“We chose KidStart because we wanted our only child, then aged two, to be looked after in a home environment rather than at a child-care centre. He’s now four. His Caregiver is fantastic.”

“We’re impressed with the quality of care and learning and with the role of the Visiting Teacher, who as well as helping develop a learning programme to meet our son’s needs, encourages and builds on his Caregiver’s role as a Caregiver/teacher.”

“Our son’s Caregiver is great. She does a lot with the children; activities such as painting and music, regular outings to the local KidStart playgroup and to the library. And our son, who is an only child, really enjoys the company of the two other children his Caregiver looks after.”

“We’re really impressed at how KidStart works. The Visiting Teacher regularly visits our son at his Caregiver’s and rings us to talk about how it’s going. Our son’s Record of Learning and Care book is fantastic.”

“Our son absolutely loves going to his Caregiver’s. When we drop him off in the morning, on our way to work, he runs up the path with his arms out towards her and a great big smile on his face.”

“My son’s Caregiver is amazing. She’s encouraging and clearly happy to be with the children, and in response my son is happy to be with her. I am totally confident of his safety and happiness when he is with her. Amongst the skills she’s taught him are how to take turns, share, and care and she’s helped fill him with the joy of learning. What more could I ask?”

“I hadn’t counted on the relationship being so good. She goes out of her way to make things easier. She is very flexible and gives 100 percent to the whole family. She sparkles when she tells me where they’ve been. There is excitement and enthusiasm about what they have been doing. She is absolutely lovely. I know where my child is at, I am listened to and respected. I have asked her to work on something and I can see the change and the learning.”

“All my expectations were on the Caregiver. She focuses on time with children, not money, and rewards good behaviour. She has very clear boundaries and is very consistent…she has play ideas I didn’t have like inventing games, good old-fashioned ones: she uses what’s around her. I know my child is not missing anything when with her. We sit down and discuss things. She’s suggested, I’ve suggested.”

“I love the feedback and information. It has supported my confidence.”

“There have been times when we have had a real emergency and our Caregiver was there for me. I feel I have support as I don’t have a large extended family. There’s lots of give and take in this relationship, and trust. I really appreciate the way she goes out of her way for our family. She is very flexible and will accommodate extra hours. I try and give her notice but this has not always been possible.”

“I like her philosophies on dealing with children. She tells me this happened and so I did this. I respect Barnardos values and philosophy. It makes it easier for me. I know that her behaviour on any issue will be handled in the way that I would want.”

“I like the learning activities that I didn’t know you could do: like cooking, feeding chickens, looking for numbers on the letterboxes. I didn’t know these types of play were fun for them. My own childhood did not have these experiences. It was different altogether.”

“The Record of Learning and Care book will be kept forever. I love the photos and stories. I really appreciate the time the Caregiver takes to make it special.”