Kidswithdebby's Reviews

Fantastic care of my premature baby

I have a 14 month old son who was ten months old when he went to Debbie's. He was ten weeks premature and had some health problems as a result. He was also extremely dependent on me, would scream if put down at all, would not sit in a high chair, take milk from a bottle etc.

Debbie and Allan have been absolutely amazing! They allowed me to shadow them for a month or so before I left him with them. I was so anxious about him not coping but since I have been leaving with them he hasn't even cried on parting with me. His development has come on immensely, he is happy, confident and loves the other babies and kids. They take him out to lovely places every day, and send pictures of the fun they are having, their communication is great and they are extremely child centered. I feel so lucky to have found Debbie and Allan to look after my son, I fully trust them to make sensible decisions in his best interests when he is with them.

Rhian

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by Rhian about Kidswithdebby on 07/09/2016

Response by Kidswithdebby on 21/10/2016:

We have learnt so much from you. The settling in sessions and the mirroring us on outings really helped us understand the meaning of looking after a premature baby. What an experience for us, thank you for choosing us as your childminder. We have had some real challenges and new experiences which has been great. I'm so glad we connect well together to ensure our little person has all the support that is needed. To come from a baby who just wanted to be in a carrier for comfort and security, to being a confident child, who is secure, feels a sense of trust and love is simply a reward that seemed so far from achieving so soon. We are so very pleased.

Flexible childcare in a loving homely environment

Debby and her partner Allan have looked after my 19 month old for the last 8 months and he has enjoyed every minute. They specialise in flexible childcare and they have bent over backwards to help us out - either due to work commitments or personal situations where we've needed to change things at the last minute.
They do a variety of activities with the children and often go on day trips to farms, parks and soft play. Our son has thrived being with kids his own age and older. Their home is incredibly welcoming and geared up to stimulate children both in the summer months, in their fab garden, or during the winter with a selection of toys and activities to suit children of all ages.

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by Charlie about Kidswithdebby on 05/09/2016

Response by Kidswithdebby on 21/10/2016:

Thank you for your kind words, it's much appreciated that our hard work is recognised. It's a huge responsibility to look after children from other families. Our flexibility, means long unsociable hours also, however, your child has brought us so much laughter with his cuteness and happy, cheeky personality. We would also like to thank you for supporting us to enable things to run smoothly in being flexible yourselves, you have been a pleasure to work with. Always happy to listen to ideas and suggestions and work with us. We have always felt like an important part of your family and that makes us feel good.

Outstanding childminder, her assistant is ok too ?

Jacob has been minded by Debby and Allan since February, he absolutely loves it there. He often talks about them when he's not with them both and is always pleased to see them everyday. They've been fantastic with me as well, keeping me informed throughout the day and they've put my mind at ease on those crazy mornings (we all have them at times!)
They get out of the house everyday and do something fun. They also try to encourage their development with different activities within the home. Jacobs speech has come on in leaps and bounds and although he's a head strong little boy he is fantastic with the smaller children, this again I believe is a credit to them both as he wouldn't get interaction with smaller children being in a nursery.
All in all, we both love the environment that they provide. All the children always seem happy and content every time I've been to pick up and drop off.

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by jenoverl about Kidswithdebby on 05/09/2016

Response by Kidswithdebby on 09/09/2016:

Jen, hahahaha, we love looking after your son. His sense of humour clearly comes from his mum, hahaha.....

Brilliant review, it means a lot to us.

We have lots of fun, you know that, from the videos and pictures you receive from us. We had to manage some challenging situations, as this young man is our escape artist and very strong willed. Full of character though. Just fits in perfectly.

Absolutely brilliant

Debby and Allan have been looking after my two children after school for a few months and they have been fantastic, the children always come back telling me about all the activities they did there and that they had fun, they love going there and it's clearly a loving and caring environment. Debby has also been very flexible to accommodate our family's needs which has been an invaluable support. Thank you very much!

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by KatyaV about Kidswithdebby on 10/02/2016

Response by Kidswithdebby on 10/02/2016:

Your more than welcome. We have both really enjoyed looking after the children. They are such sweet, well mannered children and your youngest is quite a character. Thank you for choosing us as your childminders.

