Author: Tracie Dowling

In January 1993, I had my first daughter Gemma-Leigh. At the time I was working in hospitality and due to the unsociable hours, I became a stay-at-home mother. My second daughter, Chelsea came along nineteen months later, in September 1994. Unfortunately, during childbirth I had complications and Chelsea was born with Erb’s Palsy.

I spent the next year taking Chelsea to hospital appointments in London and spending one-on-one time with her; giving her regular physio therapy as instructed by the doctors, whilst Gemma attended Montessori School. Within that year, I separated from the girls’ father and decided that due to Chelsea’s condition, I would become a Childminder to earn wages so I could stay at home and still give Chelsea the care she needed. I loved being able to work from home, support my children financially and physically, and still enjoy my work. Back then, I was not earning a great deal and I was asked to go into fostering, which paid well and was also working with children. This was very rewarding! But also hard work, due to the situation the foster children had been in.

In 2000, I decided to move up to Liverpool, where my mum had her own childminding business. We agreed to work as Co-Childminders and my little family moved to Liverpool in July 2001. It was this year that OFSTED began inspecting childminders and nurseries within their framework so once the girls had settled in at school, I registered with Liverpool City Council. OFSTED recognised us as qualified childcare, meaning training was provided by the council and I took every opportunity I could to expand my knowledge. I started my NVQ’s in Childcare and Education, which opened my eyes to the many ways I could expand my practice.

Co-Childminding was fantastic as it provided us with flexibility, so I could always attend the girls’ school for assemblies, sports days and anything else regarding my girls. Mum and I specialised in children with specific needs, and cared for the children and their families holistically. We started providing services to teenage parents so they could access ‘Care to Learn’ funding around their own education, encouraging and supporting them via childcare, to go back to school and into workplaces. This service helped us to network with other professionals and I joined a Childminding Network which was funded by Liverpool City Council.

Training was made available to the network and was very successful. The network started with two groups (North and South Liverpool) and went on to be a key role in every Children’s Centre in Liverpool. One of the first Children’s Centres to open in the city was in Stoneycroft. I was asked by the city-wide Co-ordinator to apply for the role of Childminder Network Co-ordinator which was a full time position. I applied for the job and got it! I was overwhelmed, but realised I would have to give up childminding which I loved.

In 2005, I started my new job role whilst the Stoneycroft Children’s Centre was being built. It was fantastic being part of a team and watching the centre turn into a hub for the local community. Childminders who joined the city-wide networks thrived in positive ways, from: access to training, drop-in sessions, one-on-one support, Quality Assurance (accredited award by NCMA) and training facilitated by the Network Co-ordinators including myself. With the help of Stoneycroft’s Family Link Workers, I set up a Toy Library for Childminders and local families, and expanded my work into the wider community. I underwent specialised training in: Baby Massage, Baby Yoga, Music and Movement, Nutrition, Dental-care and Healthcare. I connected with local schools, nurseries, after-school clubs, midwifes, health visitors, doctors etc.

Although the job was also very rewarding, I was missing working hands-on with the children. By the time I left the role, there was a total of twenty two Childminder Network Co-ordinators, one in every Children’s Centre! Unfortunately, due to Government funding cuts, the positions are no longer. I have always continued to network with childminders; offering support and sharing ideas and knowledge. This is something I hope to provide with this website and blog; free access to inspiration and support!

In 2010, I re-registered with OFSTED as a Childminder and it proved to be the right time as my third daughter, Poppy was born at just thirty two weeks in July 2011. I was so lucky that Poppy got into a routine for sleep and feeding, as within two weeks I was back childminding full-time. Since 2011, I have specialised in Outdoor Learning. I participated in Forest School workshops and training ran by the Forest Childcare Association. If you’re interested in getting your childcare setting out and about check out Kay’s Forest Pack. Having lived on two farms during childhood I personally view outdoor play as essential to children’s health and development as it provides a spectrum of learning opportunities. I have always provided the children in my care with outdoor play activities. In my last setting I had a small yard which I maximised to incorporate play, relaxing and learning; using purpose-built planters and soft play toys to utilise the space. But still, I craved a bigger garden with ponds, wildlife, grass, and raised beds for growing even more herbs, fruit and vegetables.

Three years ago, my dream came true when I found my garden! We moved into our current setting in September 2017 and the garden was already a lovely space but I had big ideas! I spent the first year watching it change through the seasons, while I planned what I could change to provide the children with learning opportunities and my family with a safe, calming space to relax. Over the last three years, we have grown a vast range of herbs, fruit and vegetables. The children learn from seed-to-crop helping to sow, prick out, pot and harvest the crops. The pond life is thriving, last summer we made small hiding ponds for our travelling frogs – check out our blog post about them! Gardening is my main hobby, its my relaxation and happy place.

With the current COVID restrictions we have adapted the way we work and the garden has proved invaluable. We have had major building work completed to the play rooms so the children have extra space and freedom indoors and my family are kept safe. Parents can view the children playing through our large bay window and it gives prospective parents the opportunity to see how our setting operates in a safe and secure way. For more on changes we’ve made due to the pandemic, visit our policies page.