individual that they are and nurture each child to reach their full potential. I am so grateful to them for taking such great care of my son this past year. I highly recommend!
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amyla222
on 10/08/2022
After searching (unsuccessfully) for a childminder whilst on maternity leave, I couldn't believe our luck in finding Petra and Kool Kids Childminding. I instantly knew Petra and her warm, homely setting was perfect for my quite attached, shy baby daughter Evie. Petra and her lovely assistant Eli were an instant hit with our entire family and we couldn't have found a better place for my youngest to spend her first few years before going school.
Petra's professionalism, knowledge and communication filled me with confidence at every turn and I was always so grateful for the time my daughter had at her setting; so much so that Evie continued to attend despite having a parent at home on furlough for well over a year! We knew how much Evie loved being with all her friends and how much she was learning and thriving since going to her Childminders.
Kool Kids is brilliant as it's personal and intimate, unlike a more formal nursery setting. Between Petra and Eli, there are always enough hugs to go around, and the children are able to get all the one-to-one attention and support they need, whilst still reaping all the benefits of social independence and relevant EYFS education.
I really appreciated how Petra has a very relaxed, child-led approach and focuses on the unique child's journey, working with parents to support them in the best way for them individually. She manages to inspire development through every day routines, specific topics/ projects and so many different fun activities and outings- which we loved receiving regular updates and photos on each week. Above all she provides the most wonderful safe space for the children to PLAY and learn from their interactions with eachother.
Petra and Eli were a complete joy to meet and work with and we were all very emotional when the time came for Evie to begin her new journey at school. The love and care that Petra, and Eli provided our precious daughter was beyond our expectations, we will be forever grateful for their significant impact on the first years of Evie's life.'
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Dinu Sum
on 30/12/2021
My child was with Petra from the age of 9 months and we have only recently left Petra as my daughter is now entering preschool at the age of 3. Petra became like a second mum to my daughter and her warmth, understanding of the child’s needs, and general positive attitude made me feel comfortable returning back to full time work and leaving my 9 month daughter with her. Petra and the ladies that assist her are all excellent and Petra truly is the best childminder you could hope for. My daughter will miss her time with Petra very much.
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VW84
on 22/09/2021
From day one I knew Elsie, my then 11 month old would be happy with Petra, Matt and of course Google the golden retriever. A warm and friendly setting, I was kept up to date with Elsie's progress through both Tapestry (an online portal) and the weekly reports. A fun, happy and educational environment is quite a challenge to create but the team manage it very well! At times Elsie didn't want to leave for the day. Petra is very organised and thorough in every aspect of her job and is such a lovely person too. They were very supportive to us when I had a 2nd baby! We moved from the area so sadly we had to take Elsie out but I would highly recommend Kool Kids childminders to any parent.
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Parent
on 02/01/2018
As a parent, I entrusted my Emilia to Petra and Matus, and I am grateful for their loving care and guidance she received while attending Kool kids. They both look at each child as an individual, with their own strengths and needs. My daughter had been blessed with awesome teachers who understood her challenges, and handle her with grace. She had learned so much and continues to share with me the great activities that go on each day now at "reception”
I always received daily reports, which told me how she eats, sleeps and plays.
Fantastic was that she had created an amazing bond with Google. ( golden retriever) whom she mention often. I would love to wish Kool Kids an amazing time, full of love and laughter.
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Parent
on 11/12/2017
We had never left our son with anyone and we’re extremely anxious about finding childcare. From the moment we met Petra and Matt we knew we had found the right place. They were so welcoming and even our 10 month old didn’t cry (which he had everywhere else we visited!). My son’s time with Petra and Matt was great. He loved going and developed so much while he was there. I was a bit nervous about there being a dog but Google is just gorgeous and Harry loves her. The environment is really nurturing and lots of different activities for the children to do and we have a fantastic collection of artwork now! I loved the reports that came home every week which gave us a real sense of what Harry did. Petra went out of her way to help and support us as parents and we got so much helpful advice (which worked!). She was also particularly supportive in an emergency situation and can’t thank her enough for the extra care she gave Harry during that time.
We have sadly moved out of the area now. Although we have found a lovely nursery for him, it just doesn’t compare to the care we had at Petra. We miss Petra and Matt and google so much and have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone.
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Parent
on 10/12/2017
Petra and Mashko have provided a great setting for our son. He absolutely loves going and sometimes doesn't want to leave. They provide a lovin caring environment which is secure. This has given me peace of mind that I know our son is really looked after. We also really like the weekly report that details food our son has eaten and the activities he had done that day aswell as tapestry observations.
We are so happy that our son went Petra's and I wouldn't have considered anywhere else.
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Parent
on 10/12/2017
I felt confident sending my child
to Petra and Mashcov and loved the art works he came home with. It was great for him to have Matt’s male
Influence as well. The weekly reports and tapestry observations were great and Petra was always so responsive with texts and so on if I was at all concerned about my child. They provided a real ‘home
From home’ for
My child.
