'I did the Introduction to Childminding Practice before I registered as a childminder in June 2004. I now have on my books four children aged under five. Two of them come to me full-time and two are part-timers, so every day I have three under-fives.
'I started the course because I wanted to extend myself and take a look at what else is out there.
'I used to do childminding years ago when my children were small. Things have changed a lot over the past 20 years. There is so much more paperwork to do now. A lot of the ideas have changed. For example, there is much more now on child protection.
'I had wanted to start the Certificate in Childminding Practice last year, but it was cancelled because of lack of numbers. The course was going to be 11 months, which was quite daunting. This has been broken down into 15-week blocks, which I imagine will be easier as you can do a block and then move on.
'I have been waiting a year to do this course, so I am determined to see it through. It is quite flexible, as you can present your work in different formats: essay form, report form or even in video form. So when you are showing your arts and crafts work, you can submit photographs, and if you want to show the children's activities, you can get the video camera out.'