StuartS

Disappointing experience

We’ve had a horrendous experience with this provider, albeit we have come away feeling like we dodged a bullet.

We first visited when I was pregnant and we were blown away by the setting. It’s incredible in terms of facilities. We were so happy to have secured places for our twins.

Fast forward to a couple of months before the twins were due to start, and we received an email from the childminder asking us to come back for a further visit to “build a relationship” ahead of the girls starting. We of course agreed. There was some back and forth trying to find a suitable date and time that worked for everyone and, at one point, we didn’t respond for a week over half term. This wasn’t intentional, life was simply busy.

When we did reply, agreeing to the suggested date, we received an email from the male owner stating that taking over a week to respond was not how he did business. He also said they had “reservations” about us and that it was therefore essential that we meet. Given that the couple had only met us once, I was left unsure what those reservations could have been. He went on to say, “We just don’t feel an initial working relationship has started to develop and this is something we both consider essential.”

I wasn’t aware it had been our responsibility to build a relationship with them prior to our girls starting. He signed off his email with the following - “if you still wish to place the twins with us may I suggest you come back with some times and dates that may fit both of our schedules.”

We were extremely upset by this exchange and were left feeling that the girls’ places could potentially be withdrawn despite having already been confirmed in writing. It totally undermined our confidence in the arrangement and ultimately we decided that we could not move forward with the setting.

We were devastated and left in an awful situation with no alternative childcare just six weeks before my return to work.

As a same-sex family, the experience unfortunately left us questioning whether there may have been any element of bias in how we were treated. We have no way of knowing whether that was the case, but it added another layer of distress to an already upsetting situation.

My advice would be to proceed with caution. Our experience left us feeling that prospective parents are being assessed against standards that are not clearly communicated, and that a place may not feel as secure as you might expect even after being confirmed.

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by Nicola on 01/06/2026

Response by StuartS on 02/06/2026:

We are sorry to hear that you were disappointed by your experience. Our intention throughout was to maintain clear communication and establish a positive working relationship ahead of the girls starting with us.

Following only one initial visit and given the time that had passed without further communication, we felt a further meeting would have been appropriate to reconnect and ensure expectations were aligned before the placement began.

At no point was there any intention to cause upset or uncertainty, and we want to be clear that we do not hold any bias towards individual family circumstances. We are committed to welcoming and supporting every family, and to building respectful and professional relationships from the outset. Our journey into childcare was deeply shaped by the loss of our daughter, and her memory continues to influence the love, care, and dedication we bring to every child we look after.

As childcare providers, we believe this role is about far more than simply offering a service; it is about building trust, maintaining clear communication, and creating respectful relationships with every family from the outset.

We would, however, like to wish you and your family all the very best for the future, and hope you find a setting that meets your expectations and provides a happy start for the girls.


Best wishes

Louise and Stuart
Childcare at Lauren's House

Amazing

My little boy aged 2 was accepted by Louise, Stuart and staff with open arms and always very eager to go to them every morning even when he is ill or weekends he is asking for his shoes and saying let's go. He has only been going since October and I can see a big difference in how he has developed and he is always singing nursery songs and counting. When I leave my child with them I know he is loved and taken care of and that they want the best for him. It is the most caring loving environment I have found and when he showed sighns of hearing loss I didn't even notice it was raised with me and turned out he was struggling with one ear and I wouldn't even have had him checking if it was not for them. Now he can get the help he needs. Thank you for all you do it does not go unnoticed x

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by Michele on 05/12/2023

Outstanding after school childcare setting

Our daughter has recently started going to Louise & Stu's after school on most days a week, due to our work commitments & the fact that the after school provision that we had previously used no longer met our requirements. They were very highly recommended to us by other parents at the same school & how lucky we were that they were able to secure a place for our daughter. She absolutely LOVES going, so much so it's often a struggle to get her out of their house, absolutely everything about their setting is just excellent & Louise, Stu & all their staff are always so very welcoming & friendly. Throughout the short time that our daughter has been there she is often to be found playing in the most brilliantly equipped garden running around, having lots of fun & the catering provision is just exceptional too - lots of new friends have been made. It's just brilliant to see the change in our daughter since she has been going. We could not recommend the setting highly enough, thank you all very much :)

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by LCP14 on 28/11/2023

The most loving and caring home

Stu and Louise have become a part of our family! We love them to bits. Their place is a home from home for our two children. My youngest started 4 years ago and is now school aged, but we are here to stay!

They do the job because they care and want the best for our children. Their staff are always warm and welcoming; their flexible approach ensures that all children are happy and thriving, no matter what their stage or ability. Children are celebrated as an individuals and fully supported and encouraged to be their best.

Louise did warn us when we first met that they will love our children. It's true... they do!

