My name is Joanne Edwards I live with my husband Neill and our daughter Amy who is ten and son Thomas who is eight in a four bedroom semidetached house in Ruishton just outside Taunton in Somerset.. I have lived in Taunton most of my life and have a wealth of knowledge about activities and provision for children in this area. I have spent many years in a variety of jobs, including personnel and customer services. But the most rewarding of these have been when I have been involved with children. I have worked as a playgroup assistant and youth worker, and when Amy started school I decided that it was time to fulfil my dream of becoming a childminder. Therefore alongside working as a customer services advisor I studied to become a registered childminder.
My intention with my childminding service is to provide a “home from home” where children in my care will feel calm, happy and stimulated. Having sent my own children to childminders I understand the value that such a service can provide, and how important it is that children are happy and well cared for. I also understand the need to provide parents with information and honest feedback regarding their child's day to day routine, including what they have been doing, what they have enjoyed or disliked, how long they have slept (if applicable), what they have eaten and their general behaviour.
In terms of qualifications, I have a B-TEC National Diploma in social care, I have a Paediatric First Aid Certificate which is updated every three years and I have attained an Introduction to Childcare Practice qualification. This course was Unit 1 of the Diploma in Home-based Childcare and it is my intention to sit the other four units as soon as possible in order to complete the diploma. I am committed to continuing education and hope to regularly undertake training courses. I became Ofsted registered in February 2005. I have public liability insurance and home and car insurance that are suitable for the purpose of childminding. I am also a member of the National Childminding Association.
