WHY BE A CHILDMINDER

These words say it far better than I could ever begin to do.

I would just like to share this with you

whether you are a parent chosing a childminder

a new childminder

or 

even a more experienced childminder.

Below is a piece written by Jen a childminder from the Chichester area during a conversation on UK Childminders in October 2001, it also appears on the Leighton Buzzard Childminders web site and in 'Registered Childminding - The Secrets of Success.

Why on Earth would you want to be a Childminder?

It's the horrified looks from 'people' that get me, when I explain that none of the children with me are mine, that they are minded children, and that in fact I don't have any children of my own! They ask me in mock horror "why on earth" I would want to be a Childminder (and in my 'time off' I'm a Rainbow Guider!)

Now, Let me think - perhaps it's because I am paid to splash in puddles, crunch through autumn leaves, feed the ducks, gaze lovingly at tractors and other 'big machines', stay 'snug as a bug' at home all day when the weather is grotty, read 'green eggs and ham' whenever I choose to, make chocolate cornflake cakes and basically turn other normal, 'everyday' events into mini adventures! And, hey, perhaps it's because I enjoy doing all of the above!

The question we should ask these 'people' is 'why on earth' would I NOTwant to do my job! And 'why on earth' would I want to go to the same office everyday to do the same mundane tasks EVERYDAY. . .but you see, 'we' are not so closed minded as to ask them such personal questions!

I think it's called DIVERSITY isn't it?

Wouldn't the world be a boring place if we were all exactly the same and wanted the exactly the same thing!

Childminders are great. . . .

but 

that's just my opinion!

Sadly Jen died far too young at the age of 34 in October 2006 but her parents have given me permission to add this to my website and spread the word as they like the idea of Jen's love of life being 'out there'. Below is a description of Jen by a close friend of hers. I did not know this lady but wish I could have met her. She truely encompasses everything you would want in a person who cares for your child.

"I want to tell you all about Jen , but realise whatever I say it is not enough, not enough to do her justice- so, instead, here are a few brief words. Jen was funny, intelligent, loyal, caring and kind, she was also modest, reserved and yet exuberant all at the same time. Jen was a childminder, the best childminder I have ever had the privilege to meet; she was born to care for children. Jen had the ability to make every child feel special and every moment was an exciting adventure for the children in her care. She treated all children with the utmost respect, consulting them and including them in every aspect of their time with her. Jen was just about to become a foster parent; she was so looking forward to it and had so much to give. I just know she would have been wonderful. Jen was full of fun and her enthusiasm for life was infectious, which is probably why she had so many friends, it is not surprising that the people who count Jen as their friend are spread far & a field. She was special- and she was my best, best friend."

I love working with children and have been doing so since 1982 (if I say it quickly it doesn't seem so  long lol). I cannot ever imagine doing anything else. Waking up and knowing that in  an hour the children will be here and the house will be filled with laughing children makes my day and on a Sunday the house is far too quiet. But occasionally I have days when I doubt whether I am good enough to be a childminder, days when I think I might need to look for a different job - luckily those moments pass quickly. But it is Jen's words I turn to at moments like those; Jen's words that make me realise what a fantastic and brilliant job I have and I lucky I am to share my days with such special little people. 

So I would like to say Thank You Jen. x

A video that says it all

Okay tried to put this on so that it is on the side bar and I'm sure someone out there will be able to tell me how but for now.

CHECK THIS OUT

PS

I am atrocious at spelling.

Please forgive me. I will try to check it as I type but I may occasionally miss something or if I blog in a hurry I really do apologise for what I type. For those that know me be grateful its not predictive text lol xx

Hello

Yet another blog for me - to join the three I already have. I am an on and off blogger and don't update them very often some more than others but thought I would add another one for my childminding business. There is one connected to my website but I know what I am doing on here and can play more.

I wanted a name that was catchy or funny or stood out then I came across a video SEE IT HERE online and decided to use The Gift of an Ordinary Day.

Now I know it is none of the above things I wanted it to be but I will explain

(Please forgive me as I am about to bare my soul)

Most people I know see me and think they know me but they don't really.

I am an overweight person who works with children. I see it in their faces - how can she do her job properly - and they are probably right (even heard a so called friend comment about my weight saying something similar when she didn't know I was listening). I put on a happy confident front but inside there is something missing. 

 I watched the video and thought how lucky the lady was. 

Why? 

Because since I was a little girl I wanted to be a Mummy. 

I wanted to be married and have a big family of four children.

I wanted to be there for my children and see them grow up. 

It has never happened but I have a lovely husband 


I would rather have a life with him and no children than a life without him 

I am blessed to know him but a little part of me knows something is missing from our life.

I have other childminders question why I do this job as I don't have children of my own. I have even had parents question my motives for being a childminder as they think it odd that someone who has no children of her own wants to be a childminder. These comments hurt but you learn to patiently explain that since being 3 years old and starting playgroup I wanted to be a teacher. I wasn't clever enough to do A levels so did the next best thing (in those days) and went to be a  nanny.

I found a vocation I loved. 

I still have contact with most of the families I nannied for. I then spent 3 months in a nursery not my cup of tea and that's all I am saying (it was a bad experience for me that meant it took a year of cleaning for a living - which I loved - before finally sending off my registration forms with a weekly phone call from the childminding development officer asking if I had sent them off.  Bless you Julie what did I do to you for that year). I loved nannying and always said when I had my own children I would childmind as it was the next best thing to my nanny job. Sadly the children didn't arrive but instead I have been blessed.

I have been in childcare 30 years next year

(if I say it quickly it doesn't seem that long)

I love my job and it is the best job in the world. I can think of nothing better than spending a day in the company of children. I have cared for many many children from the age of four months up to 12 years. I am still in contact with many of them but all of them have filled our lives with fun and joy. The video is talking about being a parent but I feel that it can apply to how I feel.  I may not have given birth to a child but I have held a baby at less than a day old, I have changed nappies and yes I have even had sleepless nights (not many admittedly as they usually sleep for me when they stay over).

So what seems like an ordinary day to most people is a day filled with fun, joy and laughter in more ways than one 

~A GIFT~

We are so lucky and honoured 

that parents have trusted 

the care of the most precious thing in their life to us

Hopefully you will enjoy reading about our adventures that we have during our ordinary day. I can't promise to post regularly but I will try to update regularly.