Extremely caring and understanding

Debby and Allan are a great team and provide a very warm, welcoming and caring environment for children.
We were anxious, as most parents are, at putting our daughter in childcare however Debby (and Allan) allayed our fears and put us very much at ease. They understand how parents may be feeling and are very sensitive to the needs of the children that they care for. They were extremely accommodating when it came to settling our daughter so much so that I went to playgroups with them and gradually introduced my little girl to them.
Our daughter is 13 months old and took to Debby and Allan straight away and whilst it was hard to leave her I could see that she would be fine.
I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending them to any of my friends with kids and I will continue to place our daughter in their care - as long as they have space for her!

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by Parent about Kidswithdebby on 19/01/2016

Response by Kidswithdebby on 21/01/2016:

Thank you for your kind words. We thuroughly enjoyed working for you and wouldn't hesitate welcoming you all back to the setting when the time is right for you. In the meantime should you require add hock we are here for you. Thank you for choosing us as your childminders.

Graded "outstanding" for a reason!

There is no other way to describe Debby's childcare but as absolutely amazing. Having had my son in nursery and after school clubs I am only disappointed that I didn't find Debby sooner. When I first met Debby the feeling of her home was clean, warm and welcoming. Her experience and love and enjoyment of her work comes off in waves. Her services are extremely flexible allowing me to carry on studying and working whilst my son is on half term, with a constant changing timetable Debby is happy to work around this. At first I was worried as my son is a highly energetic little boy but in a small group Debby and Allan give him fair boundaries and their authoritative but caring nature has earned the respect they deserve from my son. Logan absolutely loves spending time with Debby, Allan and sometimes Debby's daughter Katie. He is keen to tell me all about the adventures they have, from trips to the park, educational outings or spontaneous trips to London. The activities are planned with all the children in mind and somehow they manage to cater to all their needs. I am provided with photos and videos and Logan always looks incredibly happy. The proof is in the pudding, Logan often comes home exhausted sometimes not wanting to leave which shows how much he enjoys being there, which is most important to me. According to Logan himself Debby is "beautiful, lovely and caring" and Allan is "handsome, respectful to Debby and nice". If a 6 year old can pick up on these qualities he is in the right environment. I would wholeheartedly recommend Debby and Allan for any childcare needs.

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by Parent about Kidswithdebby on 30/10/2015

Very happy with our childcare

Our 13 month old has been with Debbie and Allan for two months now, he is with them five days a week, 12 hours a day. I had huge reservations about returning to work and leaving Sam for so long but I honestly needn't have worried. He leaps into Allan's arms when he is picked up in the mornings and we've seen him laughing with Debbie at the end of he days. We receive pictures and videos of all the fun that they are having often at the beach, park, farm etc etc. I do not know where Debbie and Allan get their boundless energy from! Our son settled in with them straight away and you can see the obvious affection that he has for them and vice versa. I think Sam has developed more quickly since being there - playing with and watching the older children. The service that they provide with pick ups and drop off's has been invaluable for us as my husband and I both commute on the train to work so that service takes a lot of a.m. and p.m. stress away. They are also very flexible, we are at the mercy of the trains to get back on time and there have been times when we have both been delayed and they are happy to work around that. They also sometimes wash Sam and pop him in his PJ's when he is really tired so that he is all ready for bed when he arrives home. I had a good feeling about Debbie and Allan when I spoke to Debbie on the phone but when I went to visit their house, I knew that I'd found the perfect childcare. The house has a warm, friendly feeling and they have the most amazing garden that the kids get to play in. I'm really happy with the amount of outdoor play that the kids get compared to some nurseries that I visited.

