Position: Chair of Wandsworth Childminding Association
- How long have you been working with children?
I'm retiring from childminding but staying as chair of the association Ihelped to set up in the late 70s. It's voluntary, with support fromWandsworth Council, and we have 230 members.
- How has your work as a childminder changed over the years?
I started in the early 1960s when I had four children under five andmums didn't really go out to work. I started a small playgroup with afriend and then became a childminder. I got busier and busier! For thelast 20 years I worked with an assistant during term-time with up to sixunder-fives. We ran a summer holiday playscheme and my husband worked onthe playbus.
- How are you planning to celebrate your retirement?
I'm having a party in October and I'm expecting around 200 people. Oneof the boys I looked after is now 33 and has a 14-year-old son. I'vealso got four children, ten grandchildren, one great-granddaughter andanother great-granddaughter on the way!
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