After nearly 32 years I am resigning from child minding.

I have cared for some lovely children and their families over the years, many have kept in touch and become good friends. There have been so many little characters with their own individuality and personality. We still remember one little boy who when we asked how he was feeling each day would reply “Like birds” if he felt good and “ Like branches” if it wasn’t a good day.
There were also a few families where I was glad when they left because of all the problems they brought.

I’ve been happy to help with families of alcoholics and drug addicts even though they might not always make the best decisions when it comes to the care of their children. Unfortunately social services were not always willing to play their part.

I have been extremely fortunate to have a very supportive husband and children who never complained about our home being open to all these strangers and their difficulties. They helped me when the stress of reporting a child abuse case had to go to Crown Court with me as a witness. Eventually the abuser got a prison sentence. I still see this bully in town and he will try to intimidate me with his staring but strangely he doesn’t do it when my husband is with me.

I will not miss the few entitled parents who complained that because they were earning too much and so weren’t entitled to the free childcare!

I will not miss the OFSTED inspections and their ever increasing expectations, requirements and policies from wiping noses to radicalisation, nor will I miss having to work for the council to deliver the “free childcare” but they still call us self employed to get away with not having to pay holiday pay, sick pay, NI contributions or for all the training we are expected to do. Is it any wonder so many are leaving this profession?

Someone asked me the other day if I would be bored a when I finished and I’m still laughing!

Bridget x