As Parents of a five year old little girl mindee, we feel that Helen Corbett's Little Angels Childminding Service is a really great environment to send our child to. We know this to be true by Lauren's excitement and real enjoyment at being at Helen's on the days she attends. Helen has taken Lauren as a mindee since the age of three, simultaneous with her start at preschool and we found that the opportunities to demonstrate 'creative play', develop any artistic flair or any inquisitive nature has been nurtured greatly by Helen's childminding skills and her awareness of our child's needs. At Helen's Little Angels, from the age of three, Lauren quickly developed social and communication skills and confidence ahead of her age, that was noted by her preschool teacher. Now at the age of five, at Helen's Little Angels, Lauren practices her reading with the older child, is freely allowed to develop her writing and drawing skills as well as developing her 'caring and sharing' side to her character by Helen's active encouragement to take an interest and to take care of the younger mindees - all of which Lauren loves immensely. From our point of view, as new comers to childminding, in the early years Helen kept a daily diary of Lauren which provided us with a much needed insight to what Lauren did whilst we were not there. This 'dairy service' really made us parents feel part of it all and we really thank Helen for this account of her early years.

Cindy & Milo Paris-Jones - February 2009

Helen has been taking care of my daughter (who is approaching 2 years), since she was 8 weeks old – both day and night care, and I use the words “taking care” deliberately, as to differentiate from merely “looking after”. During this 2 year period, both Helen and her family have become part of our core network of friends and family, and without her, myself, my husbands and my daughters lives would be less enriched.

As my first (and only) child, Tabitha’s welfare is paramount to me, and over the course of the last 2 years, I have deliberated (with my husband and immediate family), about what the most appropriate care for her might be as I continue to work full time. However, although we have investigated other Childminders: a necessity when Helen fell pregnant in 2008*, and private Nursery care (some as part of Independent schools we have enrolled Tabitha for); we still feel very strongly that staying in Helen’s is the best option for our daughter. Reasons for this include:

• Consistency of care

• Attention to Tabitha’s emotional needs

• Attention to Tabitha’s educational needs

• Integration with Tabitha and other children: both in the home and externally

• Detailed and consistent communication: both written and verbal

• Flexibility and attention to Tabitha’s individual needs within the context of other mindees

We have now made the decision to leave Tabitha in Helen's care until her 3rd birthday, when we are hoping to send her to a Nursery affiliated to our local Independent school. However, we are also hopeful that even at this stage; we can continue our families successful relationship with Helen, in terms of after school and/or ad-hoc child care.

*in fact I made a decision in May 2008 to resign from my full time job to cover Helen’s maternity leave to ensure that Tabitha could return to her after the 12 week period.

Susie Brown - February 2009

Flexibility by having Helen/Childminder I don't feel pressured on the time keeping. This is key for me as like many mums I am constantly running around. Dropping Jana off either early late or picking her up early late is not a problem. This makes me less stressed and obviously a better and calmer environment for Jana.

Communication - when I pick Jana up we spend a good 10 minutes talking about the day Jana has had. This gives me reassurance but also allows us both to decide what Jana needs whether it is discussing meals, toys, education or discipline.

Variety - by having different ages of children Jana has the advantage to learn from these children. She can have very active days with much stimulation with Helen supervising this.

Continuity of care - Jana has built a bond with Helen. This gives me reassurance that she is happy and well cared for.

For me without a doubt childminding works for my lifestyle. I have nothing against nurseries but you would not get the same level of one to one time as I do with Helen. Having the one to one time and discussing Jana on a daily basis is a big positive for me. It makes me relax during the day and allows me to do the work I need to do knowing what Jana is also doing during the day.

Diane Wilson - February 2009