(Photograph) - Champion childminders of 2000 Patricia Heard from Essex (left) and Joanne Coles from Stockton-on-Tees (right) were congratulated by broadcaster and writer Claire Rayner as they picked up their prizes of 1,000 at a ceremony in London on Valentine's Day. Patricia, who is NNEB-trained and belongs to an approved childminding network, won the category of a childminder registered for over five years. She said, 'I have been caring for ten years for the children of the parent who nominated me. For as long as I am needed I could never give up my job, even if I won the Lottery.' Joanne, a trained nursery and infant teacher and playgroup leader, won the childminder for five years or under category. Having moved 200 miles from her former home, she initially became a registered childminder to help her family settle in the area and provide playmates for her youngest child. Joanne is currently finishing a psychology degree, is a trained counsellor and is the only accredited volunteer in the north-east of England for the British Epilepsy Association. The competition was organised by the National Childminding Association and sponsored by baby accessories company Sangenic, manufacturers of Tommee Tippee and Nappy Wrapper.
(Photograph) - Champion childminders of 2000 Patricia Heard from Essex (left) and Joanne Coles from Stockton-on-Tees (right) were congratulated by broadcaster and writer Claire Rayner as they picked up their prizes of Pounds 1,000 at a ceremony in London on Valentine's Day. Patricia, who is NNEB-trained and belongs to an approved childminding network, won the category of a childminder registered for over five years. She said, 'I have been caring for ten years for the children of the parent who nominated me. For as long as I am needed I could never give up my job, even if I won the Lottery.' Joanne, a trained nursery and infant teacher and playgroup leader, won the childminder for five years or under category. Having moved 200 miles from her former home, she initially became a registered childminder to help her family settle in the area and provide playmates for her youngest child. Joanne is currently finishing a psychology degree, is a trained counsellor and is the only accredited volunteer in the north-east of England for the British Epilepsy Association.
The competition was organised by the National Childminding Association and sponsored by baby accessories company Sangenic, manufacturers of Tommee Tippee and Nappy Wrapper.
Photo Joel Chant
