Annas Acorns's Reviews
Childminder
5 out of 5
Parent reviews
Below are the latest reviews for ANNAS ACORNS. 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.
We moved our 2 year old son to Anna and John's in the summer of 2020. He had been attending a nursery before the Covid crisis, but was not really speaking there or interacting with the other children or staff, although he did speak well at home, so we thought a setting with fewer children would suit him better. He settled in after less than a week and was soon happily chatting and playing with Anna, John and the other children and making friends. Anna and John are forest school members and it was great to see daily photos of the children out in the open air, climbing on logs and jumping in puddles. We were very impressed when our now three year old could identify more species of plants and mushrooms than we could on family walks! In very bad weather Anna and John also entertain the children with indoor play equipment, crafts and lots of other toys and games. We are only leaving due to a house move and we will be very sorry to say goodbye to this very caring setting.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
Food-
Communication
by
Anna
on 18/04/2021
I cannot recommend Anna’s Acorns enough.
Both of my children have been with Anna and John and we were all sorry to leave them (my children went to school). I felt so comfortable and at ease leaving my children with Anna, my children enjoyed going there and felt safe and comfortable too. Not only do Anna and John provide a loving, caring environment, they educate the children inside and outside of the setting, which is brilliant! Thank you for everything you did for us, we appreciate it all and will definitely stay in touch. Get a place at Anna’s Acorns whilst you can, as I’m sure they are in high demand!!
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Michs79
on 29/10/2020
Cannot thank Anna and John enough for all the amazing childcare they have provided for Varenya. It has been an absolute pleasure to send Varenya to them and see her develop as a result of all the indoor and outdoor activities. We sincerely endorse every bit of the hard work Anna and John have invested in to make sure the kids are comfortable, happy, safe and have lovely experiences along the way. From since Varenya was 9months old to now 3yrs of age, she has made so many friends, developed a sense of social bond, curiosity and has grown to be adventurous. Special thanks to Anna's Acorns for arranging daily walks in the woods irrespective of the weather conditions to make sure kids are given that free environment to explore. I loved reading their daily notes and updates and watching Varenya grow from and timid infant to a confident toddler. Thank you Anna and John.
You have laid a solid foundation for our daughter and it shall always stay close to our hearts.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Neha
on 29/09/2020
Anna's Acorns will be severely missed by my daughter (and myself)!
My daughter was only a couple of months old when she started her time with Anna, and from the very beginning, knowing that she was with Anna and her husband when I was working, was a real reassurance.
The home is very warm, clean welcoming, tidy and cosy, with lots of toys and activities for children of all ages. Anna is bubbly and professional at all times, whilst maintaining this wonderful smile that has the ability to relax even the most anxious of parents on the most stressful of days!
Every day, my little one came home excited to tell me all about her time at Anna's; where they went, what they played, the art they did etc, and due to Anna sending me photos of my child throughout the day, I got to see it all too.
After 4 years, Anna, her husband, and all the children there, became an extended family to my daughter, one I am very grateful for.
There are no words to sum up how wonderful Anna's Acorns has been for us, they have been overwhelmingly brilliant.
The one last thing I can say with absolute certainty is this: If I ever have another child, Anna will be one of the first to know!!
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Megan
on 24/09/2020
My son absolutely loved goingvto Annas Acorns, he was there nearly 4 years before starting school. He learnt lots of things, made friends and enjoyed going places and the walks to the woods.
A great setting and Anna and John provided a warm welcome to both parents and children. Always kept us informed of updates and milestones he reached.
Highly recommend them to any parents looking for local childcare
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
JaiW
on 18/09/2020
We have been with Anna and John since 2015, when our little boy was 9 months old. Being first time parents, we were very anxious about leaving him. From the very beginning, Anna made us feel comfortable and her confidence and warm nature was just what we needed! Noah has benefited from the outdoor activities, making friends, arts and crafts, educational activities and general interaction with the other children. I loved reading the progress reports! When we left, Anna gave us a record which we love going through as it reflects his changes from a 9 month old till the age of 4.
Anna and John make you feel part of the family and have gone above and beyond the call of duty when we have had issues with drop off or day changes.
We have now left the UK, however Noah continues to remember his fond memories with Annas' Acorn and the gang. As far as we are concerned they are life long friends and a huge part of our little boys life. Do not worry, you are in good hands!
