Who do you trust to look after your precious little ones while you are at work?

You might turn to a local nursery or perhaps a nanny in your home but there is one area of childcare you might not have considered – a childminder.

A childminder runs their own Early Years Setting from their own home.

All childminders have to registered, most with Ofsted and are inspected and graded on exactly the same framework as a Nursery, with a report you can access.

We are required to be trained and keep up to date in Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding (child protection), Child Development and Food Hygiene. We are insured to use our cars and homes for business use.

As with nurseries, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.

We can offer the 15/30 hours funded childcare places and Tax Free Childcare scheme or childcare vouchers.

So what makes a childminder special/different?

The variety of experience offered in a childminding setting is extensive.

Your child can have a different adventure every day.

While we work from our own homes, we are often out and about, visiting the library, toddlers groups, museums, parks, soft play centres, care homes, on the farm, down the allotment, at the beach or in the garden.

The scope of experience is vast and learning can take place anywhere and everywhere.

We provide a caring family feel to childcare in a home from home atmosphere with smaller numbers than nurseries.

Having smaller numbers enables us to be in a much better position to teach to your child’s interests, learning through play. Education will be tailored to your child.

Childcare is one of the biggest outgoings for a family with young children after the household expenses are paid.

Childminders can offer very competitive fees, flexible hours, before and after school service, school holiday cover for older siblings and term time only contacts.

If you want to find a childminder in your area you can contact Children and Families Information Service at the council on 0345 712 5737 who can provide you with directory of registered childminders.

Do you think that this could be the career for you?

A brochure entitled “Thinking about becoming a registered childminder?” can be obtained from Children and Families Information Service Telephone 0345 712 5737

For anyone looking for a childminder in the local area visit Childminders Carlisle on Facebook.