I have lived in Hertfordshire for most of my life, and in Manuden for 8 years.   I have a daughter, Tricia, who is 18, and live with my husband, Neil and our two cocker spaniels, Toby and Sophie. 

My background in childcare goes back some 20+ years.  After an initial office work background, I became a foster carer, a job I loved and did for 10 years until a change in my personal circumstances.  I looked after children from birth to 11 and they stayed with me from one week to 7 years!  After fostering, I worked as a children's social worker for two years, working with 'looked after children', a role which was challenging and rewarding and involved me working with vulnerable, and often damaged, children.  Unfortunately, with ever increasing workload and deadlines, I felt I wasn't able to spend enough time with the children or do my job 'properly'.  I missed having a 'hands on' job caring for children, which is how I found myself here, childminding, after 2 years of home childcaring (looking after children in their homes).


My lovely family...

Neil

Toby

I am fully qualified and have an NVQ Level 3 in Caring for Children and Young People, which covers areas such as:

• establishing and maintaining relationships with children,
•  promoting, monitoring and maintaining health, safety and security,
• enabling children to take part in recreating and leisure activities
• providing a management for the framework of behaviour
• promoting equality, diversity and rights
• protection of children from abuse
  

I've have completed a large number of training courses including, developmental delay, discipline to match behaviour, child centred caring, working with parents, play and development, to name but a few.

I also hold a current Paediatric First Aid Certificate.

Sophie

Tricia