Laura

Safe, Fun and Nurturing Environment for children

We are so grateful to have found Srini. She has looked after both our boys for 6 and 4 years respectively and has been absolutely wonderful. From the very beginning, she made them feel safe, happy, and excited to spend time with her.
Our son started at Srini around the age of 18 months. Prior to that, he was attending a local nursery one day a week (paid full day, as per their requirements but stayed for about 4 h). We did this because he would have gain automatic place in the next stage nursery which was fully booked. It had outstanding reviews and was oversubscribed. Although, there is no need to talk about the nursery, I think it is important to get the whole picture, as it wasn’t in our intention to find a childminder. Needless to say that the things didn’t go great at the outstanding nursery. I used to drop him to nursery on Friday at 10 in perfect health, collected him at 15:00 poorly, cold, dirty and upset with 4 wet and dirty changes (already), still wet and dirty, hungry and tired. He was allowed to play by himself outside with cold water in the winter unsupervised. He would be unwell for the whole week and sometimes for 10 days after. So, in a month he would attend about 2 half days. Work was impossible and communication with the young staff at the nursery was one way. Funnily enough, on the last day one person (she looked about 16 to me) asked me to explain the mark on my son’s bum (implying some wrong doings in my household). It was a birth mark that they did not notice in the 6 months my son attended (on and off). I felt helpless. I was furious and should have been more vocal about my complains, but it was in vain.
In my long research, (while in bed with my always unwell son, with temperature or cough), I found Srini within less than mile to me. I begged her to give us a chance, since she was full at the time. Soon enough a place was available. I did explain that George gets sick all the time and that we see a doctor about twice a month. We started gradually from one day per week to at some point full time. And OMG, I got my life back.
From day one, my son was fine. The following day, he pushed by me and went inside. I had mixed feelings. How the same child that was continuously unwell was doing amazingly? Srini is not just a childminder. She has experience, she cares about her children and parents alike. She cooks for them (seriously, no need for soggy packed lunches). Can I say that my son went from strength to strength. Communication amazing. George came out of his shell. She sent me videos of him singing on the microphone. She always celebrated their birthdays.
She took my children: bowling, zoo, trick or treat. She is amazing and is the picture of patience. I learnt so much from her. We all love her and wish she will be there forever to support our community. She can teach a thing or two about caring for children. She even throws pool parties for the kids in the summer. How cool is that? The kids learnt manners, songs, nevertheless to have fun and to enjoy a cup of tea and biscuits 😊
Srini provides a nurturing and caring environment while also encouraging learning and play. The boys always came home full of stories about the fun activities they’d done, and it was clear they were thriving under her care.
What we especially appreciated was and is her attention to details, her flexibility, great communication, healthy meals, creative activities, patience. It really gave us peace of mind knowing our children were so well looked after. Did she take care of them? 100% I always collected them in good health, good spirits and full of beans and amazingly clean.
We couldn’t recommend Srini more highly — she is truly wonderful, and we feel very lucky to have had her care for our children. She is an important member of the Loughton community. Every experienced teacher and parent in the area knows and respect her. Does she deserve a 5 star rating? 6 will do her justice, but then again, we need to follow the rules.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Laura about Srini (Childminder) on 29/09/2025