Lizzie S

Trusted and Kind Childminder - part of our family

We have had the privilege of having two of our children grow up with Melina and are so sad to be leaving her (due to our starting school).

From the day we came to view her setting the kids cried as we were leaving and were desperate to come back as soon as possible.

We felt at ease because seeing her and how the other children interact with her is not something you can manufacture. Looking after children is truly something that Melina is gifted at and it shows in her commitment and tenacity towards the children.

My kids literally run in and jump on Melina when she opens the door! Having an unfortunately sad experience with a nursery before meeting Melina, this was so refreshing.

Melina potty trained our youngest child, we just supported the routine that Melina suggest and within 4 days she was potty trained. She really knows what she’s talking about but is also flexible enough to adapt her routine to meet the needs of each individual child. My two girls were very different but both absolutely adore Melina.

She’s honestly part of the family, so much so that the kids have never referred to her as Melina - it’s always been Aunty Melina.

Her setting is clean and very spacious. She has a dedicated outhouse for childminding and the kids love it. We get regular reports and updates and pictures daily of all the things they get up to. They go on trips together sometimes too and they LOVE a good reason to celebrate. Every festival and holiday they will come home with crafts and presents and work. It’s so lovely to see them being exposed to lots of cultures.

Bella’s speech and pattern recognition has developed massively since being with Melina. She started when she was just 8 months and now at 3.5 years old we’re so sad to be leaving.

I couldn’t recommend her highly enough.

Thank you Melina for all you have done and continue to do for the kids in your care.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Lizzie S about Melina (Childminder) on 17/07/2026

Response by Melina on 17/07/2026:

Dear Elizabeth
it was lovely to have your beautiful children, you and your family as part of our family. I am so proud witnessing and hopefully having a little share in their becoming such lovely young girls.
wish them a happy and successful life ahead.

Highest level of care in every respect.

We heard about Esther through a friend who was really impressed of her daughters development during her time with Esther. After our first meeting we where convinced, our daughter joined Esther almost a year ago at the age of 8 months! We had visited Nurseries and other minders but this being our first child we were extremely picky and scrutinised each provider and nobody had made us feel comfortable.

From the get go we were really well informed of her curriculum, daily activities, mood, nappy changes, appetite, interpersonal/physical/emotional/motor development. Basically, any thing we could be kept up to date with, we were! We genuinely feel like she is part of the family, so much so, my daughter calls her Grandma Esther and asks for her at the weekend.

There is so much for her to do, everyday she'll come home with homework or work she has made during the day. Their activities are really imaginative and they keep up to date with all the holidays, Valentines, Remembrance Day, Halloween. I love the variation of activities they do as I know she is constantly stimulated and pushed to learn. They make regular/daily use of the garden / park / library or play centres which is really reassuring to know. Esther also drives and has been really accommodating when we've needed her for urgent cover.

Esther has great facilities, I would say on par if not better than the Nurseries we have visited, she has really invested in the children's environment. Our daughter is not a fussy eater and I think it is partly to do with the variety of things Esther makes for lunch, I am always happy with the frequency of and selection of meals she has.

Esther has had a massive role to play in my child's development, and I wouldn't have it any other way. She is a kind hearted and meticulous caregiver and I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for high quality care.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Lizzie S about Esther I (Childminder) on 21/11/2019