started child-minding to be at home with my son. I worked as a National Child-minding Association (NCMA) childminder until he went to school when the post of NCMA support childminding co-ordinator came up. My job covers supporting child-minders and promoting child-minding to parents and partners, including early education and childcare units as well as special needs schools. The support role involves the training, support, mentoring and monitoring of 43 network childminders who provide a standard of care over and above statutory requirements. I am also responsible for 350 childminders in the...