Priceless experience

In response to Jayne Smart's letter on the importance of experience in childcare (Nursery World, 3 August), I have been a childminder for nine years and looked after a large number of children, from babies to young teenagers and including disabled children and those deemed at risk. My husband has recently become my work partner, leaving the police force after 16 years. His natural ability to encourage and nurture the children and the respect that they have for him as a role model are invaluable. For some of our children and parents he is the primary stable male figure in...