Carmel

Amazing and nurturing childcare

I can't recommend Carmel highly enough. Both my children spent time in her setting from age 1 to going to nursery school aged 3, and then occasional times after that as we all missed Carmel! She is the most wonderful childminder, caring, dedicated and highly knowledgeable about children's developmental milestones. I always felt completely confident in her and I know both my children loved their time with her and benefited enormously from her nurturing and engaging setting. Carmel created beautiful scrapbooks of the children's time with her that we still love to look through. At one point my daughter asked about a friend "does she have a Carmel?" meaning does she have a childminder - we wish that all children could have our Carmel! We will always be grateful to Carmel for the huge and valuable contribution she made to our children's early years.

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by Kath on 12/01/2026

Brilliant childminder - feels more like family!

Carmel is a warm, fun and caring childminder to our children. We are very grateful to her.

She started with our eldest when he was 2.5 years (he's now in Year 1). He had not enjoyed his time in nursery but from the first day with Carmel he was happy and quickly developed a close bond with her. We're lucky that our second is now with her and has beem for 1.5 years.

Something we really appreciate is that the children get to do all sorts of things with her, both inside her home and out and about. Taking the bus to Children's Groups, Library, Museums, Soft Play, City Farms, The Local Community Garden (Allotments), Parks, etc. This was a massive plus for us since our experience of Nursery was that children stay in the same place most of the time.

Her home set up is great, she cooks with the kids, does arts and crafts and has plenty of toys and games to keep the children engaged. She has helped our children potty train and get introduced to phonics and numbers.

Carmel feels more like family than anything else, which is a lovely thing for nursery aged children - they need a safe and caring place.

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by Xavier on 11/01/2026

A wonderful 4+ years with Carmel!

We had both our children in Carmel's care from 2021 onwards. Her setting is wonderful; an absolutely ideal space for creativity, imaginative play, messy play, and quiet moments too. Carmel goes above and beyond to accommodate the children's needs, even installing a private area for younger children to use the potty!

Our children were so happy here that they would often ask to see Carmel on weekends and days when they weren't due to be there. A testament to the relationships she built with them. Our eldest child still adores her, despite having left her setting nearly 2 years ago (only to attend school).

Carmel communicated well throughout the day with updates and pictures. She would make necessary accommodations for the needs of the children, and would work alongside us when changes were needed or if we had concerns about anything. She is very knowledgeable and understands that children are all unique and need different approaches to things.

If we were to have another child, there would be no question that we would want Carmel to look after them. She has been like a second mum to them and we've never been more sure that our children are safe and well looked after in her care.

They learned so much from her, they were always out doing some kind of activity, whether it be at children's groups, at the allotment nearby, at the park or going on adventures further a field such as museums, soft play, or outside water play areas in the summer.

Carmel has helped our children become confident, inquisitive, and caring little people and we will be forever grateful for her. We could not recommend her more highly.

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by Alex on 11/01/2026

Best childminder I could of ever had!

My son started with Carmel from 10months of age up until he was ready for nursery! If I could have kept my son with Carmel forever, I would have.
I was extremely nervous as a 1st time mum to leave my son with anyone & childminders I met previously, I was not comfortable with. Until
I met Carmel. Carmel loved, cared and educated my son like he was her own. He learnt so much in the 4years he was with her. She taught him so much about himself and life in general. She allowed him to be himself and catered to all needs. The life experiences she gave them & the way they learnt through play was astonishing. Carmel’s set up was impeccable. Everything was clear and organised well right down to all policies. I looked forward to learning books that came home showcasing all he had done. He hit all milestones because of Carmel & she prepared him well for big school.
My son was happy & safe and I would recommended Carmel to anyone I knew/know who needs/needed a childminder as they would not find better.
Thank you Carmel for all you did for our family xxx

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by Princess on 05/01/2026

Wonderful childminder

Carmel was a fantastic minder for my daughter and a brilliant support for me. My daughter learned so much with Carmel and always came home calm and happy, well fed and content. I an not recommend Carmel enough.

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by Hannah on 05/01/2026