I started with Mamta when my baby was 12 weeks old in September 2023.

I had been put off the idea of childminding after my first viewing but when I met Mamta I immediately felt reassured. She appeared so genuine and caring, despite the venue not being entirely to my standards (ie some mold around the terrace door which reduced the air quality, a little unclean...). I found her character to be rare (caring, playful, spritely) and that was most important to me as I wanted my baby to feel loved and stimulated.

Initially, I was giving Mamta up to and well over £1k monthly, and this continued for almost 2 years until my financial situation changed. Her charging was inconsistent but I didn't want to ruin the relationship we had so I 'people-pleased' and tendered to her demands for extra payments whether or not I agreed with them. My sister first became concerned when Mamta began insisting that I stop breastfeeding my baby because it made it more inconvenient for her to feed my baby, but I collected this red flag and many others (for example, her refusal to meet my child's basic nutritional needs according to OFSTED standards despite my multiple polite requests over the years, my baby's higher-end clothing disappearing, family members being heavily involved in the childcare because many of her family live at home despite her assertions otherwise when we signed our contract, getting mad at me when my baby didn't want to go because she could have had the day off despite me having paid for that day...).

Mamta also provides a school pick up and drop off service meaning that she will have an unsafe number of children with her whilst trying to navigate the busy school roads. As much as I could avoid dropping my baby to her before a school run I would do so. Partly to ease the burden on her and partly because I couldn't see how she could confidently safeguard so many children at once through those very busy school roads at their peak times. Though, Mamta often took on more children than allowed. I suppose things were going very well for her because she was able to renovate her house (yes, construction whilst childminding) and was in the process of starting a new business (yes, shopping whilst on duty).

Since September 2025 things have been very different. I'm no longer able to spend like I did and I have been grateful for the free childcare hours from the government though I imagine that this has not been good for business. I have noticed Mamta change in personality and, for the first time since knowing her, my son started asking to stay at home instead of going to Mamta's. She started caring for her partner's grand-nephew and I wonder if her attention was now focused towards her new family member. This would be disappointing and I suppose this might be the reason professional carers are not allowed to care for their own family, due to the special treatment which leaves other children feeling neglected.

Just before Christmas, Mamta had 3 days off sick due to a family emergency. I fully empathise however, I was not reimbursed for the childcare paid for during this period. I didn't ask, and I wouldn't have done so but then Mamta started making more demands for extra payment. Although she claimed to offer a 15minute grace period for late pick ups, she began charging me for 4minutes and 8 minutes lateness. When I didn't respond to her demands due to being unwell - she is aware that I am going through a difficult time - she started sending pictures of my baby to a group chat which I had asked her not to do, due to issues with an abusive ex-partner who is on that group chat. I found this to be exquisitely aggressive and I stepped down from being a people pleaser.

When she disturbed me on a Saturday to give me an ultimatum to pay a ridiculous amount within 12 days, I asked her to breakdown the amount so I could understand how she had reached her figure. Mamta then told me that she did not argue and that she would be terminating the contract with immediate effect. I read this message on a Sunday before a meeting on the Monday, which I then had to cancel. After almost 2.5 years, I became disposable to Mamta because I couldn't keep up her income. Due to the abruptness of her termination and the steep escalation in her demands in the 10-12 days prior, I wonder if another client had approached her for a 5 day contract at her new rate £65/day (I was still on her old rate £50/day and only taking 3 days per week).

Mamta has refused to engage with me since her final message and simply posted some of my baby's items back. After 2.5years and she didn't even say goodbye to my baby. I feel so traumatised by this event and I wonder what effect it has had or will have on my baby.

I feel that she is very manipulative and entirely concerned about money. I would want to warn other parents of this so that they can protect themselves emotionally.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication