I have two lively sons, and both have attended Syeda’s setting. I often say that if I ever have a third child, they’ll be going there too! My first son started with her at around 17 months old and settled in immediately. This was such a relief, as he had previously attended a nursery where he cried at both drop-off and pick-up every single day for six months. I knew he needed a different environment. My second son started at the age of one and also settled in wonderfully.

Syeda runs an outstanding setting that is both nurturing and structured. She encourages the children to join in with activities such as messy play and reading, and she takes them into the garden every day—which is always a highlight for my boys. In the summer, she organises day trips, including a memorable visit to London Zoo this year. She even arranges an annual Sports Day with a variety of games, which the children absolutely love.

What truly sets Syeda apart is her ability to tune in to the needs of each child. She is attentive and responsive, always adapting to support them. She was, in fact, one of the first people to notice that my eldest was drinking an unusual amount of water, which led to his Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Not only did she raise this concern, but she also went on to complete the necessary hospital training so she could continue caring for him safely. This level of dedication and commitment is something I will always be grateful for, especially since we have no family nearby.

It is safe to say that my children see Syeda as family. Now aged four and two, I often hear them chatting excitedly about going to her house and planning which games they’ll play there. On one occasion, my two-year-old said he didn’t want to go (as toddlers sometimes do), but my four-year-old quickly corrected him: “You should go, because Syeda is kind and she’s good to us.” I can’t think of a better review than that—from the children themselves.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication