Coram PACEY is delighted to announce the winners of our Home-based Childcare Awards!
This year, we are celebrating the very best in home-based childcare across England and Wales. From childminders, nannies and childminding assistants, to wraparound businesses, longevity and community heroes, we cover the whole umbrella of home-based childcare and education. It’s time! Here are 2025’s winners and runners up.
Here are your winners…
Sam Goldsworthy
Childminder of the Year Winner
Mark Orsbourn
Childminding Assistant of the Year Winner
“After taking early retirement from a multi-billion-pound organisation, where I held a Senior Executive position, I decided to channel my energy and experience into something truly meaningful — helping to shape the lives of young children. With a background in marketing and advertising, I’ve developed a strong set of skills in leadership, communication, and creativity, all of which now play a vital role in supporting our childcare setting.”
“I’m known affectionately by the children as ‘Marky’, and that nickname sums me up perfectly — a family man who loves life and is a big kid at heart. I take great pride in being part of an award-winning, OFSTED-registered Outstanding childminding service that’s highly recommended and local, yet affordable.”
“Our goal has always been clear — to unlock each child’s imagination and help lay the foundation for their bright and successful futures.”
Cathy Armstrong
Wraparound business of the Year Winner
“I provide before and after school childcare which celebrates all the usual festivals and yearly celebrations but I try and do most of the craft and learning outside in my garden (whatever the weather!)… I have an enclosed garden which has a mud kitchen (boasting 5 Michelin stars don’t you know!), sand pit, water runs, painting, chalking, lots of sports equipment for fine & gross motor skills, a calm wellbeing table for colouring & planting, a Sensory Garden, a tent with Twinkle lights, cushions & books for reading fiction or non-fiction….. or making up their own stories!
At the end of my garden there is a learning table for plant life cycles & a bug hotel (yes you guessed it, 5 star!!).
I’m incredibly enthusiastic about taking good care of our beautiful planet, as we know, nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something, so we do lots of environmental projects.”
Katie Keating
Wraparound business of the Year Runner up
“I recently gained DFE EXPANSION funding to create a send friendly sensory cabin and employ another staff member to create 6 more spaces. The cabin has changed the children’s behaviour overnight. They have their own space just for them. They are much better regulated, so much calmer and independent as they are able to free choose the resources/games to play with. We have also been able to provide wrap around care for a disabled sibling, enabling the family to attend just one setting making it easier and allowing Dad to work more hours. Send children have a safe, calm space to retreat and the inclusive nature of the cabin has allowed all children to thrive, calm, regulate and accept one another.”
Sinead Gallagher
Nanny of the Year Winner
“Hello! I’m Sinead aka Nanny Nadie — a warm, creative, and dedicated nanny who truly believes that every child deserves to feel safe, loved, and inspired as they grow.”
“As a nanny, I bring warmth, patience, and creativity to every day. I take the time to get to know each child and tailor my approach to their individual needs — whether that means supporting early learning, encouraging independence, or creating imaginative play that sparks joy and curiosity. I believe in gentle guidance, consistency, and plenty of laughter. My goal is always to provide a calm, loving environment where children feel safe, valued, and confident to be themselves.”
“Moments like these remind me that childhood is full of magic — and it’s a privilege to help nurture that sense of wonder every day.”
Casey Higgins
Nanny of the Year Runner up
“I’m passionate about nannying because it allows me to really know each child and family and to build genuine, trusting relationships that make a real difference. I also feel strongly that nannies are the forgotten members of the Early Years sector; there’s often a bit of snobbery towards us, but I’m proud to show just how professional, important and impactful our role truly is.
What I love most about being an ad hoc nanny is the variety! Working with so many different families, cultures, and setups. As a born-and-bred East London girl who started out in Hackney nurseries, that diversity means a lot to me.”
Dawn Williams
Longevity award Winner
“Working through Covid, I teamed up with another childminder from her larger setting, where we were able to provide care for our key worker children as well as being the main contacts for children under social services needing temporary or emergency childcare. This was an absolute privilege to bring some happiness and magic to the lives of children who had experienced a volatile start to their lives. Covid was a turbulent affair for childminders, being self employed and limited government support, so being part of a team with another and building our network was something I am really proud of and we have maintained to this day.”
“I currently have a purpose built cabin in my garden, which we call The Dots Den, with a team of 4 part time staff, one of which I am supporting through her registration as a childminder herself.”
Glenys Jones
Longevity award Runner up
“Hi my name is Glenys Jones or Glennie as I am know by all my children, parents and people within my community . I am 63 years young , this job keeps me on my toes”.
“My current role as a registered childcare provider is to provide a first class service to my parents and children based on my reputation within my 26 years in the job, that reputation is built on trust, honestly and my commitment to excellence.
I create a happy, safe secure environment which tends to the individual needs of each child and I work closely in partnership with the parents/ carers and liaise with other professionals for the best interest of the child.”
Sarah Sharpe
Community hero Winner
“I have an allotment where the children and I spend a lot of time. It’s great to see the children fascinated by plants. Fruits and vegetables and I love that I can provide opportunities for them to understand sustainability and making healthy choices. It’s great for my own mental health and wellbeing too as it provides a calm, peaceful and quiet place to be able to relax. I often invite other childminders to visit so that they can help with weeding or other jobs required and I pay in fruit and by giving them opportunities to be involved without a long term commitment.”
“I arrange events for all Childminders in my [local authority] for example 2 years running now I’ve organised a picnic in the park for Childminding Week. I invited my Local Authority, Local Councillor, Coram Pacey Cymru, Early Years Wales, Flying Start and more. Then I arrange decorate a poppy for Remembrance Day where I raise money for The Royal British Legion. I’m a veteran military wife and lots of childminders are ex forces or have partners currently serving. We have children whose parents are serving so I feel its really important to support our forces families.”
Jean Osbourn
Community Hero Award Runner up
“Our journey began through our own experiences as parents, where we discovered the profound joy of fostering a child’s growth and development. The laughter, curiosity, and boundless energy of children inspired us to create a nurturing setting where every child could flourish. At Happy Kids, our mission is to provide young children — particularly preschoolers — with unique and rewarding early learning experiences that spark imagination and confidence. We take great pride in offering a warm, secure environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to explore the world around them.”
“What truly drives us is the privilege of contributing to each child’s formative years — watching them learn, grow, and develop their own personalities… For us, childminding is far more than a profession — it’s a calling. It fills our hearts with purpose and joy each day as we continue to shape the future, one child at a time.”
