Claire

The Most Amazing Childminder

I originally wrote the letter below when Clare was visited by Ofsted. Part 1 was written after my daughter had been with Clare for just three months. But before posting it, I felt compelled to write a Part 2 — as she has been with Clare for 7 months and because the first version simply didn’t do her enough justice.

I apologies if it’s a long read, but I have a lot to say. Clare has had a profound impact on our daughter and our family, and I want to make sure that’s reflected properly.

Part 1

I spent a lot of time searching online to find the right fit for my daughter. I visited several homes, often leaving uncertain, feeling they weren't quite the right environment for my child. I was looking for someone who would truly engage with her, take her out to explore, and have enough fun resources at home to keep her entertained—especially during the many rainy days we get here in the UK.

When my wife and I visited Claire’s home, it was instantly clear that this was a special place. Claire first showed us the playroom, full of games, toys, and opportunities for messy play. She immediately engaged with our daughter Lana, who was teething at the time, offering her a toy and receiving a cheeky smile in return. It was a lovely first interaction that set the tone for everything that followed.

Claire’s home includes a well-maintained, secure garden perfect for little explorers, and a large, cozy living space where children can wind down and relax. As we sat at Claire’s dining table reviewing her credentials, I turned to my wife and said without hesitation that we would love for Claire to care for Lana.

Claire guided us through the necessary steps for childcare support and explained how everything works. Although she doesn’t officially provide meals, she kindly offered to give Lana breakfast since our mornings would start early. That same weekend, Claire went above and beyond, dropping off safety information and contracts at our home, asking about Lana’s dietary needs, and even picking up some little treats specifically for her. This thoughtful gesture was unexpected and deeply appreciated.

On Lana’s first day, I was a nervous wreck and told Claire I’d be working from home in case she needed anything. Claire sent us lovely pictures of Lana smiling and playing throughout the day. Yes, there were some tears—after all, it was her first day—but Claire and Rosie-Mae comforted her and kept her happy.

That evening, after picking up my wife from the station, we stopped by Claire’s house to thank her. We were impressed to see her already cleaning and preparing for the next day. It reassured us that Lana was in a safe and hygienic environment.

The next day went even better. Lana was more engaged, and once again, we received lots of lovely photos. That evening, Claire reached out about Lana’s short naps and suggested we work together on a solution. I joked with my wife that it felt like our first parents’ evening. Claire had already noticed so much and was eager to help us work through it.

She told us not to worry and reassured me—something I really needed. I’d been concerned about whether Lana would settle in, especially while teething, and whether Claire would continue to want to look after her. Claire quickly put my mind at ease, saying she loved having Lana and that we’d get through it together.

That evening, Claire told us she had purchased a baby swing to help Lana sleep—since she loves being rocked to sleep at home, usually by her mum. I offered to contribute to the cost, but Claire wouldn’t hear of it. The next day, Lana had a great day, ate all her food, and slept for over an hour in the swing. I was amazed and even bought the same one for home.

The only “negative” I could mention is my jealousy—Claire got to see Lana’s first crawl! But even then, she sent us a video, which meant the world to us.

To summaries, Claire and Rosie-Mae are incredible. They treat the children with so much love and care, as if they were their own. We are beyond grateful that Claire agreed to be our childminder. I genuinely couldn’t recommend her highly enough. I know it won’t be long before Lana is calling her “Auntie Claire” and not wanting to come home!

Part 2

From the moment our daughter joined Clare’s care, we knew we had found someone truly special. Clare isn’t just a childminder—she’s a nurturing, creative, and deeply thoughtful person who treats every child as if they were her own. Her dedication shines through in everything she does, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have her in our lives.

What sets Clare apart is the genuine love and attention she gives to each child. The one-to-one care she provides has made a huge difference in our daughter’s development and happiness. Clare takes the time to understand each child’s personality, interests, and needs, creating a safe and stimulating environment where they can thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually.

Every day is an adventure with Clare. She plans a rich variety of activities that are both fun and educational—whether it’s crafting, sensory play, or learning through stories and songs. She also organizes wonderful outings to parks, playgrounds, and seasonal events like pumpkin picking, Halloween parties, and Christmas celebrations. These experiences have given our daughter so many joyful memories and helped her build confidence and curiosity about the world.

Clare’s thoughtfulness goes far beyond the basics. She bought our daughter a Minnie Mouse sleeping bag to make nap time more comforting, and she regularly sends us photos and videos throughout the day. These updates mean the world to us—they give us peace of mind and allow us to share in the little moments that make up her day. It’s clear that Clare takes great pride in her work and genuinely enjoys seeing the children grow and flourish.

