Blossomingwillows

Excellent childminder, perfect setting and ethos

Nicola first began caring for my daughter; Grace in professional setting back in 2017 when she worked at a nursery. I have been extremely happy with the service I have received and the great progress Grace has made whilst under Nicola’s guidance. Nicola is a great communicator and had no trouble in encouraging good behaviour, kindness and compassion to others, both skills which are important to us at home. When Grace steps outside her boundaries Nicola responds with firm but kind discipline explaining what we would like to see in terms which she understands. When she is hurt or feeling under the weather I know that she feels happy to be comforted by Nicola. This is why when Nicola made the bold move to open up her own childminding business there was no doubt in our minds that we would be sending Grace. We all believe that the level of care we receive from Nicola as an individual, sets her apart from the other childcare providers and childminders.

Blossoming Willows has an outdoor/nature/forest school focus that was extremely important to us as a family. We love spending time in the great outdoors and wanted to continue with this ethos when Grace is being cared for. We believe that nature is something that children should be immersed in daily and learning about our natural environment. If children grow up with an affinity to nature, they are more likely to love and protect it when they are older.

The setting for Blossoming Willows reflects this. The building is a wooden cabin at the bottom of the garden that contains everything a child could dream of to learn and play. Outside there is a trampoline, mud kitchen, water table, and many more. The children often go mini beast hunting, walking in the "gruffalo woods" and using nature to create works of art.

Blossoming Willows is a small group that is enough for my child to socialise with other like-minded children whilst also receiving one-on-one time from Nicola. I truly believe it is the perfect setting for Grace to thrive.

In addition to this I know that Nicola feels very strongly about providing healthy meals and snacks, as she feels it is crucial to the children’s development. Grace enjoys all of her meals and loves telling me about what she has eaten each day.

I receive a detailed breakdown of what Grace has been up to each day, along with pictures in her diary that helps me feel involved with her care, even when I cannot be there to care for her myself. This puts me at ease, knowing that Grace is both safe, and has had such a fun-filled day. It also means that I can start a conversation with Grace about the things she has done that day and I enjoy listening to her stories about what has happened each day.

Nicola’s warm and friendly approach places each individual at the centre of personal need. It is exceedingly obvious that many other parents feel the same as I do, and that the children in her care think the world of her.

I would absolutely recommend Nicola as a great and reliable childminder.

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by Amy P on 05/01/2021

Amazing childcare

My daughter has been attending blossoming willows for the past few weeks after a delayed start due to the current covid19 situation. My daughter was due to start some time back but due to the current situation i was furloughed from work so her start date was delayed however during this time nicola has been so supportive and has done everything she can to accommodate us and support us threw this time to ensure our daughters place was secure. Nicola would also send activities over for me to do at home with my daughter so that she was still learning and would encourage me to keep on contact with her letting her know what we have been up to over the weeks she wasn't there which i really appreciate and showed me how much she cared. My daughter has now been attending blossoming willows for the past few weeks and she has had an amazing time, when she comes home she tells me about all the adventures she has been on from a nature walk to making potions in the mud kitchen, i struggled to get her away the first week she can not wait to tell me about what she has done that day. Nicola has been amazing she has made us all feel so welcome especially my daughter, we get updates on a closed facebook page with picture of what they have been up to they are amazing there is nothing better than receiving photos of your child having an amazing time whist your at work. I am so glad i chose to send my daughter to blossoming willows i couldn't be happier i fell so at ease what an amazing childminder nicola is xx

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by Jess on 05/01/2021

5* Childcare

I really wanted my little girl to attend a childcare setting for her own person development, but we didn’t want her to attend a large nursery where she may not get as much attention as she used to ( which is ALOT ), i heard about Nicola through a friend and i am so glad i contacted her. Her facilities are absolutely amazing - i cannot fault them, or her, in the slightest. The entire process was so quick and simple all the necessary paper work was sent out for me to look over in my own time and she never hurried me or rushed me into making a decision until i was ready. I am really looking forward to seeing my little girl grow with the support of nicola, and her new friends. Thank you for everything you do!

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by Alice M on 10/12/2020

Fantastic Childcare!

Nicola has been looking after our daughter now since August 2020, she always made us feel so welcome and comfortable. Due to the recent pandemic we wasn't sure if our daughter would settle as she didn't have much time socialising with other children and attending regular groups. Nicola helped her settle and made us all feel at such ease.
Nicola continues to keep us updated with her day and development by sharing pictures, writing in her daily diary and sharing information on the FB page, its so lovely to see our daughter have such a fanatic day and Blossoming Willows.
Thank you so much Nicola we can't recommend you enough!

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by Mathew on 10/12/2020