Karen began childminding our daughter, E (20 months), part- time from the beginning of this year (2013) and we currently have extended our contact to continue the arrangement for the foreseeable future. Karen was recommended to me by a local childminder and the local Children’s Centre I used to visit regularly. I wanted E to have a home- setting.

The decision to return to work, as E turned 15 months, was not made lightly, however being a military family living away from immediate family and friends, we decided it was in the best interest for E and myself to have a little time to let E’s confidence grow and reduce the clinginess she had been displaying to ‘mummy’.

When I first met Karen I knew instantly from her friendly persona and professional manner that she was exactly what I wanted from E’s childminder. Her love and passion for children is clearly much more to her than just a job, and I could automatically envision entrusting E into her capable hands. Karen understood the importance of the settling in period which made leaving E a lot easier. Karen worked closely together with my husband and I, to ease E into her care gently. Knowing E was settled in her childcare before returning to work made the situation much less stressful.

Karen creates a safe, happy and stimulating environment using creative ideas and sensory play to engage the children in new learning experiences. She is flexible in her routines and the activities she chooses depend on the mood of the children. Various activities are open for the children to choose without pressure. E particularly loves playing with farm animals in cornflakes or shredded green paper and has recently been enjoying Karen’s outdoor playhouse with various water activities! Karen is keen to listen to what E likes to do at home so she can design activities suited to her interests. Karen regularly visits the local tots group and Children Centre which gives the children in her care the social interaction they need. She also has good connections with other local childminders which gives the children alternative children to play with. E particularly enjoys their ‘Breakfast Club’ where the children enjoy healthy snacks together whilst table manners are encouraged.

I have always found Karen to be excited and enthusiastic in my daughters learning journey, communication is excellent at the end of a session and I feel really involved in knowing what she has been up to while I’ve been at work. I look forward to hearing her experiences of the day and how she’s behaved and interacted with others, as well as reading her daily comments book. E will greet and leave Karen with a smile beaming on her face which shows to me she loves being in her care. Karen is always happy to discuss concerns and offers unbiased advice where needed, this has been a real support.
Karen is consistent with behaviour management and will follow the techniques used at home and offer ideas for new techniques to use. Karen has managed to overcome issues as they arise such as trouble sharing and tantrums etc. We have worked together to bounce ideas off each other to promote positive behaviour which are important to use at home. Karen has been great with E during times of teething or when she has been under the weather, offering her the comfort she has needed and I am confident that she can administer medication following all the correct procedures and completing the necessary records to ensure her health and safety.

During her time with Karen, E’s confidence is growing and I am truly thankful for the amazing start that Karen is giving her. When E first joined Karen, just 7 months ago, she would be nervous of entering a room of unfamiliar faces and cried if a child would walk past her. She has now been making sound relationships with children from other local childminders and has become a very sociable little girl. Karen has also made a great start with teaching colours/ shapes/ animals and body parts through play, she has the ability to turn recycled materials into learning opportunities!

I would highly recommend Karen as a childminder as she’s one in a million! Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding Karen as a childcare professional.