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by Saragold about Kidswithdebby on 13/07/2015

Response by Kidswithdebby on 14/07/2015:

Saragold, we are like the aunt and uncle to xxxxxx. Even though he is with us for a long stretch, he knows as soon as we pull up to the road that it's mummy and daddy time. His legs kick out with excitement, his whole body language displays an overwhelming sense that he is at home. We all communicate well throughout the day. Communication is definitely the key to a succesful partnership between childcare setting and home setting, assuring xxxxxxx is safe, nurtured in a thriving environment where he feels a sense of love, effection and security to venture off and explore in a learning method that xxxxx chooses. In the two months we have been looking after him we have listened, watched and taken notes on the style of learning that best suits xxxxxx. We include all the child's individual styles of learning and adapt our free play style of learning at each child's age stage development. Each child is an individual, there needs and wants are varied. With the aid of Babysdays the online software package I can complete the required paperwork within the childcare setting quickly and effectively. For parents like yourselves, you can access information such as observations, contracts, invoicing, policies, procedures, trackers on xxxxx to see which early years outcomes are complete merging and so on, 24 hours a day. It is an opportunity for parental interaction. You use it well and share information, privately and it is all confidential. We do really enjoy working for you all as a family unit and we feel valued and respected like members of an extended family, which is nice for everyone. Thank you, for choosing us as your childminders.

Great team

Debbie and Allan have been caring for my two children for over a year. I am a single mum trying to juggle a million things so I hugely appreciate that my children are not only in safe hands, but that if I am late home from work etc. Debbie and Allan can usually manage to accommodate this. The pick ups and drop offs are invaluable. The children are regularly taken out to parks, farms, and my 3 year old to toddler groups so they get a good variety of activities and exercise. They also get to socialise with other children in the setting.

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by Louise H about Kidswithdebby on 11/07/2015

Response by Kidswithdebby on 11/07/2015:

Thank you Louise, for your comment, we have worked very hard to support you and your family in childcare and give continuation of care whenever there was a delay with transport for example and get the children ready for bed at the setting ready to go home and sleep. You and your family are a delight, we have both grown very fond of you all. They are apart of our family and we know the children are happy when they snuggle up to us and say "I Love You Allan, I Love You Debby" its so sweet. They are remarkable children who are bursting to learn about the world we live in, full of curiosity, well mannered children. It is our pleasure.

Debby and Allan are a great team

I spent ages trying to find the right fit for our 9 month old. We needed someone who could ideally pick up and drop off and who we felt comfortable with. I felt good as soon as I walked into Debby's house; clean but warm and friendly. Debby and Allan are very professional but also caring and loving towards the children. Our little one settled in in no time and I feel no anxiety when I am at work; I get updates all the time be it photos, videos or simply a text message. Our girl comes home happy and tired which is perfect! They are extremely flexible about times which helps us a lot as it can vary a little each week. We are so happy we opted for this rather than a nursery as Debby goes somewhere or does something different with the children each time and she really focuses on their sensory and physical development. Can't rate her and Allan enough.

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by Parent about Kidswithdebby on 10/07/2015

Response by Kidswithdebby on 11/07/2015:

Thats a really nice review, it does feel nice to feel appreciated. THANK YOU.

We do enjoy the little bundle of joy and working with you all. Its great to work with flexible parents to, from our point of view. We enjoy working in partnership and being open and honest with parents that way we all work as one, to look after the most precious thing in your lives, giving child xxxxx a sense of belonging, warmth and love. I am a strong believer that if a child feels that their well being is being taken care of, they will feel confident and secure to explore the world we live in, safely.

She's great

I've been with Debbie 5 months now. I'm very happy leaving my 1 year old with her. She's genuinely caring to the children and takes an interest in their well being. She really thinks about their learning and development needs and this shows in all the different activities and experiences she offers them on a daily basis. She updates me with a diary, photos and video and I find this very reassuring as a parent.

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by Dottyros about Kidswithdebby on 09/07/2015

Response by Kidswithdebby on 09/07/2015:

Thank you for your kind remarks and for your efforts to leave a review on this site. Even though your child attends on an add-hock basis, we are delighted that child xxxxx, has settled in so well and has become a part of our extended family. Your support as a parent has been great, your organisation of the activity you set up for the children in our care, was an amazing experience for them. A newsletter of our day, will be going out shortly with some pictures.

I do love it when parents get involved !