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Parent
on 15/10/2018
My son has been with Anna’s Acorns (Anna and her husband, John) since April 2016. He attended 5 days per week for 2 years. From January 2018 we reduced him down to 2 days as he alternated with nursery school. He starts reception this September.
I have been extremely happy with the care my son has received, and the great progress he has made whilst in Anna & John’s care. Their home is always welcoming, clean and well organised and my son has great fun playing with all the toys available and with the other children in their care. Beyond all this though, it is their warm and friendly, but no nonsense approach, which sets them apart from other childminders we have experienced.
They provides a wide, fun range of activities including plenty of outdoor exercise and soft play centres. I know my son has recently enjoyed sand and water play, drawing and sticking, reading and puzzles as well as outings to the park, trips to feed the ducks and walks in the woods. Last week he decorated a card to give to his Daddy for Father’s Day.
Both Anna & John are great communicators and have no trouble in gaining my son’s confidence and therefore encouraging good behaviour and kindness and compassion to others, both skills which are important to us at home. When my son steps outside his boundaries, they respond with firm but kind discipline explaining what they would like to see in terms which he understands. When he is hurt or feeling under the weather I know that he feels happy to be comforted by them and I am confident that they can administer either first aid or medication following all the correct procedures and completing the necessary records to ensure his health and safety.
I am also aware that they ensure good personal hygiene in 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 their home which has ensured that my son has remained healthy and bug free for as long as I can remember.
They complete an online app diary detailing what my son has done each day. From this I have a complete picture of his whole day including what he has eaten, how long he has slept, all his activities, his EYFS steps progress and even photos which the greater family in South Africa benefit from too! This helps me to feel involved with his care and that I can talk to him about his day.
All in all I am thoroughly happy with the level of care my son receives and I’m certain that being in such a positive and happy environment is helping him develop into a confident and self-assured little boy.
I would absolutely recommend Anna’s Acorns as great and reliable childminders.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
HelbK
on 22/06/2018
Anna and John took care of our daughter for 14months until we moved out of the area (the only reason she is no longer cared for by them). We wished we could have taken them with us!
With our family living so far away, and both my husband and I working full time, we were given such consistent and flexible support, which was invaluable to making our lives easier to balance. From snow storms to train strikes, our daughter's well-being was always the priority, and our minds were at ease from the very first time we met Anna and John.
Our daughter enjoyed the excursions to soft plays, farms, bowling or even just a walk to the park - every day there was a different activity planned. Her learning progressed rapidly, and she has become a bright, polite and charismatic little girl, thanks to Anna and John. She loved her interactions with the other children, and still talks about "AnnaJohn" often.
The package on offer from Anna was second-to-none. Pick-ups and drop-offs were amazing, and flexible for us to suit our commuting. The food on offer for the children was also varied and delicious (by all accounts!), and the regular updates on what they were up to kept us entertained (we really miss this!). If ever our daughter was unwell, Anna was straight on the case, leaving us no concerns whatsoever.
Many thanks for all you did for our little family. We will always be grateful to the wonderful start you gave our daughter.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Parent
on 14/02/2018
My boy loves his days with Anna and the gang, excellent childcare. Flexible pickups. Couldn't ask for better. Very pleased :)
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
JaiW
on 16/10/2017
I am a first time mum and my son had a difficult start in life so I was very anxious about leaving him.
All my worries disappeared as I watched him grow and enjoy his time with John & Anna.
I felt that it was a fun and safe environment for my son to be in.
My son looked forward to the outings with John & Anna every week, sometimes complaining when he had to stay at home with me!
I cannot thank them enough for the care they provided. It was a very sad day for me when my son started nursery and had to leave Anna's Acorns.
Very highly recommended!!
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Parent
on 05/10/2016
Anna is an amazing childminder, always reliable, flexible and most of all brilliant with my son, Jacob.
Jacob enjoyed his time with Anna & John and became very close to them. As a working parent I always felt happy and at ease that Jacob was being well cared for, loved and introduced to a wide range of activities both indoor and outdoors.
Daily updates in Jacob's book and text messages help me get through the day knowing he was having so much fun and making lots of friends.
I would most definitely recommend using Anna's Acorns - fab lady!