Her home is warm, welcoming, and perfectly set up for little ones to explore and feel safe. Clare has created a space that feels like a second home, and our daughter settled in quickly thanks to the calm, loving atmosphere she provides.

We’ve seen such positive changes in our daughter since she started with Clare—her language has blossomed, she’s more independent, and she’s always excited to go in the morning. It’s a testament to the care, structure, and affection Clare offers every single day.

We wholeheartedly recommend Clare to any parent looking for exceptional childcare. She is a rare gem—professional, kind, and endlessly creative. We’re so grateful for everything she’s done for our daughter and for the trust and support she’s given us as parents. Clare has made a lasting impact on our family, and we couldn’t imagine a better person to care for our little one.

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by Hannah on 19/12/2025

The best childminder ever♥️

I really want to leave this review here in the hope that other parents will see it and find it useful. When our child was 10-11 months old I had to go back to work and since it was just me and my husband in the UK I had to find someone to stay with my child. I admit that it was not easy to find someone, I searched for days for someone who was dedicated, loved children, had a clean and well-kept house, because after all that is where my child spends most of his time, and for me the cleanliness of the house was one of the most important things, I also looked for someone who would make me feel secure that my child was always safe. After many searches and visits to other childminders, where I was deeply disappointed by what I saw, I managed to get in touch with Claire. I visited the house and I can say that from the first moments I knew that my child would go there. The house was extremely clean, and Claire was very, very friendly. Obviously I didn't know her at the time, but she gave me the confidence I needed and made me feel that my baby would be safe with her. We started bringing the little one, who only cried when I left him, otherwise he was an extremely well-behaved child, but then it became like a second home for him. I always received pictures of him when he was happy and when he was sad, and this made me understand that Claire is very good because she doesn't hide from me that my child is crying or sad, but lets me see the truth. Ayan, my son, became very attached to her and her daughter very quickly, and they both love him like their own child. Claire is a very dedicated, very loving woman, a person who is very involved in raising my child, who makes sure that he doesn't lack anything when mommy and daddy are not with him, and we love and appreciate her enormously. I don't know if I could ever find someone who makes me feel as fulfilled as she does. I appreciate everything she does for my child and that's why I have recommended her to my friends who have children. I, who love my child so much and couldn't leave him for a moment, now leave the little one with Claire and stay worry-free all day. I know that he will be loved, fed, changed and put to bed and that he is very happy. I recommend you take a look at her profile, and if my story hasn't convinced you, please do it yourself. You won't regret it.

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by AnaSofia on 17/01/2025

Response by Claire on 17/01/2025:

Thank you. X

We as a family love her❤️

She is an amazing person and a childminder. As a new mum I face so many challenges with my twins. But she is very understanding and loving to my children. She love them and take care of them like her own child. Though one of my twin is taking town to settle but she is been very patient and calm. She discuss and understand the situation. She also do adjustments and been very flexible to settle the child in. I must say she is outstanding in what she do. She explains and helps in children growth and report us their activity and development. Thankyou Claire for being an amazing and loving Aunty Claire.

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by Kamini on 20/03/2024

My Childs second home..

I am delighted to provide a glowing review for Claire, the childminder who has been taking care of my children, Faizaan and Noorayn. From the moment we entrusted our precious little ones to her care, Claire has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their well-being and development.

Claire's dedication to her role as a childminder is truly exceptional. She creates a warm and nurturing environment that immediately put our children at ease. It's evident that she genuinely cares for them and treats them as if they were her own. Claire has a natural ability to connect with children, and both Faizaan and Noorayn have formed a strong bond with her.

One of the aspects that stands out the most about Claire is her commitment to providing a safe and stimulating atmosphere for our kids. She has a wide range of age-appropriate activities and toys that have not only kept them engaged but have also helped with their cognitive and social development. From arts and crafts to educational games, Claire ensures that our children are consistently engaged in productive and enjoyable activities.

Moreover, Claire's attention to their nutritional needs is remarkable. She prepares nutritious meals and snacks, taking into consideration their dietary requirements and preferences. This has put our minds at ease, knowing that our children are well-fed and receive the right nourishment under her care.

Communication is another area where Claire excels. She keeps us updated regularly on our children's daily activities, any concerns or issues, and their progress. This open and transparent communication has fostered a sense of trust and confidence in her abilities as a caregiver.

In addition to her commitment to the children, Claire is incredibly flexible and accommodating when it comes to scheduling. She has gone above and beyond to accommodate our busy and sometimes unpredictable work hours, ensuring that we have peace of mind knowing our children are in good hands.

Claire's professionalism, kindness, and genuine love for what she does make her an outstanding childminder. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have found her, and she has become an integral part of our children's lives. Faizaan and Noorayn have not only thrived under her care but have also developed strong social and emotional skills that will benefit them in the long run.

