Elaine has been childminding my daughter, Georgia, since January 2016. She looks after her for 4 days each week from 8am to 5.45pm.

I have been incredibly happy with the care Georgia has received, and the great progress she has made whilst in Elaine’s care. Elaine’s home is always welcoming, clean and well organised and Georgia has great fun playing with all the toys available and with the other children in her care.

Beyond all this though, it is Elaine’s warm and caring approach that sets her apart from other childminders we have experienced.

She provides a wide, fun range of activities including plenty of outdoor exercise. Georgia especially loves arts and crafts as well as the numerous outings that Elaine plans; these include trips to the museum and the theatre as well as the usual suspects such as soft play.

I especially like the way that the children learn about other countries and cultures and I know that Georgia has enjoyed learning about Australia and China as well as her own country through celebrating St Andrew’s Day.

Elaine is a great communicator and inspires confidence in the children. She encourages good behaviour and works to instil kindness and compassion in Georgia – behaviours that are important to us at home. When Georgia steps outside her boundaries Elaine responds with firm but kind discipline explaining what we would like to see in terms that Georgia understands.

When Georgia has a mishap or feeling under the weather I know that she feels happy to be comforted by Elaine. I am also confident that she can administer either first aid or medication following all the correct procedures and completing the necessary records to ensure Georgia’s health and safety.

Elaine provides healthy lunches for all the children, as well as snacks such as fruit and rice cakes. I am also aware that Elaine ensures good personal hygiene through encouraging all the children to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. I’m sure that it is this practice, together with the cleanliness of Elaine’s home, which has ensured that Georgia has remained healthy and bug free for the last 12 months – up until she started pre-school!

Elaine sends us a comprehensive text each day detailing what Georgia has been up to that day. From this I have a better picture of her whole day including what she has eaten and all her activities. This helps me to feel involved with her care and that I can talk to her about her day.

All in all I am thoroughly happy with the level of care Georgia has received whilst with Elaine and I’m certain that being in such a positive and happy environment has helped her develop into a confident and self-assured little girl.

I would absolutely recommend Elaine as a great and reliable childminder and I'm happy to speak to anyone who is considering using Elaine.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication