The many years our two children have spent with Adri and Wayne at the Mouse’s House have been magical, and formative for them both. Adri and Wayne treated our children with such great care and support, from the moment they first arrived at the setting, and now they really feel like part of our extended family. Children at the Mouse’s House are given so many great, fun and educational activities to take part in, such memorable moments at Christmas and other celebratory times, lovely meals and so much more besides. We couldn’t have hoped for better childminders and my husband and I often talk about how lucky we were the day we met Adri and Wayne. I think they have played a huge part in making our kids the happy and confident little people that they are today. As parents, we have found Adri and Wayne utterly reliable, flexible, unflappable, warm and supportive, including through the very difficult ‘Covid-years’ we have all experienced recently. We can’t recommend them highly enough.
Jason and Caroline Measures - September 2015 to 2022
Choosing childcare for your first child is always a difficult thing. We didn’t have the luxury of family close by to be able to help and with both of us working full time we needed an option that would fit in with and most importantly also fit with what we wanted for our daughter. Talking to other local mums roughly a month before I was planning to return to work when Eloise was 9 months old, they were aghast that I hadn’t been on waiting lists for nurseries or childminders since the moment that I knew I was pregnant. Unsure what how childminding was different to a day nursery setting, I set out to do some investigation. One of my friends recommended The Mouses House as being notoriously the best in the village and very well located between our house and the train station, “Go and speak to Adri she will answer all of your questions, but it’s impossible to get a place there as they have a really long waiting list”. Undeterred, I got in touch and one sunny August morning, Eloise and I went to The Mouses House for the first time. From the moment I stepped in the door, I knew that this was the right decision for our child. The play room was well equipped, clean and bright with an amazing theme display on the walls and linked toys and play areas set up. There were more pre school suited activities for the older children to support their learning. Homecooked meals and arts and crafts were done by all at the kitchen table. Whilst Adri and I talked, Eloise was calmly and gently given a range of toys to play with, and the interaction between Adri and her was instantaneous, completely natural and exactly what we had been looking for. A home from home environment where thoughtfulness, manners and kindness are second nature. One of the other key points was the fact that the children went out to do the school run in all weathers rather than being cooped up in one room all day, which was the feeling I had got from the day nurseries I had visited. I was sold. Problem was, my friend was right, there was no space for my little girl full time.
Then the call came, another child was moving house at short notice and there was space when we needed it. And so began what was a 7 year relationship with Adri and Wayne (time to mention him too as he also plays a critical role in the running of The Mouses House). Eloise was cherished, challenged to try new things (food, activities, interacting with children of all ages, early years educational development to name a few) and she loved every moment she went there. We never had any tantrums or resistance in her wanting to go there. She had daily input from both male and female adults was is an oddly reassuring balance. She played outside in all weathers and never came home complaining of being bored.
Roll forward a few years, and Eloise’s brother joined her there from the age of 6 months. I learned from my previous mistake and got him on the list as soon as I knew I was pregnant! The ease at which they took over his day to day care whilst we were at work was incredible, although by that stage I had come to expect nothing less. Even through the Covid-19 lockdowns they provided us with support when we needed it.
To summarise, were it not for the serendipity of finding Adri and Wayne and their setting, I honestly don’t think my children would be as well grounded, thoughtful, confident and able to interact with adults and children of all ages as they are today. Their diets are broad and well balanced because they had an ever revolving menu of home cooked food to enjoy at their meals there. The ethos of The Mouses House matched our parenting ideals and we never had to question their judgement calls. The other parents and children we met there have become life long friends. Our walls are full of beautiful artwork created by the children for many different occasions and we still have to this day, the folders of the daily photos and updates they we got detailing what they had eaten, when they had slept, what activities they had enjoyed that day and how they were progressing on the Early Years Educational Framework. What more could you ask for?
If you need childcare, look no further.
Meg Francis - September 2014 to August 2021.
To whom it may concern,
Adri & Wayne at the ‘Mouse House’ were childminders to our daughter, Molly from May 2018 until December 2020. Our association only come to an end due to our relocation to Dorset. Over the years they have become extended members of the family who we hold in the highest regard. My daughter has thrived because of the love, care and attention they have shown.
