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Further to the letter 'Isolated problem' (18 March), I am an NNEB who has worked as a registered childminder for seven years. On my initial registration I was told about my local childminding support group and when I joined the National Childminding Association (NCMA), the local group was advertised on my membership notice. Before I had any clients I went along and introduced my daughter and myself. My daughter had the opportunity to socialise and play with other children, while I asked questions and picked the brains of well-established childminders. They gave me advice on advertising and starting out, and, as the group members were all registered childminders, I asked about fees, negotiating contracts and other business topics I had not encountered in my role as nursery nurse.

Before I had any clients I went along and introduced my daughter and myself. My daughter had the opportunity to socialise and play with other children, while I asked questions and picked the brains of well-established childminders. They gave me advice on advertising and starting out, and, as the group members were all registered childminders, I asked about fees, negotiating contracts and other business topics I had not encountered in my role as nursery nurse.

Childminding doesn't have to be such a solitary job. When I made the decision to care for my own children and bring a wage into the home I grabbed childminding with both hands. By joining my local support group, I saw other benefits, such as the group looking after each other regarding such issues as vacancies and contract disputes. By meeting once a week during term time, I built up a good network of support and friends, with each childminder only a telephone call away.

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