Local MP celebrates National Childminding Week

1.58.48pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 2nd Jul 2007

Mark celebrating National Childminding Week with local children and childminder

Cheadle MP, Mark Hunter joined several local children and their childminder to celebrate National Childminding Week on Friday 22nd June.

Stockport registered childminder, Julie Carr, of Cheadle Hulme, who is part of the Children Come First childminding network, hosted the visit and showed Mr Hunter the benefits a registered childminder can provide for families. Mr Hunter joined in with the children's activities and a celebratory tea at the childminder's home.

This event was part of National Childminding Week 2007, organised by the National Childminding Association (NCMA), which ran from Saturday 16 June to Saturday 23 June. The week - with the theme "supporting families" - promoted the work registered childminders and nannies do in supporting families. Childminders were set a childminding challenge to speak to five new people about childminding during the week and had special "ask me about childcare" badges to wear.

Speaking after the event Mr Hunter said, "I was very pleased to be able to get involved with National Childminding Week. It is very important to raise awareness of the work that registered childminders and nannies do to support families and children, not just with childcare, and its great that this week has been able to raise awareness of this work. Having used a registered childminder myself, I know first-hand the value they bring to the community."

Julie Carr, Registered Childminder said, "It was great to meet my local MP and I was delighted that he came to help me celebrate National Childminding Week. I was pleased to have the opportunity to explain how registered childminders support families and children throughout the year. Mr Hunter clearly had fun joining in the children's activities too!"