Sarah-Jane's imagination and attention to detail shine out from herpractice. Based in Gloucestershire for eight years, she has created awarm, secure and fun setting, where children are challenged andstimulated.
Everyday life is the basis of her education, with an activity likebaking a cake being incorporated into a whole day's learning; fromvisiting the supermarket to baking in the kitchen to role play wheneating the cake. The children learn by constant involvement and have theroom to make their own decisions, for example, choosing a healthy menuthey will enjoy.
Outdoor play, often quite hard for childminders to organise, is afundamental feature of Sarah-Jane's offer - her children explore alarge, toy-filled garden on a free-flow basis. Together they haveplanted five fruit trees. There are also regular outings.
'Horse-riding and visits to the farm to see new lambs, followed bydrinks and a biscuit at the farmhouse, are all part of the adventureschildren experience while in Sarah-Jane's care,' says one parent.
As well as giving so much to her children and their families, Sarah-Janeworks faithfully for her local community. She has close partnershipswith the local Beavers, a parent and toddler group, and the childmindingsupport group. She has also reached out to a childminding colleague whopreviously felt very isolated.
A health visitor colleague asked Sarah-Jane to provide respite care fora mother suffering postnatal depression, and she also acts as a mentorto young mothers, having been one herself.
She has gained many qualifications, most recently Level 3 Certificate inEarly Years Foundation Stage Practice, which is not always easy as shehas dyslexia. Her recent outstanding Ofsted report highlights what makesSarah-Jane's setting so special - her natural enthusiasm and 'sense offun'.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Christine Scott - Chestnuts Child Care, Shirebrook,Nottinghamshire
Christine has shown herself to be a brilliant childminder, available tofamilies on a personal level and taking on children who have been letdown by other services. Ofsted graded Christine as outstanding in June2006 after just six months in business, and she has continued tochallenge herself, completing 62 childcare courses run by DerbyshireCouncil, as well as an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare. She has also found thetime to register as a community childminder. In this role, she supportschildren with emotional and learning issues and those on the council'sat-risk register. Her dedication to those with difficult lives is clear.Christine works closely with an inclusion officer to provide care fortwo autistic children and a boy with violent behavioural issues, who hadnowhere else left to go and is now 'showing real progress'. Christinewas nominated by her husband and assistant Lee, who obviously could notbe more proud of her.
CRITERIA
Open to registered childminders whot have shown exceptional dedicationto the children they care for, their families and the widercommunity.
- Sponsored by Morton Michel.
