Honeybee's Reviews
Childminder
Below are the parent reviews for Honeybee. Back to Honeybee's profile
Average Rating: (5 from 18 reviews)
There are no words to say how amazing Helen is, she truly was made for this job. It is home from home and our daughter Freya loves to go and asks even on a weekend if she is going ha ha. Freya is moving into reception in September and although she will be staying on as a holiday honeybee jt was very emotional. Helen puts in endless effort, she always goes the extra mile and you can see how much she loves the honeybee children. You will not find a better childminder out there who will look after your child as good as Helen, she is then only one we recommend to friends and family
My youngest has been with Helen for just under a year now. I was particularly cautious in choosing a setting for her as her older sister had struggled to settle in her first nursery setting. From our first visit to Helen's welcoming home, I knew Dotty was going to be more than happy here! Helen was so calming and understanding. I'm sure she could see my eyes well up as she engaged Dotty straight away in all of the wonderful resources in the Honey Bees Hive.
Since then Dotty has thrived with Helen and absolutely adores her family.
Helen goes above and beyond to make sure that all the children feel that honey Bees is their home from home. The playroom is endlessly adapted and shifted to appeal to their current interests. When Dotty has a new favourite animal or story I can almost guarantee I will spot it in Helen's playroom or activities the following week.
Dotty gets so excited to go and see "Helen and her friends". She loves going on adventures in the park, especially when she gets to wear her wellies and honeybees puddle suit!
I love that Helen sends home a small journal entry about Dottys day and her learning and sends us snap shots of her exciting day. It's so nice for us to see but also helps us chat to Dotty about her day which she loves to do!
Helen is so dedicated to providing the best possible care and learning experiences for the children, we couldn't be happier that we found her. We could not recommend her more!
My little boy Zach has been going to Helen for just over a year, and honestly I cannot express how amazing she is!
Zach absolutely loves Helen and her family, he is always so excited to see them and runs instantly to go play when he is dropped off.
Helen’s house is literally a home from home, such a gorgeous atmosphere and zach absolutely loves the play room and all the toys and books!
No two days are the same and Helen always has the kids out which I love!
Helen herself is amazing, so kind and caring and always makes time for all the honeybee she really does put her heart and soul into what she does and it shows!
Couldn’t recommend honeybees anymore if I tried
I have been with Helen for 11 years now and my kids absolutly love her and her family its a home from home environment even my 14 year old who doesnt go to helens as a honey bee anymore wishes she did my 8 year old get excited on the days she at Helens even after 7 years. Helens family are also just as amazing as Helen my daughter feels like part of the family .x.
We met Helen through the government childminder and nanny page. We were looking for a new place for our son after concerns elsewhere. So already having a negative experience we were sceptical. The main thing we were searching for –
Cleanliness
Tidiness
Organisation
Education/outdoor activities
Care and attention to a realistic group of children roughly aground the same age.
We were initially aiming for a nursery and then we saw Helens Honeybees. So we popped her a message with the off chance she may have availability. She responded quickly and professionally, advising only two full days were available – so we continued the introduction process as we could utilise those two days and nursery. Helen has a private fb group that she uses to advertise the daily antics of the bees, and well, everything looked far too good to be true. So we went for a visit. Upon arrival there’s a wild and free hedge which strangely enough creates privacy and the feel of entering an enchanted gateway – we looked for the signature wreath as directed and scattered bee figurines. There’s an installed ring doorbell for safety and alerts – huge tick! We ring and wait a few moments (we’re visiting on a Friday so no children just a 1:1 session) and a very well presented, clean and pleasant lady answers the door, all smiles and radiating warmth. But the smell of the home was even more impressive given our past experience. It smelt clean but also fragranced (not like she’d just sprinted round with a can of febreze either; we’re talking deep scented). Regular cleaning. Fresh. Smell. – fantastic! We step inside and to the left of me a coat peg for the children – with name tags! To the right – a little name check station to register the children as present.... The night before I was complaining previously why didn’t they have these things so we didn’t get lost items and waiting forever for our child’s belongings. Helen had it sorted. Its also a shoes off home, which is something I’ve grown up with and reaffirms this with our baby. So already Helens is superseding and we’ve only just got through the front door. We then go through into the children’s area, where the walls are decorated with images of seeds and flowers shaping numbers from 1 to 10, a hoop with each child’s smiley