The only regret Ann Ross has about her work is that she didn't take up childminding sooner. Since she set up on her own six years ago, she knows she has made a difference to the lives of the children and their families.
'I have never had a job where I am so appreciated. I learn something new every day - mostly from the children,' says Ann, who has worked in childcare since 1994.
She has a particular interest in special educational needs and of the nine children she looks after on a part-time basis, two have autistic spectrum disorders. One also has the rare Cornelia De Lange syndrome.
Ann is comfortable working with families from a wide range of cultures, backgrounds and languages, and over the years she has incorporated Turkish, Tamil, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, German, French and Welsh into the setting, as well as celebrating Christian, Muslim and Hindu festivals.
'I also hold regular parents meetings, usually at the parent's home. It is imperative to liaise regularly with the parent so that I can obtain regular information about the child and the family. By doing this, I am able to involve the parents in their child's development and growth while at the setting,' says Ann.
'I believe in celebrating and encouraging achievement and developing self-esteem. I will provide daily contact books, certificates, praise and rewards. In my setting I do my utmost to tailor my service to each individual child and family and ensure they enjoy and achieve.'
In the past two years, Ann has worked in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University and had two students on placement from its New Leaders programme. The first student recently completed the course and became an Early Years Professional.
Highly commended
Elizabeth Thomas, Happy Days Childcare, Worthing
Beth is skilled at juggling her time. She works four full days a week, 7am - 6pm, studies one full day for her Early Years Degree through the Open University, finds time to maintain the local childminding association website, chairs the local Children's Centre Partnership Group meetings and attends West Sussex Network meetings and conferences on a regular basis.
Her focus is on providing high-quality care for children at an affordable price to parents, being flexible to accommodate the needs of families and providing a fantastic opportunity for a two-way flow of information between families and the setting
Criterion
Nominees must be registered childminders.
