During 2024 and first half 2025, Victoria has looked after our little boy for approximately 18 months from aged 1 to 2.5.

We were drawn to her matter of fact approach, kind nature and obvious years of experience. Our son who usually takes time to warm to people immediately felt comfortable with her when they first met and she is one of the few people who we would trust to look after him overnight.

It was a bonus for us to know that she has her own child who became a playmate for our son. Her little girl is sweet, kind and gentle and a good role model - our boy loves playing with her. They are not together all the time as her little girl is at preschool so our son still gets a lot of one on one attention.

She has managed to build a good routine with our son, overcoming a strong attachment to Mum, a strong resistance to napping as well as him being unwell fairly regularly. They have a lovely bond and he asks to see her & her daughter regularly - something he rarely does outside of family members.

Now that he is older, she has helped with starting potty training as well as prompting good behaviour towards our baby #2. When baby #2 was born, she was on standby for emergency to look after #1 and she extended her hours whilst we were in hospital. She has subsequently looked after our newborn baby (5 months) separately on several occasions.

She has been extremely flexible and accommodating in our requests / schedule which has changed over time. She takes him to various play groups and drop in sessions, does some creative sessions and cooking at home. In addition, she has helped with packed lunches and home cooked food for him which has helped to take a weight off our minds.

She has involved our little one in her family and daughter’s school events which he has really enjoyed and is appreciated as we do not have any close family nearby.

We are sad to part ways and would wholeheartedly recommend her to a future family.

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