We are mother and daughter childminders working together from our home in Landkey. We live with Andrew (Emma’s husband/Jess’ Dad) and our cat (Tiny) and our cocker spaniel (Lottie).
I am Level 3 trained (Diploma in Pre-school Practice) and have worked in Early Years for 25 years. I began by working in a Pre-school, working with 3 and 4 year olds, which I really enjoyed. After 13 years in a Pre-school setting I changed to work for Action for Children at South Molton Children’s Centre where I worked with the family, rather than just the child, and for the first time I worked with babies and toddlers. During my 10 years at the Children’s Centre I became passionate about supporting parents in the first years of parenthood working with them for the best outcomes for their children. I ran a baby group which was always well attended and also a busy Healthy Child Clinic/toddler group, working alongside the Health Visitors.
Whilst at the Children’s Centre I was lucky enough to do Thrive training – the best training I have ever done! Thrive is a therapeutic approach to help support children with their emotional and social development and something I now naturally incorporate into my practice. I have also done the Building Babies Brains course.
I hold a level 3 qualification in Children’s Play, Learning and Development. I completed this at college, doing a 2 year course after I left school. I also hold qualifications in Supporting Teaching and Learning, Understanding Autism, Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Building Babies Brains. When I started college in 2018 I was doing bank work and volunteering through my courses with children under the age of 8, until September 2021 when I became a childminder assistant working alongside Emma. In March 2024 I registered to become a childminder in my own right. I am passionate about supporting children’s learning, development and emotional well-being to help them get ready for the next stage in their life. I absolutely love my job and wouldn’t want to be doing anything else!
"A safe happy place"
We have both completed Safeguarding and Paediatric First Aid course. We hold enhanced DBS certificates, as does Andrew as he works from home.