Magic of Childminding

Small settings, big learning, real connections.

Coram PACEY
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Magic of Childminding: Samantha and Billy

Spotlight on Samantha and Billy

Childminder Samantha works full time with her husband Billy, who is registered as her assistant. They have just celebrated the business’ fifth anniversary in November 2025. Together, they wanted to create a setting that would be an extension of their home with opportunities for purposeful play and learning through real-life experiences

Samantha has always worked in childcare and education. Her last job, before she became a childminder, was as a teaching assistant at a primary school and then stay at home mother. Billy was working as a groundsman at Premier League football clubs before joining her.

The idea of working together as a family inspired Samantha to start her childcare business. Already being qualified to work in nurseries and schools, they didn’t want to send their own child to another setting and then, as demand in their local area grew, they had an amazing opportunity to become a family team.

“There is magic to becoming an extension of the families we work with, creating a very unique and special bond with the children, sharing and celebrating those first moments that happen across the early years. The magic is being present and in the moment, knowing and giving babies and children what they need to thrive.”

Samantha

Making children feel loved

In Samantha’s setting, every child is truly loved. Children feel safe and valued, they play and explore with confidence knowing they have a cherished relationship with both Samantha and Billy. They provide real-life experiences such as cooking and baking, allow for independent play with adult input to extend their knowledge and development.

Samantha and Billy celebrate each child, knowing how that child learns, plays, settles if they get upset. They know their individual personalities through and through. One of Samantha’s favourite things to see is their face light up when they see something she’s added to the playtime. To Samantha, there’s nothing better than hearing or seeing a child use a word you’ve taught them, an opportunity you’ve given them and added to their play.

Working with families and communities

Something they love to do in their setting is the social events they host; coffee mornings, BBQs and special events across the year. The children explore their local community through outings to the supermarket, parks and cafès but also through bigger trips across the year like to the zoo, farms, the seaside and castles! They invite special guests into their home such as Bollywood dancers, African drummers and henna artists.

Samantha and Billy’s relationships with parents start on strong, trusting foundations, something they develop very early to give the parents and children a secure attachment as they continue to their journey together. They provide parents with honest advice, guidance and support, sharing experience as parents and professionals. Their families know they are part of their village and community. Because of this, can support families as individuals.

“Longer term, childminders help children to develop a sense of self. We’re developing skills that aren’t just for school readiness but life readiness. Learning how to eat independently, putting on their coat and shoes, selecting toys and resources they’re interested in and how we can build on that, the children are learning how to be individuals, understanding their own needs, wants, likes and interests, within a community of other children at different ages and stages learning social skills from one another. They develop more now than at any other point in their lives; that’s a responsibility we take with extreme care and understanding ”

Samantha

"Samantha is a young, passionate and highly knowledgeable childminder that does so much for the the children she cares for, the families she supports and her peers in the childminding profession. Alongside her husband Billy, she has built a warm, welcoming and successful childminding practice that I hope many new and prospective childminders can aspire to.

It is clear that the young children in their setting are loved, supported and celebrated as individuals but also part of a wider community that Samantha has intentionally built. Settings like Samantha's just go to show how important childminders are to a community and why we need more of them if even the smallest pockets of the country."