In conclusion, Claire is more than just a childminder; she is a caring and dedicated individual who has become an extended part of our family. We wholeheartedly recommend her to any parents seeking a trustworthy and loving caregiver for their children. We are grateful for the love and support she has provided to Faizaan and Noorayn and look forward to the continued growth and development of our children under her exceptional care. Thank you, Claire, for being a remarkable childminder and making a positive impact on our family's life.

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by Faizaan on 19/10/2023

Amazing Claire

Claire is an amazing childminder. My daughter has been going to Claires for over a year and she has loved every minute spent there.

Claire has always provided a safe, nurturing and educational environment, all while being creative and fun with the kids through artworks, paintings and messy play. They do quite a lot of activities which is what we loved from the start: playgroups, parks, allotment and many more.

My daughter has been thriving under Claires care, started speaking a lot more and developed her artistic abilities. Claire has always been a huge help with us first time parents too, keeping us updated throughout the day on what they’re up to but also listening to our worries about our daughter’s development and offering advice and support.

We have been recommending Claire to all our friends and neighbours especially as that’s how we met Claire- our neighbours recommended her. I cannot recommend Claire enough and she has been exactly what our daughter needed at this stage in her life.

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by Denisa on 18/10/2023

Simply excellent

Claire has been a wonderful caring, loving, and supportive caregiver for our child, Samko. She took care of him for 2 years and she prepared him for a reception very well. She has a warm and inviting home that is perfect for children, and she always keeps them busy with activities that are both educational and fun. Claire takes the children to parks, playgroups, and other local attractions, so they always have something new to experience.
Samko has learned so much from Claire during his time with her. He will definitely miss her when he starts school in the fall. I highly recommend Claire to any parent who is looking for a caring, loving, and experienced childminder.

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by Mirka on 08/07/2023

Response by Claire on 08/07/2023:

Thank you so much that is so lovely. It's been a pleasure watching Samko develop. We are all going to miss him so much. X

Amazing at what she does

Claire is absolutely fantastic! We had to change our childminder due to a house move and from the moment my little one met Claire, she absolutely loved her. It was the easiest transition ever when both of them greeted each other with a big smile every morning. Ever since, Claire has been amazing: caring, loving and firm with Mia when needed. She has a great setting and always keeps the little ones busy with activities inside her home or by going to classes, parks, garden plays etc. No wonder Mia loves spending time with her! Claire is also great with us parents, she always offers support and advice. It's extremely useful for us, first time parents, and we find her expertise invaluable. Last but not least, Claire is trustworthy, understanding and flexible. She always gives plenty of notice with leave and accommodates changes. That was extremely helpful not only when we moved but also when I was changing jobs. We feel very lucky to have her as a childminder! Thank you, Claire!

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by rita kac on 29/06/2022

Excellent childminer

Claire has been looking after my daughter (21 months old) for 9 months now. From the moment we went to visit we were very impressed with both Claire and the setting.

Claire has lots of activities planned with the children, whether that be going to the allotment, park or playgroup. My daughter is always coming home to show off things she has made at Claire's during the day.

Claire sends photographs of the activities to us throughout the day and is always quick to respond to any communication. My daughter loves going there and it is really reassuring to know she is safe and enjoying herself while I am working.

I have only good things to say about Claire and would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for a childminder, I really appreciate everything she has done for my daughter.

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by Jo Piper on 28/06/2022

Response by Claire on 28/06/2022:

Thank you. X

Fantastic childminder!

Claire has looked after my 2.5 year old for the last 8 months and I have nothing but positive things to say about her. My son comes home every afternoon chatting away about what a lovely time they had, whether it be playing in her house or garden, going to the Allotment, visiting the park or going to soft play - And he regularly asks to go to Claire's house at the weekend!
Claire is always keeping us updated with what they are doing, sending pictures and letting us know at the end of each day how our son's day has been and he often comes home with things that he has made. It's clear to see that Claire puts in so much effort every day, thinking of nice things for them to do, places to go or things to make. It's made our life so much easier while we work knowing that our son is having a good time and that we can trust her 100% which is all that really matters choosing someone to look after your child. I honestly don't think I could ask for any more.

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by Sophia on 25/08/2021

A very good childminder

My 2 children went to Claires for a year and a half. They were both very happy there and were made very at home there. She is very good at her job, very professional, friendly and welcoming.She has a lovely home which is perfect for the children to play and learn . Claire takes the children out to parks ,soft plays feed the duck's. You couldn't want for a nicer childminder. I highly recommend her if u are looking for one

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by Louiseal on 09/03/2021