Testimonials
Read this page in Welsh/Cymraeg
Starting any new career can be daunting, but read on to find out
what a rewarding career childminding can be.
I was a doctors’ receptionist for 15 years and my mum did my
childcare. I wanted to be with my own children more; it was
important to be there for them. My sister needed to go back to work
full time and I wanted a change, so I thought: “Perfect!”
I went to college and went through the procedure of registering;
I started childminding in January 2006.
I get huge amounts out of my job. You get so much back from the
children – seeing their faces makes all the hard work worthwhile,
and the appreciation from the parents. As a childminder I feel it’s
a privilege to look after other people’s children because they’re
so precious. I feel so privileged. I do lots of teaching through
play; children learn huge amounts through play. They learn in
different ways.
Tracy, Registered Childminder, Hemel
Hempstead
I’ve been a childminder since 2004. Previously I worked in a
nursery and decided to become a childminder when I had my second
child; it fitted in nicely with taking my daughter to school. I
approached the local council, and they put me in touch with NCMA.
When I worked in a nursery I worked with all age groups so I’d had
a taste of everything; I was also a pre-school room leader. If you
take on too many children you can’t give 100 per cent to each
child. I give them all the same amount of attention.
Kim, Registered Childminder, Rochester
I’ve been childminding since 2004. I became a childminder
because I wanted to be at home with my daughter and I didn’t want
to go back to work because of childcare costs. It’s been the best
thing for me; I like working with children.
I found registration okay; it wasn’t that difficult. I’m now
also a support childminder, so I support new childminders through
the registration period and for the first year.
Childminding has made me realise what I can do; it’s changed my
life entirely. I’ve done Care, Learning and Development NVQ Level 2
now I’m actually doing an early years degree. Eventually I’d like
to work in a school or go down the inspector route.
It’s made me better myself, and given me a career goal.
Childminding has been a link into other things; it just shows you
can do it. The days are long but it’s enjoyable, and it’s enabled
me to be with my children. It’s been very positive. I’ve achieved
the Early Years Star Award and I’ve also been to a presentation at
Westminster because Ofsted judged me ‘outstanding’ at my last
inspection. I like knowing that I’m doing something positive for
the children. Going on trips, seeing that the children are learning
and developing – it’s very rewarding.
I enjoy working for myself. It boosts your confidence when it’s
going well, knowing you’re providing a service and that parents are
happy. And the business side – for example, the accounting –
stimulates the other part of your brain!
Debbie, Registered Childminder, Cannock
I’ve been childminding since 2002. I originally started because
a local parent was needing help and it stemmed from there. I got
myself registered and never looked back!
When I went through the process it was at the time that Ofsted
had just taken over. At first it was a bit daunting, especially
when I was told that I’d need to go to college [to take my
pre-registration course], which felt strange.
The paperwork was a bit daunting at first, especially with the
tax issues. But NCMA’s factsheets explain everything really well.
We also have a local tax clinic here that speaks to groups of
childminders, and I’ve had business training locally. I like the
freedom and flexibility, of not reporting to someone else, and
clocking on and off.
Childminding’s made a huge difference. It’s made a big
difference with my own children, especially my daughter; there are
always children here. My son has some communication and
socialisation difficulties so it’s really helped him, too. We’re a
huge family, not a family of four! If you have various age groups,
it helps the older ones learn to care for younger ones, while the
younger children learn from the older ones. I’ve looked after quite
big age gaps, and I’ve found that the older ones absolutely love
being with the younger children. Some who’ve now left still pop
round to visit and play with the younger children!
I enjoy seeing the children grow. Two or three I’ve taken on as
babies. It’s nice to watch them grow and feel that I’ve played a
part in their development. It’s very satisfying, especially when
they don’t want to go home! It’s very rewarding. I took one little
boy on a train trip, on the spur of the moment. When we got back he
said: “That was really great!”
Carol, Registered Childminder, Bannock
I became a childminder in 2005. My wife was already childminding
with her sister but then my sister-in-law decided it wasn’t for
her, leaving my wife with a lot of kids! At the time I had a
half-hour journey each way from my job and I also had to work some
weekends. On my day off I was helping out anyway, and I thought:
“This is something I think I can do!”
My wife is now a full-time teacher but she’s still a registered
childminder and helps me in the summer holidays. I look after one
child during the day and two after school. I will probably be
taking on another through Flying Start, a local initiative that
identifies deprived areas.
Some people assume that, because I’m a man, I’m childminding as
a ‘stop-gap’. Well, I’m quite happy with what I’m doing! In fact,
I’m happier now in this job than I’ve ever been. I’d worked in an
office for over 10 years and sometimes I’d get up and think: “I
don’t want to go to work today.” Now, I never feel like that;
childminding has made such a difference to me. The child whom I
look after during the day is so comfortable here, he’s almost like
family. And that’s the way it should be.
I had been working in a drugs and alcohol rehabilitation centre.
I enjoyed the job but . I was missing my children and felt that my
family had to come first. A lot of the job was in the office but
the part I enjoyed the most was working with people, rather than
paper! You’re putting positive things into people’s lives and you
see results. That’s something that you do when you working with
children, too. You see them progress; there’s a lot of job
satisfaction.
Mark, Registered Childminder,
Neath