Childminders do their bit during pandemic
‘Reaching out to families has been so rewarding’
An Abernethy childminder decided to help Perth and Kinross Council provide childcare during the coronavirus outbreak after being inspired by friends working in intensive care units.
Mel Davies, who runs the Smile Factory, is one of the army of childminders supporting the response to COVID-19.
Perth and Kinross has also set up six children’s activity centres and is using partner providers to look after hundreds of children each week so their parents are free to work as normal.
Mel said: “I had childminding friends who were already signed up so I knew childminders were helping.
“Once I was closed to my existing families and having close friends working in intensive care units in hospital, I had to do what I could to help too so I got in touch with Perth and Kinross Council.”
Mel, like other childminders, has had to adapt to difficult circumstances.
She said: “Mainly it’s been ensuring welfare and needs of the children are met in extremely unusual circumstances. Usually, we would meet many times with parents to get lots of information about their children.
“I’ve worked very hard to form a rapport with the children and carers in record time. There have been lots of WhatsApp, phone conversations and strategies to make the little ones feel valued, cared about and safe in a new environment.”
Mel added: “I feel I’m contributing in this awful time when people are sick and losing their lives. The gratitude of the parents I’m helping too is lovely.”
She said she has received support from Perth and Kinross Council, including regular teleconferences using Microsoft Teams and deliveries of PPE.
“I’m so grateful for the continued contact and availability of help and advice,” she said.
Other childminders have also said they have found rising to the challenges presented by coronavirus rewarding.
Emma Duncan said: “For myself it was an easy decision to do my bit to help but I also had to take my husband and children’s feelings into account.
“After considering the possible increase in risk involved with taking other children into our home at this time, as a family we all decided that if we could help other local families who might otherwise not have support, then we were happy to help.”
Hazel Clark is looking after children from a couple of families
She said: “It has been rewarding to know that I am doing my bit to help those vulnerable families within the community.
“It is rewarding as always to watch the children grow and develop in such a short space of time, knowing that I am helping make a difference.”
Dawn Sime added: “I got involved with this to help key workers return to work knowing their children would be in safe hands.
“During this stressful time parents can’t use grandparents due to distancing rules.”
Louise Walker said: “Watching the children settle in to my home as a strange and new environment has been very rewarding. As has the look of relief on the parents faces when they pick them up happy and smiling, unaware of the full extent of what is going on.
“They’ve had a great day and can’t wait to show off what they have been doing.”
Registered childminders who are available to provide childcare for the children of key workers, particularly those under the age of two, should email childcare@pkc. gov.uk
Childminders will be paid for looking after children within their own homes in line with Care Inspectorate and Scottish Government guidance.