Yvette was truly the best find we made. I usually only write reviews once a service is complete, but Yvette is my exception — I cannot recommend her enough.

Before our son started childcare, we visited a number of childminders. While most were lovely, Yvette stood out to my husband and me. I can’t quite describe it, but it felt like a sixth sense telling us our child would be safe and happy with her.

As a first-time parent, leaving my only child in someone else’s care while returning to work after maternity leave, my nerves were sky-high. But from the very first meeting, her calm demeanour, warmth, patience, and the way our son settled around her put us completely at ease.

At the time we met her, Yvette had just returned to childminding after a short break. Caring for children is hard work, and the fact that she had stepped back, recharged, and come back refreshed spoke volumes to us. It showed her self-awareness and her commitment to giving children her very best.

Our son absolutely adores her. At drop-off, he’s eager to run off and get on with his day. This might sound strange, but for a parent there is no greater joy than seeing your child so happy that they literally push you out and close the door behind you — and my son does this every single day!

Yvette keeps him super active, engaged, and constantly learning. I often joke that I’m jealous of his life — every day is an adventure. Rain or shine, he’s out exploring, reading, exercising, visiting playgrounds, meeting up with other children, or even going on trips. There’s never a dull moment.

She also shares regular and thoughtful updates with photos and videos, often explaining the developmental milestone behind an activity — for example, how a simple game builds dexterity or problem-solving skills. His vocabulary has also grown so much since being with her, which is lovely to see. She notices things about our son long before we do (sometimes embarrassingly so!).

Yvette truly feels like part of our family. I love our chats during drop-offs and pick-ups, and she is always so accommodating with our schedules. She genuinely cares about our little boy’s wellbeing — she misses him when he’s away on holiday and makes him feel so cherished, whether it’s thoughtful Christmas presents (last year it was a beautiful book) or the little surprises he brings home each day, like something he planted or a piece of artwork he proudly made.

Choosing a childminder is one of the hardest and most important decisions you’ll ever make. If you’re considering Yvette, I’d be more than happy to talk to you personally and share more about our experience — but I can already tell you, she is an absolute gem.

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