MP visits childminder and youngsters to celebrate National Childminding Week

GRIMSBY MP Austin Mitchell joined a group of children and their childminder for the day to help highlight the causes of National Childminding Week.

During his visit, Mr Mitchell spent time with Trisha Kersey and three youngsters in their daily routine of educational exploration and play. He helped Trisha with her work by reading to the children ‘The Gruffalo’, which was voted childminders’ favourite book for children by members of the National Childminding Association.

Trisha, who recently achieved a double ‘Outstanding’ grade for both Care and Education in her latest OfSTED inspection, invited the MP into her home to give him an insight to the childcare she provides on behalf of local parents. The event was part of National Childminding Week 2008, organised by the National Childminding Association. This year, the week ran from Saturday, June 14. To tie in with the National Year of Reading, the theme for National Childminding Week centred on reading and the role childminders and nannies play in supporting children to learn language, literacy and creativity.

Throughout North East Lincolnshire, childminders provide education, enjoyment and engaging activities for the children in their care. North East Lincolnshire has some of the most dedicated and successful childminders in the country with several others also receiving "outstanding" ratings in their OfSTED inspections. The week-long campaign celebrates this hard work and recognises the dedication and care they offer the children in their charge.

Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for Children’s Services, said: “Childminders provide a home away from home for their clients’ children. In North East Lincolnshire we are blessed with some of the most inspiring individuals I’ve ever witnessed. Making every day a new, challenging and thoroughly enjoyable event for the children in their charge isn’t only a job to them, it’s a true passion and a skill I completely commend. It’s a pleasure to be able to share the experiences of such wonderful provision with our local MP and I hope Mr Mitchell will return for another visit next year.”