Testimonials

"A wonderful childminder

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Clara cared for our daughter for nearly three years, from 10 months to 3.5 years old. Our experience was extremely positive and I would 100% recommend Clara. We found her to be nurturing, supportive, creative and dedicated. Our daughter loved going to Clara's house and was always very settled and happy in the setting. Clara supported Rae (and us) as we navigated teething, nap transitions, behavioural development and everything in between. We found Clara to be diligent, great at communicating and totally reliable. A truly wonderful childminder. "

Jen Wake 01/11/2021

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"A fantastic childminder

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Clara has had both our boys...eldest is now 4 and has been with Clara since he was 9 months old, our youngest who is nearly two has been with Clara since he was 9 months old and will be with her for a good while yet.

My boys go into Clara's home and barely look back because they are so happy and well cared for when they are there. They are treated with kindness and given plenty of experiences for learning, developing socially, educationally and emotionally while having fun.

They both love her.

It is daunting finding someone you trust to care for your children but with Clara we have felt completely at ease. Clara keeps in excellent contact with us, she feeds them well with nutritious food, plans fun and educational activities and is completely reliable. This is so important for us as we are working.

We feel so lucky to have had such a wonderful childcare experience for our boys and we are so grateful for the care they get with Clara. Her home environments is so lovely for children, they receive consistency of care ad lots of dedicated attention that would be difficult in another setting. 

I honestly couldn't recommend Clara more highly. "

KBees 01/04/2021

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"Fantastic

Clara is a great childminder. My little girl has been going to her since she was 10 months old (she's just over two now) and I honestly felt comfortable returning to work knowing that Clara would be looking after her.

Each child gets dedicated care and attention in Clara's homely setting. It feels like Maeve is one of the family when I drop her off and pick her up.

The communication is brilliant, I get text and picture updates throughout the day and Clara always responds if you have a question. Plus Clara is very flexible with adapting to me work schedule.

Clara is very supportive and knowledgeable in early years education. The daily activities for the childre are always fun and caried plus they often go out for park and beach adventures. My little girl loves singing nursery rhymes with Clara and has learnt so much since attending the setting.

I would highly recommend Clara as a childminder, I feel very lucky that I found such a safe, fun and nurturing setting for Maeve."

Ruby 01/04/2021

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"Home from home

My daughter was born just before the first lockdown and was very attached and I was worried about transition to a childcare setting- I shouldn't have been. Clara was brilliant with easing my under one into her care. She has excellent communication skills so I can see what Aida has been up to that day and it's lovely to see photos of your child happily playing and enjoying so many enriching experiences.

Aida has come on leaps and bounds in her social skills and speech and is so eager to give things a go and we credit this to the care and support she receives with Clara. The days are always busy full of learning and playing and we couldn't recommend Clara highly enough."

VickyT 31/03/2021

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"Professional and loving

My daughter Eleanor started with Clara when she was one. 

As a first time mum I was nervous and anxious about leaving Eleanor, but Clara's home is so warm with a real comfortable feel to it that these feelings quickly disappeared. Clara is very professional and you instantly know that she loves what she does and is very passionate about it. 

I wanted Eleanor to have structure to her day in an environment that stimulated her learning, which Clara provided. Any are of learning started at home would be reinforced by Clara which really helped Eleanor to grasp new concepts.

Lovely lady and so sad to be leaving her."

Hayley 15/07/2020

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"Excellent childminder

My daughter has been with Clara for a year now since she was two and absolutely loves it! She goes to Clara's house one day a week and does lots of different activities including going to playgroups and the library. Clara is always thinking of different ways to make my daughter feel happy and content whilst in her care. She makes her delicious lunches and they play lots of games and arts and crafts. My daughter gets on so well with Clara's daughters and they all play together when they come home from school. My son will also be going to Clara's when I return to work and I would highly recommend Clara's services to anyone."

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Harriet  Nov 2011

"Brilliant!

Clara looked after my youngest child for 3 years. She is a very caring lady and treats the children that she looks after like her own. When my son had finished going to Clara's because of my job change, she made a lovely album of the time he had spent with her and her family. That is just one of the lovely things she has done."

J Hannan   (04.10.13)

Jo Hannan

"Would Highly Recommend!

I used Clara for my son's Reception Year for before and after school pick-ups. I can't recommend anyone highly enough. She is so professional, always doing really good activities with the children and just generally a really calm and fun person. My only regret is that I no longer require Clara's services. But I like to think I made a friend."

