A new childminding partnership based in Yarm, Stockton-on-Tees, is aiming to support parents as much as it can with a range of additional services. Little Stars Childminding was launched just over a month ago by nursery practitioners Adele Corbett and Deborah Wright. They provide babysitting and a shuttle service for the eight children currently registered.
Ms Corbett and Ms Wright made the decision to leave their full-time jobs and venture out on their own at the beginning of the year. Ms Wright has 20 years experience in the early years sector and is currently undertaking EYPS, while Ms Corbett has eight years under her belt, with experience in special needs.
'We both knew that in the current economic climate it was a risk to leave full-time employment, but we both feel we made the right decision,' she says. 'The amount of interest in our service from the local town has been really encouraging, and while we are registered for 12 children, we feel that our current quota is just about right.'
The partners have been active in promoting their business since the beginning of the year by distributing leaflets around town and visiting local schools.
'We've been very lucky in that we've had good advice from our childminding co-ordinator,' says Ms Wright. 'We have had to register separately and have both been entitled to a start-up grant of £400. We are based in Adele's detached home and we have done work on the garden to section it off and provide a stimulating outdoor environment for different age groups. We have a sand and water area outside and we will be getting a pet rabbit and possibly chickens.
'Indoors, we have a separate baby area, a home corner and a quiet area that includes book shelves. We also have a sensory area and the children are encouraged to come into the kitchen and participate in cooking.'
Ms Wright says that the local toy library service has also been invaluable. 'It's a source of some wonderful resources and we can keep items borrowed for up to six weeks.'
Part of the start-up has included the purchase of a seven-seater Ford Galaxy car to enable the children to get out and about. 'We've also got a large local park we can get to by bus, and a river with ducks on it that is right on our doorstep,' says Ms Wright.
She reports that parents have responded positively to the idea of a childminding partnership. 'The fact that there are two of us enhances trust and parents recognise the extra support it provides around safety issues.Together we have very wide experience that spans working in nurseries, after-school and breakfast clubs and a special needs school.'
Both are keen for their service to contribute to the community. 'We've got a brand new children's centre that is situated on the same estate and we have agreed to support it in any way we can,' says Ms Wright. 'We are looking forward to participating in groups and getting to know more local families.'
