Some feedback from parents

My daughter really enjoyed the time she spent with you during the summer holidays. There are always a wide variety of fun/learning activities on offer, she most enjoyed keeping her scrapbook updated and also learning how to make pottery on the potters wheel. She loved the day trips, swimming, farms and parks and the archeological dig!

As with my son who you currently care for it is so nice to see what they have been achieving whilst I am not there and to feel assured that they are having fun but in a safe and controlled environment, and reading all about it on the day sheets makes you feel that your not left out!

I cannot recommend Emma highly enough. My son is in infant school and I run my own business. Flexibility in care hours was key in my childcare decision making process and Emma provided this for us. She covers our school run two days a week and all of our school holidays and understands that being a working mum means you can’t always guarantee to be home on the dot of 6pm.

My son is exceptionally happy with Emma. He is stimulated and educated every day by the organised activities, he is fairly and appropriately disciplined when necessary and I would happily send him to Emma every day of the year for his meals, all daily prepared with fresh ingredients – more healthy and balanced than anything I could manage to dish up.

Emma’s organisational skills are excellent. We are provided with a monthly calendar of planned activities and menus and a daily summary of everything that my son has done during the day. I am completely confident in Emma’s skills as a childminder and know that she will continue to update and add to her qualifications and that my son will continue to benefit hugely from her professionalism.

We moved to Essex from Southampton and a great Nursery for my son (aged 4). I originally wanted to find another Nursery and was dubious of using a childminder. How wrong was I! We feel we have really struck gold with Emma.

My son is excited to go there every day. All his needs, physical, emotional, mental and educational are met and our expectations are far exceeded.

Emma is extremely well organised with monthly menus and activities. Each week has a theme, a letter and a shape or colour to concentrate on. The theme is explored extensively with cooking, arts & crafts and outings. We are given these in advance and I have them on my wall so I know what my son is up to every single day as well as what he will be eating, which always incorporates healthy eating! At the end of the day, he comes home with a detailed description (including photos) of his day. We often have pictures to put on the wall or home made cooking to try!

I and more importantly my son are completely happy and would recommend Emma with 100% conviction.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you very much for minding me son. I found your structured routine well planned and thought about. The timetable you produced helped us have interactions/conversations at home again this would help his recall/memory/vocal skills. I am completely satisfied with the level of care he received whilst being in your home. The diary idea brilliant another talking point to focus at home, it also sets out meals/times and behaviour so we can work together if there were problems. My son thoroughly enjoys getting ready to come to you and there have been several times he hasn’t wanted to leave. I would recommend you to anyone looking for a childminder.  You are very professional, polite and friendly and welcoming. So, once again thank you very much for the last 2 months.

I have known Emma for the past 5 years as a neighbour and a friend. We had our children within a few months of each other so my daughter has grown up with Emma and her family. Emma has proven herself to be a wonderful mother to her children and my daughter thoroughly enjoys spending time with them.

Emma’s house is always clean and very well organised, a real home from home environment. Emma is excellent at entertaining the children, whether it be creative play, arts and crafts, puzzles, face painting – your children will never be bored!

I would definitely recommend Emma to anyone thinking of employing a childminder and can honestly say that she would be an asset to any child’s care and education.

Our children love going to Emma’s and were not surprised the atmosphere is warm and homely and there are lots of different toys to play with. Emma provides a professional service which includes a structured day whilst adapting to the children’s age and needs. Emma also has a good balance with the food she provides, its healthy but there are also some treats. Most importantly the children respond to Emma and we strongly feel Emma is giving our children a good start before they start school. Were very very happy and so are the children.

“A day at Emma’s”- I’m 11 years old and I go to Emma’s after school. I also have a little brother who goes there too. At her house we do lots of fun things like gluing, making, playing etc. We also do quite a lot of learning there too, she helps the little ones with their numbers and letters, she helps me with my homework. Last week we made our very own puppet theatre, painted and decorated it. Sometimes we go out for the day, places like The Natural History Museum. First of all we went to look at the dinosaurs, at the end there was a big moving T-Rex. And another day we went to the park. We played there for a while and Emma took photos of us so we could put them in our scrapbooks. On our way home we picked blackberries! Then when we got home we washed them and ate them. The scrapbook is where we put all our photos to remind us of that day. I really do like it at Emma’s and I’m sure you will too!

My daughter has been happy and contented with Emma since day one. Emma has a huge variety of resources that she uses to plan fun packed activities for the children. The feedback I get on a daily basis regarding the days activities and meals is excellent. I particularly feel reassured when I see the pictures of my daughter enjoying the activity. Emma has been very supportive with my daughter while she has been toilet training. She has rewarded her and informed me of her progress. Overall, my daughter gets excited when she knows she’s going to Emma’s so I feel happy that she is happy and being well looked after.

I have been very happy and impressed by the way Emma Durrant runs her childminding business. It’s a refreshing change to collect your child and actually know exactly what they have been up to whilst you have been away, with a complete list of food eaten, sleep and activities participated in along with pictures to prove it!

Its nice to know that your child has actually participated in learning a few things through play rather than being left to get on with it!

Emma has a really good knowledge of what key stage your child is at in development and puts them through their paces accordingly in a fun and friendly environment. I haven’t come across this before even with some of the bigger nurseries I have used, which always seem to be unorganised and unaware of what your child has actually been doing whilst you are away, and because of this my son has settled in very easily.

It’s a home from home environment, and my son enjoys playing with the mountains of toys that are available to him inside and outside in the garden!!

My 3 year old daughter has always enjoyed going to Emma’s. The children are supplied with a huge range of resources and activities, all of them are interactive and most importantly fun. Emma takes the children on regular visits and outings. My daughter’s favourite being Marsh Farm

Emma has recently been particularly supportive when my daughter has been potty training. This is a real strength Emma has, the way she works with the parents towards joint goals. She has been positive and encouraging with the potty training rewarding my daughter regularly when she does well.

I always feel well informed as to the day’s events when I read and see pictures of my daughter participating in the activities. Communication and feedback from Emma is excellent.

Emma has also been flexible to do extra days looking after my daughter with little notice and this is a real benefit.

I would like to take this opportunity to advise you that I have been so impressed by the service you have provided to my two girls, who have enjoyed every visit they have spent with you. Even though the children only come to you during school holidays, its like they see you every day! As a working mum it’s paramount that I feel that when I leave my children I’m confident to be able to get on with my day….. when dropped off to you I do not have any doubt’s that the children even miss me! They are so excited about what their day will involve with you! It is fantastic the way you give parents the weekly planner – so we are able to discuss with the children what they will be doing on a daily basis – also the individual daily sheet you give at the end of the day is also fantastic. Emma you really do provide an outstanding service. Thank you.