My son Tarian attended Kerry’s Childcare full-time from age 10 months (May 2021) up until he started school (September 2024). He still attends regularly during the school holidays. Tarian was diagnosed as deaf at birth (mild loss but wears aids full-time), has had some challenges with his speech, and we are currently awaiting confirmation of an autism diagnosis.

As a single parent it is so crucial to have a trusted childminder – a place in which you can leave your child that is safe, stimulating and like a second home. This is what we have with Kerry Paul who has always treated my child as her own. I feel incredibly lucky that Tarian has been cared for by Kerry and could never have asked for better care for him in any respect, or better communication between childminder and parent. Tarian likes to follow his own lead and Kerry is brilliant in enabling space for the children to help shape (or co-make) decisions around play, food and other aspects. The effort put into educational activities and trips was outstanding and Tarian would always come home with so many stories and experiences to tell us about. He especially adores outdoor time and enjoyed so many regular trips to rivers, woods and other local attractions. He also benefitted from participating in community activities – not only library challenges and playgroups but also a regular care home scheme in which he interacted with the residents on a weekly basis. As a lockdown baby, Tarian was often fearful of strangers when he started at Kerry’s, including visits to the care home. But he made extraordinary progress and quickly developed some special relationships with residents which have lasted years.

Daily communication (Tapestry) was always detailed and exceptional (friends with children in other settings have often been amazed at how much detail I was given on a daily and weekly basis!). Both in educational and social terms, Kerry always made me aware of his next steps (PLOD) and I could see his progress. We would also always work together in discussing any developmental or behavioural concerns, and I have always valued her expertise. This often went above and beyond what might be expected of a childminder. In a very welcome and supportive manner, this felt like having another parent in Tarian’s life – someone who knew him as well as I did and wanted the best for him in all respects.

In terms of Tarian’s additional needs, Kerry’s care and inclusion has always been exceptional. Due to his autism, Tarian’s behaviour can be unpredictable and challenging, but Kerry has always managed to both accommodate and deal with this in positive and effective ways. This has included his issues around food, and what he was willing to eat at Kerry’s often astonished me. In addition, not only did she purchase specific toys and resources which have helped Tarian to develop a positive deaf identity (e.g a doll with hearing aids that was played with by all the children), but she also acquired books about being deaf at school and dealing with difference. Tarian had speech therapy from age 3 and Kerry has been involved in supporting him with speech, whilst also hosting appointments with the speech therapist (as he engaged better with the sessions there). She was also fully involved in working on his speech in terms of the strategies we were given.

Tarian continues to love going to Kerry’s childcare and connecting with the children he has made lovely friendships with. I only wish he could have stayed there longer (he is young in the school year) to benefit further from the remarkable care and support we have been lucky to have access to.

Professor Su Holmes, February 2026.

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