14/05/2026
Its Childminder Appreciation Week.
So here's my story....
From the age of two I went to a childminder. Their family became my extended family, they took me on family camping trips, it was a second home, my childminder was my second mum, I gained a new sister and two younger brothers, I stayed with Auntie Margaret until I was old enough to be independent in the house, and still they were my family, I still played out with my 'sister' we were inseparable. I was 16 the last time I went camping with them.
As a child I always wanted to be a lion tamer and tightrope walker, at 16 I wanted to be a nanny, at 17 I became a secretary, by 24 my life ambition was to be a childminder.
When I got married at 37 my family was there to see me, auntie Margaret and Uncle Peter, travelled 250 miles to be there on my big day, my 'sister' was there with her two children, one of whom is my God daughter, of course mum, dad and my real sister were there too.
I registered as a childminder at the age of 46, my ambition finally fulfilled. I also started camping again - funny how things work out.
In April 2017 I went camping with my childminder again.
Childminding can be such a rewarding experience from both perspectives, I am happy I was a minded child and I am happy to be a childminder.
