Equipment and Resources
Childminder shares her work online in blog
A childminder's weblog has gained her a place on the shortlist for a national award.
A page from Nurture Store
Childminder Cathy James, who started her blog, Nurture Store, last year, is a finalist in the Mummy and Daddy (MAD) Blog Awards, sponsored by Butlins, for the category of Best MAD Blog for Family Fun.
'The blog is part and parcel of my work,' said Ms James. 'I am constantly doing activities and am really passionate about play.
'Childminding can be quite isolating, so I hope the site provides support and encourages practitioners to share their ideas.'
The blog features ideas and activities for parents and childminders, with video clips and images, designed to fit in with the Early Years Foundation Stage. The content is split into three categories - Mind, Body and Spirit - to ease navigation around the site.
Topics include language development and motor skills, maths, counting, arts and crafts, the outdoors and religion.
Ms James has been a childminder for two years and had no experience of blogging. She launched the Nurture Store after receiving advice and help from members on the British Mummy Bloggers forum, where she also heard about the MAD Blog awards.
Nominations for the award, voted on by visitors, will close at the end of the month.
The winner of the Best MAD Blog for Family Fun, sponsored by Woolworths.co.uk, will receive a Netbook and have the chance to have their website professionally designed.
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