As a primary school teacher, I have always appreciated their focus on child development. As a team they provide a well-structured, engaging and stimulating timetable of activities for the children. As a result, Molly has always demonstrated good social, and communication skills. I believe they create an environment that allows each child to shine and grow across many areas of interest. One of the other advantages of the mouse house is its proximity to the Grove Park. A wonderful resource that all the children can take full advantage of. I loved receiving pictures of Molly exploring and engaging with the outside world. In terms of her health and physical development the time spent outside was invaluable.
I understand the pressure that comes with being a working mother/father and the anxiety that can accompany choosing childcare. Knowing that I had found a place that felt like a family environment where the children were happy and prioritised was essential. Adri & Wayne are both mindful of safety inside and outside of the home. They provide a varied diet for the children which Molly also was enjoyed. I felt confident that Molly’s well-being, both emotional and physical, would be in safe and competent hands.
I always felt that I had a good understanding of Molly’s day because of the effective communication they established. Whether it be through Molly’s daily reports, phone messages or chats in the hall I was informed and involved. On a personal note, I have also found them exceptionally understanding and supportive when ever life’s little bumps knock you.
Overall, I think you would be making the best choice for you and your family to introduce Wayne and Adri into your lives, as Childminders and friends.
Louise and Ian - May 2018 - December 2020
To who it may concern,
Adri has worked as a live out nanny for our family from August 2001 untill October 2003 looking after our daughter Carly since she was 3months old up until she was 2 1/2 years old. Adri's reason for leaving was due to her visa expiring and returning to South Africa.
We were very anxious to find someone we could trust implicitly, who would listen to our needs for our daughter and respect our home and belongings. She delivered all of our needs and more, fully respecting the professional position of being a nanny and our specific wish of providing our daughter with a loving, caring nanny when her parents were not there.
Our daughter loved and adored Adri and through Adri's patience and teaching skills has developed to be a very bright, confident, creative and chatty little girl. Adri structured her days to have a balance of physical, mental and creative activities and provided healthy cooking and a balanced diet.
As Carly was our first child both my husband and I were slightly anxious of how we would cope having someone in our house everyday, arriving while we were preparing for work etc. Adri became a member of the family very quickly and respected our home.
I have no hesitation in recommending her and would specifically recommend her for first time parents who need to build confidence quickly with a nanny through the learning curve they are going through.
Kindest regards
Jayne Downes
Hester Adri Tempest
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
28th September 2005
Adri has worked for me as a nanny from 24th March 2004 to 19th August 2005. She has had sole charge of my little boy from when he was aged 6 months to nearly 2 years.
Adri has always been punctual, courteous and well presented. She is totally trustworthy and has had control of expenditure relating to my son. She is extremely creative, has encouraged my son to learn to draw and paint and helped him with imaginative play.She has studied psychology and child development, which means that she has an extremely intelligent approach to the child development process.
I work from an office and also from home and Adri has always been flexible with me coming in and out of the house as well as totally capable of sole charge. She is warm and caring and has developed an incredible bond with my son who absolutely adores her.
Adri has a sunny disposition and is always cheerful. She always encouraged and stimulated my son whilst always maintaining boundaries and teaching him wonderful manners. She accompanied him to many playgroups and encouraged social connections with other children. She speaks several languages fluently and I do think that her linguistic skills and attention to language has enabled my son to have a wonderful vocabulary.
Adri is the most exceptional person and we are desolate that she will no longer be with our family. She had to leave due to circumstances outside of our control. However we are very happy that we always remain in contact with her and she will always remain in touch with our son.
We wish Adri every success in her life and are sure that she will have a wonderful career. We have no hesitation in recommending her to any family.
Yours faithfully
Felicia and Houston Morris.
We have known Adri Tempest since April 2007. Initially Adri looked after our youngest daughter Agnes (from age 14 months), together with a boy of similar age in a nanny share arrangement with another family. Subsequent to the birth of her own daughter, she looked after Agnes together with her own daughter on a part-time basis. Adri was at all times caring, efficient, reliable and professional in all aspects of her work. We have no doubt that Adri will run a caring and fun-to-be-at nursery, adhering to high standards at all times, and encourage you to meet Adri and see for yourself!
Tom Milne and Karin Erlander