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Brecon
on 07/12/2017
Our older daughter spent over a year at Kool Kids Childminding. Petra and Matt provide a wonderful, family like setting for children up to the age of three. We were very happy with the care Petra and Matt gave our daughter - very week we received a detailed report telling us what she had eaten, activities, her sleep etc and we would frequently receive information on the tapestry application. It is hard to put into words Petra's setting - the best endorsement I can think of is that my 9 month old is now at Petra's and I wouldn't have considered sending her anywhere else!
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Miranda7
on 06/12/2017
Petra & Mashko provide a fantastic environment for little ones to grow and develop in a cosy and secure setting. They both are very caring, friendly and my child loved her time with them both, as well as Google, who’s beautiful and gentle dog!
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Parent
on 06/12/2017
My 18 month year old girl loved every moment with Petra and Matt. I could see the amazing education she was getting in the big things like counting, learning shapes, sharing with friends as well as the smaller things like washing her hands, sitting nicely at the table and going to sleep routine. I'm happy to answer any questions regarding this lovely care for our children.
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Parent
on 06/12/2017
Our daughter, Charlotte, started going to “Auntie” Petra’s house when she was 4.5 months old. From the moment we first met, Petra has always made us feel comfortable about Charlotte’s safety, development, and happiness. We are always included in decisions about and changes in routine, and we are regularly sent updates and photos so that we can feel like we are still part of her daily life while at the office. I know Charlotte has been happy at Petra’s house because she starts smiling as soon as she sees her front door, and her face lights up when she sees “Uncle” Matt. We love Petra and Matt, and are so sad to have moved out of the area. I’m still hoping that we will move back soon and snag a place with them again!
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Parent
on 21/09/2017
Petra and her team were looking after our daughter for over 2 years. It is also thanks to them that she is growing up a happy, creative and buzzing child. The environment and care were always excellent. The children are occupied and are motivated to learn through play, supervised by the team and by Google the lab. Google is the most gentle dog and our daughter is very fond of her. As parents we thoroughly appreciate the great communication we had with the child-minding team- we felt supported and understood. Both of us work full time and Petra is very appreciative with working parents. If there is a child-minder I can recommend, it would be Kool Kids. I am also happy to provide references to any prospective parents.
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Parent
on 15/09/2017
My son started with Petra and Mat 8 months ago, when he was 20 months old. Before that he had been to nursery, but although a nursery setting had worked wonders on his older sister, I felt that he needed more attention, more care, more nurturing that the nursery staff could give him. Also, I was unhappy with the high turnover of nursery staff, which meant that my son had to resettle with a new key worker every few months. I had an instant good feeling about Petra. She is very calm, and nurturing, a perfect "other mother" figure. She is experienced, capable, reliable, always in a good mood, and my son has come out of his shell since he started with her. Mat, her male assistant, is the perfect complement to a winning team. And Google, of course, the cuddly, gorgeous golden retriever. I feel that my son has grown into the best of himself. He's become a boisterous, adventurous, polite (!!) and happy toddler, who is comfortable with pets. Petra knows what my son needs (for example he needs a bit of quiet time when he arrives in the morning before he feels ready to join in in activities) and she has always been attentive to his needs and provided for them. Petra provides great end-of-the-week reports, and I love to receive the occasional photo/video of my son throughout the day. She has also nurtured his budding centres of interest, noticing for example that he loved musical instruments and encouraging him to play them.
I recommend Petra whole-heartedly to anyone looking for a reliable, lovely and caring person to look after their child(ren).
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Deborah
on 30/03/2016
Helena has been going to Petra for over 7 months and she truly enjoys her time with Petra, Matt (her assistant) and the other children. There is always plenty of fun and educational activities (drawing, painting, dancing, library etc) and healthy lunches and snacks. Petra is a very responsible and organised childminder who has lots of experience. She provides a weekly report for each child listing the week's activities, meals and import developments/events. I trust her completely and know that when Helena is there she is being well looked after and having a fantastic time! Highly commended!
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Parent
on 24/01/2013
The contents of this review are no longer available as the reviewer's account has been deleted.
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Parent
on 28/08/2012
I am a mother of a two year old boy who has been going to Petra for over 16 months. She is a great person with genuine love for children. I am very happy with the care she provides to my son. She tries to make every day special, one day going on a day trip to the Zoo, other day organising mini olympic games for the little ones in the garden (complete with medals and certificates), another day baking mini cup cakes... She is very reliable and I trust her completely. My son loves her and so do the parents. I would be very hapy to recommend her to anyone looking for a childminder for their child.
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on 08/08/2012
Petra is a fantastic childminder - that great combination of being really good fun and also incredibly organised and efficient with all the relevant paperwork. Henry has been going for 18 months now and loves it. All the children are polite and well behaved (most of the time!!) and have great fun - they do everything from activities indoors (painting, dancing, singing, making things) to outdoors with paddling pools and slides and they get out and about to the library, parks - they even went to see the Olympic Torch. Petra is really easy going and totally trustworthy - the kids love her and so do the parents - what's not to like?
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on 30/07/2012
