Happy Days

Very happy daughter

Our daughter has been with Bernadette for 2 years and is very content and happy (3 full days a week, from 10 months old).
We picked a childminder over nursery because we wanted a home-from-home experience, full of happiness, fun and love. They do lots of mini trips out, arts and crafts, baking. And we love how her family embrace our daughter.
We noticed her language hugely improve from just being with B for a month, along with mannerisms, such as setting the table, politeness etc etc
We have busy demanding jobs and don’t ever worry about leaving her, even when she was small - drop off was never a worry or anxious, as I knew she loved it. So much so that she doesn’t look back!
Our second ‘unborn’ child is already signed up to be with B also.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Susielil about Happy Days on 26/09/2023

The kindest and most caring childminder

Our daughter started with Bernadette when she was 10 months old and I knew very quickly that it was the perfect setting for her. She settled in so fast (much to my amazement!) and always greets me with a huge smile at the end of the day.

Bernadette is absolutely brilliant, she is so kind and loving to the children in her care and my daughter adores her. She has a lovely family herself and my daughter loves playing with her sons when they return from school. She sets up activities for the children every day and takes them outside daily. Bernadette is really flexible, taking our baby on additional days without much notice and she also will baby sit in the evenings. Our daughter is vegetarian and Bernadette has catered to that with no issue, infact I’m constantly amazed by the number of new foods and meals Bernadette prepares for her- all of which she munches down and finishes!

Bernadette gives great updates every day with a full run down of what the she has been doing, eating etc. She also sends photos and videos which we love to see. We love that Bernadette sets up activities and ensures children of all ages can participate - we have some lovely arts and crafts that our daughter has made (all under the age of 1!).

Our family are moving abroad soon and we are beyond sad to leave Bernadette. I could not recommend her highly enough so I strongly encourage anyone to grab a place with her if you get the opportunity!

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by RBL about Happy Days on 21/11/2022

Fantastic child minder and family

Hello all,

I highly highly recommend Bernadette as a childminder.

My child started to go to Bernadette in June 2021 when she was 9 months.
As she is my first child; I spent a long time look for a childminder reading reviews and looking for recommendations from people in work etc!

I was really nervous about the process as my daughter had not been around other children and people in general due to the lock down.
I arranged to see Bernadette and within minutes I just knew she was the right person.
My daughter warmed to her immediately and so did I.
She really made us feel at ease and was so welcoming and friendly.
This was before I met her husband and her children who are are just so lovely and kind.

Bernadette is a really experienced childminder and mother of 3 lovely boys.
As a first time mother I really valued her guidance and advice which often provided me with so much reassurance. She was always really encouraging when I was feeling frazzled and just really gave me a boost when dropping off and collecting my daughter.

Bernadette's setting is very well organised and she has everything a child could need!
She is near a park and my daughter had regular access to the outdoors which was really important to me.
Bernadette really listened to my preferences as a parent and also checked in with me about what she was planning etc. Her communication is excellent and she sends pictures and an overview of the day; food , naps, nappies which was really useful.
Bernadette is really active in terms of activities ; doing lots of arts , crafts, story time , going outdoors and other games. It really is a fun setting for children and my daughter was so happy there.

The setting is very much like a family environment, her partner and children get involved in the childminding also and were all so brilliant with my daughter.
I noticed my daughter had been reacting negatively towards men which I explained to Bernadette and by the end of the first day she was best friends with Bernadette's partner and her youngest son.
They all formed such a lovely bond with her , it was so heart-warming.
I often saw the interactions between which was just so amazing and genuine.

Each morning Bernadette opened the door my daughters face would light up, she was so happy to be there and never cried when I was leaving and I think she would have happily stayed there when I went to pick her up!
I did not have any concerns about my daughter being there and she barely entered my mind when I was in work so I was able to completely focus on my job as I just felt so reassured. It really felt like I was leaving her with a family member.
Bernadette provided food which was varied and healthy which included snacks during the day.
She was also open to my daughter's preferences and anything I asked was never a problem.
Bernadette is just so approachable and kind.

Bernadette has a genuine love for children and she really treats the children like her family. She has had people in her care for years and when she talked about them moving onto to school I could see how attached she was to the children, it was amazing to see someone with such passionate and genuine care.

I have now moved to Ireland and that is the only reason that my daughter is no longer attending Happy days.
The process of the move was a little bit complicated and at times overwhelming.
Bernadette and her family were so kind and amazing during this time as life was chaotic for me.
Bernadette was really flexible with me during a difficult time and I will never the kindness she has shown to me and my daughter.
During the time that my daughter attended Bernadette's childcare I was able to return to work and complete a masters which I thought was really not possible and had planned to ask for an extension, however Bernadette was so encouraging and not only showed care to my daughter but also to me. I was so delighted to achieve this and could not have done it without her and her family.

During the time with Bernadette my daughter really progressed in terms of development , she quickly got the hang of walking and is so good at socialising with others. What really impressed me is that my daughter really shares with other children which is such a lovely character that no doubt Bernadette has thought the other children.
When dropping and collecting my daughter I often met the other children arriving who interacted with my daughter so well and I could see they were also really happy to be there.

As a family we were so impressed with Bernadette and her family ; we had considered staying.
We know we found someone really special in Bernadette and feel so lucky that my daughter had such a good start in life.

Also her rates are so reasonable and she is really fair when it comes to charging.

My daughter and I miss the family so much and really really grateful for everything. x

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by mollyluc about Happy Days on 21/01/2022

Excellent Childminder

We are so happy to have found Bernadette, I literally do not know what we would do without her. She currently looks after our son for the full day and drops our daughter to school. At drop off time in the morning, my children run up to Bernadette's house as they cant wait to get in.
Bernadette is very supportive, and helps out additionally when possible, even babysitting for us in the evenings. She has taken the children on days out to the beach which they love and is always taking them to the local parks and playgrounds.

My son, Harry, has learnt so much since he has been there, and although he regularly keeps them on their toes, he is disciplined in a structured manner. They have seasonal art work displays which are amazing and I love getting a hand or foot painting at pick up. Harry is fed well, and always enjoys the food that is provided, he gets so much more variety at Bernadette's than he does at home!

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Alix about Happy Days on 20/03/2019

Thank you so much

Our daughter, Leonie, visited Bernadette's setting since she was 7 month old, 5 days a week.

We have been extremely happy with the care Leonie received. Like every first time parent we were worried to leave our child with somebody else. But our worry was put to rest during the first settling in day, when Leonie enjoyed Bernadette's company straight away and she was relaxed when held by her. Every since their had chemistry and Bernadette gained our daughter's trust and confidence. Leonie developed good behaviour and kindness.

Bernadette's home has always been welcoming, warm and friendly. Every day offers a new adventure and activity with lots of toys, themed crafting, outdoor play or outings.

When Leonie did not feel well, we knew she would be comforted by the warmth and love from Bernadette. Bernadette was always willing to administer any homeopathic remedies or medication required.

Unfortunately due to the financial aspect we decided to put Leonie, now 3.5 years old, full time in a nursery. We feel lucky to have found Bernadette to look after our daughter as we were able to get on with our day in the knowledge that our daughter was in safe hand.

Thank you so so much from bottom of our heart, we really appreciate your work and help.

We will miss you and your family.

• Overall
• Setting
• Cleanliness
• Food
• Communication

by Jojo about Happy Days on 19/08/2018