My name is Charlotte (Charlie) I am married to Martin and have a daughter; Molly, and son Archie. We live in Westhoughton, Bolton, Manchester.

From leaving school I went into childcare, unfortunately due to circumstances at that time I could no longer pursue this career.

I worked as a Customer Liaison Officer until Molly was born, when I decided to become a “full time mum.” Therefore allowing me to resume my passion of working with children.

I was registered as a childminder in 2007 I was  awarded an overall Ofsted rating of 'Good' at my inspection in November 2008

My aim

Is to provide a warm, welcoming and stimulating environment, build positive relationships with the children in my care and make sure their individual needs are met so they can reach their full potential. I hope to offer children a continuity of care as close to their home environment as possible. I would like children in my care to feel “part of the family” and thus valued as a family member.

I am part of the Bolton Childminding Network and am working towards NCMA Children Come First approval.

Childminding networks are made up of a group of childminders who are supported and monitored by a network coordinator. If you're using a network childminder, as well as all the other benefits of registered childminding, they offer all the following advantages.

High-quality care

Before a childminder is accepted onto a network they must show the network's coordinator that they meet the NCMA Children Come First Quality Standards. These standards cover all aspects of childminding, from keeping children safe, to working with families.

Reassurance

All registered childminders are inspected at least once every three years in England. But childminders who belong to an NCMA Children Come First network are visited at least four times a year by their network coordinator. One of these visits is unannounced so the coordinator can see how the childminder works when they have no pre-warning of a visit.

Commitment

By joining a network, your childminder has shown that they are committed to offering the best possible childcare service. You'll know this because childminders who have been accepted onto a network must:

• take at least three days' training per year
• regularly consider their service and how it can be improved
• ask for feedback from the parents and children they work with

A wide range of activities

You and your child will also benefit from all the activities and events that the network arranges. Many networks:

• hold regular group meetings where the children can make friends with children cared for by other network childminders and socialise in a larger group
• take the children on outings
• invite parents to come along to network events
• have a toy library, so there are always plenty of new, exciting toys for your child to explore as they develop.
• Early education sessions

If you have a 3- or 4-year-old your network childminder may be able to offer them their free early education sessions. Not all networks are quality-assured by NCMA Children Come First, so won't all offer the benefits above. Ask if your network is NCMA Children Come First approved, working towards approval or, if not, which services they offer.

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