Karen Pyper from Coleraine, Co Londonderry, is this year's Cow and Gate Northern Ireland Childminder of the Year

(Photograph) - Karen Pyper from Coleraine, Co Londonderry, is this year's Cow and Gate Northern Ireland Childminder of the Year. Currently she looks after one-year-old Matthew (pictured) and his four-year-old brother Conor, whose mother Jenny Begley nominated Karen for the award. Karen has cared for 25 children in her eight years as a registered childminder. She has also worked for social services with children who had family problems. She received a specially-engraved piece of Tyrone crystal and a cheque for £500.