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by Sarah on 27/11/2023

Amazing

Both our kids absolutely love going. They pretty much run through the door before it is open!

We couldn't recommend the setting anymore, whenever we have family/friends they are always the first place we suggest. When our eldest started around 8/9 months old and as new parents post-covid, Louise and Stu (+ the team) were always very supportive and professional. We wouldn't have sent our youngest anywhere else, our minds are always at ease. If anything comes up from either side it is always communicated quickly/responded to within a quick timeframe. We're also grateful for the time taken to debrief at pick ups for meals/nap times/generally what they've been up to etc (this is not always a given at all settings), the whole team are very attentive and it shows they truly take the time to fully understand the kids they care for. As a parent of a shy child who sometimes can take time with confidence, I have the pleasure of seeing how much they have helped with confidence and continue to help the kids progress from all aspects.

I could say much more but generally the setting is perfect, from educational to comfortable. It is the perfect combination.

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by Rochelle on 26/10/2023

Amazing place, amazing people

My two kids (older girl, younger boy) have been going to Lauren’s house since 2020 and what an amazing, wonderful place it is. I’m going to be so sad to see them leave.

When my daughter came she had plenty of additional needs and my son was very young. Stu, Louise and the rest of the childminders were pivotal in their development and I can safely say that now, largely thanks to them, they have had the best start possible and are really set up for pre-school settings. Evie’s needs are now un-noticeable and I put a lot of that down to the amazing experience and devotion we witness on a daily basis.

They are attentive to all needs, caring, passionate, but most of all just lovely, beautiful people who just want your kids to do and be the best they can be.

They have a wonderful house with everything any kid could ever need. No one is left out and everyone is safe and feels welcome all the time.

We were always updated with goings on and they keep a close eye on everything, knowing every child as they, do they will be very quick to tell you if they think your child maybe poorly, or maybe struggling with something. Always contactable and always a very quick response.

Also great at catering for dietary requirements (my daughter couldn’t have cheese, chocolate or citrus, never had any issues)

My daughter is now in reception and my son goes once a week (as he is at pre-school, he would miss it too much if he stopped completely) but for the last few years they have been pretty full time and they have loved every minute.

As you can tell from this review, I can’t recommend them highly enough, we are eternally grateful for everything they have done for our kids (and us).

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by David on 24/10/2023

Cannot recommend highly enough

My daughter has been with Louise and Stu since she was 9 months old, almost a year now and I could not ask for a more wonderful home from home environment for her. She is treated like a member of the family and can’t get in their fast enough every morning. I feel grateful every day that I can leave both her and my son (who goes after school) in such a safe and loving environment. From what I have seen Louise and the other staff care deeply for all the children who all seem so happy to be there. Cannot recommend them highly enough.

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by Susan on 24/10/2023

Homely and loving environment for all kids

Our son is 20 months old and has been cared for by Louise, Stuart and their team every week day from 9am to 5.30pm since he was 9 months old and we are so grateful to have found them. From day one they have been providing exceptional care for our son.
Every morning our son is very excited to put his shoes on to go spend the day at Lauren’s house. When we pick him up, he loves to show us the books and the toys that he plays with. Pick up time can be busy but the team always makes time to tell us how he did during the day - how long he slept, things he enjoyed or didn’t and how he behaved with other children.
He has learn so many skills with them such as walking, eating with a spoon, tasting different types of food, saying many words, going up and down a slide by himself, singing, interest for books & craft, playing football, making friends, saying “thank you” and built strong relationships with the members of the team.
I love the fact that they have a large outdoor space with many activities for the kids (trampoline, forest school, sandpit, several slides, football cage etc) and our son can go outside almost every day unless the weather is really bad. Also Stuart and Louise are always thinking about adding new toys / activities and optimising the place for the children. The children are definitely their number one priority and they go above and beyond for them.

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by Alicetav on 24/10/2023

Home from home

I feel so lucky to have found Louise and Stu’s setting for my son. It is such a unique set up having the benefits of a nursery type setting (amazing space and professional and knowledgeable staff) and yet feeling like a home (beautiful home cooked food, a small team who really know my child). There is so much love and genuine care in their setting it is incredibly reassuring as a full time working mum that I have zero worries when I drop my son off.

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by Sally on 24/10/2023

Wonderful care and happy times!

I feel so lucky to have found Stuart and Louise! My 2 children attend after school care with them and the team, and I couldn’t be happier. They are absolutely brilliant! My son has sen and really struggles with the world at times- but he has built great relationships with all the staff, and chatters all weekend about them! I can tell he feels safe, well looked after, and genuinely cared for- as does my daughter. It is joy to turn up at collection time- as you walk down the drive, all you can hear children laughing, playing and having fun. It’s a happy, vibrant and nurturing provision- I love it!

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by sunshine on 24/10/2023