Here's a gushing one I did for my childminder 2 years ago now,
X has been childminding my son T (21 months) since August 2005. She looks after him for 3 days each week.
I have been extremely happy with the care T has received, and the great progress he has made whilst in X’s care. X’s home is always welcoming, clean and well organised and T has great fun playing with all the toys available and with the other children in her care. Beyond all this though, it is X’s warm and friendly but no nonsense approach which sets her apart from other childminders we have experienced.
She provides a wide, fun range of activities including plenty of outdoor exercise. I know T has recently enjoyed sand and water play, drawing and sticking, reading and puzzles as well as outings to the park, trips to feed the ducks and walks in the woods. Last week he decorated a plate to give to his Daddy for Father’s Day.
X is a great communicator and has no trouble in gaining T’s confidence and therefore encouraging good behaviour and kindness and compassion to others, both skills which are important to us at home. When T steps outside his boundaries she responds with firm but kind discipline explaining what we would like to see in terms which he understands. When he is hurt or feeling under the weather I know that he feels happy to be comforted by her and I am confident that she can administer either first aid or medication following all the correct procedures and completing the necessary records to ensure his health and safety.
Although I provide T’s food each day I know that she will provide healthy snacks such as fruit and rice cakes if he is exceptionally hungry or keen to eat what the older children are eating. I am also aware that X ensures good personal hygiene in encouraging all the children to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. I’m sure that it is this practice together with the cleanliness of X’s home which has ensured that T has remained healthy and bug free for the last 10 months.
X completes a diary detailing what T has done each day. From this I have a complete picture of his whole day including what he has eaten, how long he has slept and all his activities. This helps me to feel involved with his care and that I can talk to him about his day.
All in all I am thoroughly happy with the level of care T receives and I’m certain that being in such a positive and happy environment is helping him develop into a confident and self assured little boy.
I would absolutely recommend X as a great and reliable childminder.
Hope this helps.