By Victoria Cook
My husband is a musician in the Band of the Welsh Guards and has served for the last 25 years, 20 of those in London.
I had a great but demanding job before we had children. After my boys were born, I knew I had to change jobs so I could be at home with them. The cost of childcare in London is sky high and, like many people, I’d only be working to pay our childcare fees.
After giving up work, I joked with another military wife that I would look after her baby so she could go back to work. Eleven years later, I am a fully qualified childminder and I’ve looked after at least 100 military children.
I’m proud of looking after and working with military children and families. As I’m from the same community, I understand their needs, how hard it can be when partners are away, and they haven’t got the support of family members close by.
I am a constant presence for the children and I can offer support when they don’t always understand why a parent might not be around, or Mummy is upset because Daddy has gone away.
There are a lot of nurseries and childcare providers out there, but not many understand what support a military family might need. One example is when the serving person rings to say: “I can’t get home, can you keep my little one until I can get to you?”
All my staff are and have always been other military partners, giving them the opportunity to work and still be around for their own children. I feel I am empowering them to earn their own money, which allows their confidence to grow.
In October I had the opportunity to take over an old nursery building and expand my business. The space is amazing and the children love it. I now have space for more children which means I have employed more military spouses and my home is my home again!
There are lots of military childminders out there doing an amazing job, providing support and care to families in our community.
So if you have ever thought about becoming a childminder, why not take the leap?