face pinned displaying their inclusiveness in the home, children’s tables and chairs, a multipurpose table displaying a multitude of foraged goods, animals, and other educational materials. A combination of educational toys both wooden and plastic. Pencils – in matching colours in labelled pots! Dolls. Wooden utility play unit! Baskets and bowls sorted with toys because she pays attention to what the children enjoy and play with! She listened intently to concerns and learnt first hand about our baby boy. She showed us the children’s portfolios that she starts from day one detailing their journeys through start to finish. She has record books to put in the children’s bags for you to see what she feeds them/teaches them/observes in their characters/nappy changes the works! After one meet with Helen I just knew in my heart my baby would be happy here, not over stimulated or washed out with children to become feral – but heard, taught, cared for and nurtured in the moments I couldn’t be there with him. You can absolutely tell that every breath of this woman’s being is dedicated to children and not just her own, any child in her care is welcomed with warmth, smiles and love. The efforts this woman goes to, to include children in current worldly events – like painting a life size version of King Charles for his coronation so the children understand is outstanding. Teaching them kindness and how to be gentle with her animals. Going for daily walks and adventures. Each parental experience feels like she’s only caring for your child, her level of comprehending what each parent needs (especially when having negative experiences too previous) and delivering such an exceptional level of service is dumbfounding. How one woman can manage all this and continue to be such an enchanting, kind and genuine human is unbelievable. If you want your children to grow, learn and positively develop, if you understand that a child minder isn’t just designed to be a cheap stop to dump your child so you can have free time or work time (which you do you if so, each parenting style to their own) then Helen is by far underpaid and over accomplished for the service she delivers. She is absolutely astounding and worth every single penny. My son loves her, my parents love her and we love her. My son happily runs off without saying bye or crying. He’s just so comfortable and content. I also didn’t mention the garden or their little quiet space, I’d definitely investigate to see what you’re missing! ❤️ Also please remember - we were complete strangers when we met Helen. This is based soley on the month our baby has been with her.
As a first time mum Helen put me at so much ease leaving my little boy with her, he absolutely loves spending time at Helen’s and is always smiling and happy, it really is a gorgeous environment and I can’t recommend enough!
Honestly don’t have the words to describe how AMAZING Helen is. Helen looks after your child as if they are one of her own.
Helen’s passion, attention to detail and love shines through. We will genuinely continue to keep our little girl with her as long as possible as really enjoys her time there.
My daughter has been one of Helen’s honeybees for 6 years and has loved every moment.
Helen has encouraged and supported my daughter at every age with fun themes and topics. From ABCs and potty training to getting ready for starting school to encouraging self confidence in my daughter’s own abilities I cannot praise Helen enough for her positive and fun influence over the years.
My children are now 13 and 10 and no longer need a childminder. When they did, it was Helen. No other childminder would do. She made them feel at home, as did Ben, Jessica and Ryan. Helens was always a calm happy place to be with good home made food and the most amazing opportunities for the children to learn. Helen always made learning great for the children, lead by their interests so they loved going every day knowing there would be something amazing to do. Trips out to the park, the beach, picnics and so much more.
Helen provided a real home from home, family environment with so much to enrich the children’s development. She was clearly very knowledgeable in the early years arena and I felt settled with the knowledge that she always had the children’s interests as the core of everything. We had great communication every day, never wondered what they had been doing, the pictures and diaries told me everything. The children loved going to Helen’s, no question. If I could’ve kept them small they would still be there now!
I always recommend Helen to anyone looking for childcare in the area, although she very rarely has space, the Honeybees setting is my only recommendation for childcare.
My daughter loves going to Helens. She calls her Helen mama because she is like a second mum to my daughter. I love the fact my daughter is in a safe, secure, warm environment. With Roper Park at its door step is a bonus. Mia has gone to Helens since she was 6 months old- she's now 3 years old. When I leave Mia at Helens I know without a doubt I have nothing to worry about because Mia will have so much fun with the fun activities that Helen has planned. I love the fact the setting is in Helens home so it doesn't feel clinical and more homey. I feel Mia thrives in this environment and gets more one to one attention. Best place for a child to grow, learn and have fun.
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