Dessy, alongside her assistant Anna, looked after my eldest daughter from the age of one until she started school a few weeks ago. She was an incredibly sensitive and attached baby, but she settled in so well and soon became a very confident, happy little girl who absolutely loved going to Dessy’s.

Dessy’s setting is amazing. She has a bright, spacious, open-plan play area filled with endless activities and educational toys, as well as a large garden with swings, slides, garden toys and a fantastic mud kitchen. The playroom opens directly onto the garden, so the children spend lots of time outside whatever the weather — even in winter, when they would be wrapped up in their snowsuits! There is also a separate, cosy sleep room for nap times.

Dessy provides a solid daily routine and always makes sure the children have plenty of different experiences. They regularly go out to the local forest, library, zoo, playgroups. She supported my daughter through potty training, encouraged her independence and helped prepare her for school through their daily ‘Dessy School’. She taught her letters and numbers and by the age of three she could confidently write her own name.

The food and snacks Dessy provides are another huge plus — everything is fresh, healthy and varied, with lots of different meals and snacks throughout the week.

My youngest daughter now also attends Dessy’s setting, having started at just 11 months old and now being two. She has had an equally brilliant experience and is so happy there, often attending five days a week.

Dessy genuinely cares deeply about the children and is completely invested in giving them the very best start in life. We trust her implicitly and feel very lucky to have found her. I couldn’t recommend her and Anna highly enough!

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication