Our son went to Rachael and her assistant Marion when he was just seven months old – we have sadly moved away from Ipswich closer to London, otherwise I would have kept him with them until school. Or really until he was 18 if they had allowed it!

He was with them for 15 months full time (8-6, M-F), going from a little baby who couldn’t even sit up, to a bouncy, brave, spirited, chatty and very mobile toddler. I have no doubt that all his brilliant development is down to the work that Rachael and Marion have put in. Rachael sends photos every day and updates, and I see nature workshops, painting, forest trips, petting zoo, farms, soft play, lunches out, museum, seaside, paddling pools in the summer, swings…etc. Seriously, he has more adventures than I’ve had! What they do is plan ahead. Something is always set up and ready to go, and each day is structured. Every day is play, but also he was constantly learning new things.

My son adored going and bounced at the front door waiting to be let in. He also loved all the other kids, who also benifited from Rachael and Marion’s care so are just a nice bunch of kids.

We didn’t know anyone when we moved back to Ipswich with our son, so Rachael has acted as our single person support network - at one stage or another she’s been a replacement for an NCT class, a doctor, a teacher, a health visitor, my own mum and most of all a friend.

What they don’t know about kids isn’t worth knowing and they really go over and above for their kids and their parents. Any family would be lucky to have them. Our new childminder has said my son is a delight to look after, and is talking so well for his age – it’s all down to Rachael and Marion. We miss them dearly.

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