Our son started with Mandy shortly after his first birthday. Initially, she appeared kind and accommodating, particularly when he was struggling with his naps. However, over time we became increasingly concerned about the quality of communication and care he was receiving.

We frequently found uneaten food remaining in his lunchbox at the end of the day, yet concerns about hunger or tiredness did not appear to be recognised. Instead, we were regularly told that he had been in a "bad mood" and that teething was the cause. We were often informed that Calpol had been administered. As parents, we felt that normal developmental needs such as tiredness and hunger were not always being appropriately considered, even with repeated reminders on our behalf.

We also received very limited feedback regarding our son's learning, development, interests, or achievements. Most conversations focused on his behaviour, sleep, or tantrums, and we rarely received information about positive progress or developmental milestones.
When our son was around 18 months old, communication became increasingly concerning and inconsistent. We would frequently be told he had been challenging one day, only to be told he had had a "fab day" the next. This made it difficult to understand what was actually happening while he was in her care.

Shortly before Christmas, Mandy informed me during a morning drop-off that she had "never had a child like him in 12 years of working." When I asked what she meant, she referred to his tantrums. I asked for more information, and she said was concerned about the frequency of his tantrums with her. I explained that at home, we were experiencing tantrums but not to this degree. Despite this conversation, we were subsequently reassured that she considered them developmentally normal, and everything was going generally well.

Approximately two months later, I received a phone call at work during which I was told that she could no longer cope with him, that he required "1:1 support," and that she had never cared for a child like him before and that I needed to come and pick him up immediately. During this discussion, comments were also made suggesting that he was "not normal" and that other childminders were asking what was wrong with him at the playgroup today. Regardless of whether a child has additional needs or not, we found this approach deeply upsetting and unprofessional. We believe that any concerns regarding a child's development should be discussed sensitively, objectively, and with appropriate evidence.
The final incident that led us to end the placement immediately occurred on the same day as this conversation. When I arrived for collection, I found my son visibly distressed and restrained in a buggy. I was informed that he had been kept there for safeguarding reasons. This left us extremely uncomfortable and concerned.

We removed our son from the setting immediately. Since moving to nursery, he has settled well, grown significantly in his communication and formed positive relationships, and has not required the level of support that has been suggested. We believe a big part of this has been due to better well-being and nurturing. While every childcare setting is different, our experience was characterised by inconsistent communication, a heavy focus on perceived behavioural concerns, and discussions about our child that we found inappropriate and upsetting.

Based on our experience, we would not choose to use this childminder again.

• Overall
• Setting
• Food
• Communication