C hoosing childcare for your child is one of the most important early decisions you will make.

Sadly, when looking for childcare options, so many parents don’t even consider a childminder as an option for childcare. Why is that?

Society has always and seems to continue to view childminders in a negative light, assuming that childminders lack professionalism and qualifications and instead adopt the role of a long-term babysitter rather than viewing it as a viable childcare option.

Home-based childcare providers offer all of the factors you look for in a nursery, but with the added bonus of a more personal, flexible home-from-home environment.

There are many benefits to choosing a childminder,

Registered childminders work in their own homes meaning that your children can enjoy real-life learning experiences like cooking, shopping, gardening, mealtimes and outings to the park and library.

Childminders are self-employed and can be more flexible – a great help if you work shifts or irregular hours or need an extra half an hour here and there.

Some childminders are registered to provide overnight care and work at weekends.

Most childminders will pick up and collect children from school, pre-school or nursery as well as offer care during school holidays.

Childminders are regularly inspected by Ofsted and are expected to provide high quality childcare. They receive the same core training as other childcare professionals.

Childminders work in partnership with parents and many become lifelong friends and part of the family.