About me and Childminding!
My name is Karen Richards and lives in North Shoreham. I have been childminding for 12 years. I am married to Paul, who is a Director of a Sussex Marine Watersports, and have two children, Kimberley who is 17 and Ashley who is 14.
Qualifications
In early 2005 I gained a NVQ level 3 in Early Years Care and Education after 10 months study. I updated my Pediatric First Aid in March 2005. I have attended courses including Promoting Positive Behavior in the Learning Environment, Encouraging Positive Behavior 0-3 and Developing Speech Sounds during the year and successfully completed a 10 week course on Psychology - Child Development in December.
In 2006 I have been on a Saturday course 'Working with Parents' , which was excellent and an evening session on Behavior Management. I went to the West Sussex Childminding Conference on Sat 20th May and had an excellent day with lots of information, workshops and a delicious lunch!!
I am a professional childcare worker, I feel strongly that childcare qualifications are important, not only for my own self motivation but also for your children. I would like my career to progress and my childcare experience to grow.
I enjoy looking after other peoples children - it is so different from your own!
I find it very rewarding to be part of the child's upbringing, working with you the parents to ensure that your child has the opportunities that life has to offer.
My Commitment
My commitment to my work is very high. I began my career as a live-in Nanny after I left college, where I gained a City & Guilds qualification Home Economics For The Family and Community Care. I worked with different age groups but have always come back to the childcare sector. I am a very conscientious person, putting the child's health and safety first at all times.
The Childminder- Parent relationship
Although childminding is subject to greater regulation, it is still very much a private arrangement between you the parent and myself. I am always happy to discuss your requirements before the interview, at the interview in more depth, and ongoing as your child develops and his/her needs change.
Healthy Communication between us is Important
As an aid to create good communication I use a diary to record the days events for babies, which I also encourage parents to write in too! I have also created a monthly Newsletter which I give direct to the parent with information they need to know!