Jo (Fin's Mum, Southend)   (12.04.11)

Jo Mostovsky

"My son went to Clara four days a week form the age of 8 months until he was 4 years 8 months, just before starting school. He then went to her after school 3 days a week.
Clara is a fantastic childminder and he was treated as one of the family and felt happy and content when he was with her. He has always had a love of learning new things and Clara was brilliant at encouraging that and keeping him engage with fun activities, both at home and away from the home at various toddler groups, trips to the library, the park and the farm as well as other fun and educational places.
Clara was always kind and patient and if there were any issues she brought them to my attention at the earliest opportunity. She also kept us up to date with his progress in learning and the many milestones he reached along the way.
He made some good friends during his time with Clara and I feel that Clara was a big part in making him the kind, caring, clever boy that he has become."

Kerry Wilkes (June 2018)

"I cannot say enough positive things about Clara & the care she has given to my daughter; as a family we feel like we’ve struck gold in finding her.

 Clara is very highly qualified & professional, responsive, flexible, sensitive & a deeply nurturing childminder. She made my return to work for both my daughter & I completely stress & pain-free, even despite serious anxieties on my part about beginning the process . My daughter has visited Clara 3 days a week from 8 months old (now 2 y.o) & she is still so excited to be going to Clara’s every day – she joyfully runs straight into the house to play & I barely get a goodbye, which is great sign!

Clara is the most highly qualified childminder we could find & this is evident in her work. As a educator myself, I’ve been highly impressed with Clara’s approach to child development & learning & she has kept me well informed about my daughters progress. She is also fantastic at recommending activities to support your child’s development with, if you’re looking for any ideas for home. You get a clear sense that Clara is working to support you as a parent & your family too, which is refreshing & greatly appreciated. Ultimately it comes down to my daughter’s contentment - the fact that she is so obviously happy & settled with Clara & the other children she cares for says it all."

Kelly McDougall

"Such a wonderful environment...

is how I would sum up Clara's home. Her approach to childminding is superb. Her persona is kind, calm, warm and very jolly! Exactly what you would look for in someone who is looking after your children when you are unable to.

Clara has looked after our son on and off for the last few years. He has always enjoyed his time with Clara and we have always felt more than happy leaving out pride and joy in her care!

Her home really is a "home from home" setting; the variety of toys, books and games she has to play withe is marvellous. Clara is always keen to get out and about with the children to various groups and also during the Summer months the beach and farm etc..

Clara is a truly wonderful lady who I regularly recommend to anyone who asks me "do you know a good childminder?"

LFM

"Re - Clara McDaid

I had the absolute fortune and good luck to find Clara whilst still pregnant with my daughter (now 3 years old). She was in Clara's care for 33 hours per week and then later for 40+ since 6 months old - only leaving eventually to go to pre-school. To say she loved every minute is an understatement! Clara provided an excellent foundation for life with fun, encouragement, education and affection. My daughter thrived and flourished in her charge. We still visit regularly. I would highly recommend her as you will not find a childminder with such aptitude for the job."

Dr Speed

"Re - Clara McDaid

I was impressed by the very warm, calm and homely feeling in Clara's house. My daughter settled in very quickly and was always happy to go to Clara's. I found Clara to be a friendly, kind and caring person both to my daughter and myself.

She had a comprehensive file of certificates and policies and I had no doubt she would be an organised and qualified childminder. I would not hesitate to recommend her as a childminder to others."

Mrs K Ashworth

"To whom i may concern, re - Clara McDaid, childminder...

Clara has been my childminder for my two children aged 3 and 5 for a significantly happy and trouble-free period of time, until a change in my circumstance allowed my husband to remain at home and become their primary carer.

Right from the first time I met Clara I felt assured of her competence, skills and knowledge and her flawless organisation, combined with her warm, happy and relaxed nature. Both my children were at ease in Clara (and her husband's ) company right from the first day, which was particularly reassuring as my son fins change and new people a challenge. I was amazed how, right from the start, both children just relaxed and slotted into Clara's routine and my son, especially, re-told tales of his fun activities and outings he had during the day.

Throughout my professional (and personal) life from working within Southend's Children's Services with the 0-19 age range I have worked with , and observed, many childcare practitioners and in particular childminders. The most important and pertinent observation I have made about Clara (and why I approached Clara in the first place) is her unconditional kindness, attentiveness, safe and loving environment that she provides for all the children in her care, and what an absolutely fabulous time they have when they are there.

All said, I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Clara to any parent wishing to access her childcare services. My only problem is dealing with the children's devastation when they realise that they will no longer be in her care.

Thank you Clara, you're amazing!"

Mrs C Braun

"I am writing this to thoroughly recommend Clara's childminding service. She was considerate, flexible and very kind to our daughter. She provided healthy meals and took the children out to many parks, groups and play centres as well as provided craft and other fun experiences at home. My daughter loved going to Clara's, as did my son on the odd occasion when Clara looked after him after school."

Miss J Taylor