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Parent
on 14/06/2016
Anna has looked after our son since he was 8 months old. She is a wonderful child minder and made my son very comfortable when he was round. He was always keen to go there as Anna was very loving and caring including her family.
I have always found Anna to be very flexible and accommodating if we have needed to change our childcare needs. She does a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities with the children she looks after which is great.
We were always been updated with what our son has done and how he is developing. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a child minder. The only reason we no longer use her in due to a change in our circumstances, we would use her again if they change again.
-
Overall
-
Setting
-
Cleanliness
-
Food
-
Communication
by
Parent
on 09/02/2016
As a parent it isn't easy leaving your child with someone or trusting someone.Anna is blessed with an ability to gain your trust in almost no time .
she is the best thing i could have asked for my daughter aleena who was around 9 months when she was with Anna.
aleena got along very well and i have no complaints and concerns whatsoever.it was only that i went for vacation to my country that i had to take my daughter but as soon as she has a vacancy i will make sure to give aleena back to her as i cannot trust anybody but Anna
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 13/04/2014
Anna looked after my one year old son for nine months and my 6 year old in the school holidays. She has always been really approachable and flexible for our needs. She has a great communication system so we always knew what our little one had been up to, a great insight in to his day. I would recommend her to anyone looking for a childminder. The only reason we no longer use her in due to a change in our circumstances, we would use her again if they change again!
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 19/03/2014
Anna is a fabulous childminder. She minded my 21 month old daughter and I couldn't rate her higher enough. She is punctual, flexible, loving, professional, caring and a natural with children. My daughter was happy in her care. If I wasn't moving house, I would have definitely stayed with Anna.
Her home is indeed a home away from home and my daughter loved it there.
Anna, you are the best.
-
Overall
by
SHEILLAH
on 19/10/2013
It has been an absolute pleasure to have Anna as Maggie's childminder. As a first-time Mum returning to work with an 8 month old baby girl, it is fair to say I was apprehensive about leaving Maggie but Anna swiftly relayed my fears and I had complete confidence in her from the start.
When we met, she took the time to explain how she worked and what activities she did with the children in her care and then she asked if she could hold Maggie. She took her on her lap and held her up to talk to her and within a couple of minutes Maggie had thrown her arms around Anna's neck and given her a big cuddle. We knew straight away that she was the right person to care for our baby.
Anna is friendly, caring, honest , reliable, trustworthy, approachable and professional. Importantly, as we use her pick-up/drop-off service, she is also always punctual. Maggie has settled quickly and I can tell that she is happy in Anna's care.
Each day, Anna updates us with what Maggie has done that day and how she is developing and interacting with others. She regularly takes her out for the day and Maggie has flourished in her care.
I would have absolutely no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Anna to other parents and I am devastated to be losing her due to us moving out of the area. I wish her every success and happiness for the future :o)
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 09/08/2013
My two daughters, now aged 9 and 2, have been looked after by Anna for about 18 months . Anna had previously looked after my eldest, about four years ago, before she entered into full-time primary education.
To a parent, Anna is extremely professional and fully-qualified, also with child first aid care, to be a top class childminder. I feel very safe in the knowledge that my children are looked after without any fears.
To a child, Anna runs a fantastic daily schedule of healthy meals, fun and educational activities, arts and crafts, play time and sleep time / homework time (if needed).In fact, my girls never want to come home in the evening, as they have had such a fulfilling day. Frequent trips to places like KidSpace are always a favourite with the children.
Anna will take into account a child’s specific needs – special dietary requirements, potty training etc. and always makes each child feel very important. She also ensures that the children are respectful to her and others, always use good manners throughout the day and tidy up after themselves.
As far as toys and games are concerned, Anna has accumulated a fantastic treasure trove of role play, educational and fun things to do. And the house has never felt cluttered or messy, as everything is tidy and organised, and hidden away when not in use.
I would definitely recommend Anna to anyone who wants their children to be looked after in a very happy and content household.
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 28/03/2013
My son was with Anna after school from reception to year 5, i.e. 6 years. He thoroughly enjoyed his time there and still likes to go back from time to time. My son settled in very easily and he started with Anna. Anna is very caring and relaxed. She organises many activities for the children and her home is very child-friendly. I would certainly recommend Anna to parents looking for a childminder.
-
Overall
by
Parent
on 25/03/2012
