Hannah

Disappointing experience

We were initially very pleased with Catherine and found her to be warm and inviting. However, over time we began to develop concerns about the care being provided. While we considered raising these concerns directly with Catherine, we were hesitant to do so at the time as our daughter was still in her care, and we did not want to risk this impacting her experience.

We had previously left a positive Google review in June, as we were genuinely pleased at the start and hoped this would help further engage the service — unfortunately, this did not happen.

Over the following months, we received no evidence of activities or engagement. We even provided Easter arts and crafts materials in the hope that they might be used with our daughter, but nothing was ever shared with us in return. We also began to have safeguarding concerns and noticed that Catherine experienced a high level of illness, which affected the continuity of care.

During the seven months our daughter attended, she went on only one outing (that we are aware of), despite there being several facilities within walking distance. We received just an handful of images in total and only one craft item, which appeared to have been made primarily by an adult. This was disappointing and did not reflect the level of engagement we had expected.

We hope Catherine finds this feedback useful and that it helps to encourage positive changes in the future.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Hannah about Cat (Childminder) on 21/10/2025

Response by Cat on 21/10/2025:

Dear Hannah,

As I have advised you on your other negative reviews across another platforms, this information is factually incorrect and missing valid content.

No concerns were ever raised with me throughout the 7 months of care provided to your lovely daughter, and your attitude towards myself and my provision swiftly changed after I was unable to provide an additional week of care during your notice period due to being rushed into hospital and kept in for 5 days. It soured furthermore due to me having to chase you for late payment (the 5th time in 7 months) which resulted in the issuing of a 'Letter Before Action'.

You have stated in your review that the level of care provided was of concern to you from June, however I would question why you continued to send your daughter to my provision for a further 2 months before giving in your notice, and in addition, request to extend your notice period for extra care?

Feedback and updates were provided daily upon collection, as they are with all families on my register, with details of the activities we had done during the day and whilst I acknowledge that you very kindly donated arts and craft materials for my setting, unfortunately they were not age appropriate for the children to use, therefore they would not have been used in the items that were created by your daughter and sent home.

The safeguarding concerns that you refer to, and have detailed on other platforms, have been forwarded to the relevant body and has been confirmed to be of no safeguarding issue in any capacity, and has no substance. The fact that you find it strange for my husband to be present in his own home and that he answers his own front door is nonsensical at best.

Whilst I am obviously saddened by the way our relationship ended, I do still wish your daughter the very best for the future as she was a delightful child to care for.