Steffie looked after Lidia from the age of 13 to 19 months. During this period, both my partner and I were working from home most of the time, and this stage coincided with what is often a peak period for attachment. Any parent can imagine the challenges that this can bring.
Steffie joined our family with an open mind and consistently went the extra mile to do what was best for Lidia while respecting and supporting our parenting approach. She showed great flexibility and understanding, always working with us rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all solution.
As we do not have family in Edinburgh, Lidia had very little experience being cared for by others. Nevertheless, Steffie managed to build a wonderful relationship with her, and Lidia was always genuinely happy to see her in the mornings.
We are temporarily moving abroad, which means Steffie will not be looking after Lidia for a while. However, we very much hope that we will be able to work with her again when we return.
What I appreciated most about Steffie is her recognition that there is no universally "right" approach to caring for babies. Instead, she understands (and puts into practice) that good childcare is something that develops over time through getting to know the individual child, understanding their specific needs, and working closely with parents. This thoughtful and collaborative attitude has made her an invaluable part of our family, and I would strongly recommend her.