This week (11-17 May) is Childminding Week 2026 - an annual celebration of the vital role that childminders in England and Wales play in shaping children and families’ lives.
Coram PACEY has today (12 May) launched a major new report titled the Magic of Childminding.
It sets out the transformational impact that childminders in England and Wales have on children, families, local communities and the wider early years and childcare sector.
Coram PACEY is using Childminding Week 2026 and the launch of the report to call for greater governmental support and recognition of childminders and their work, urging them to act to reverse the decline in childminders in England and Wales.
Read the report via the link in our bio.
#ChildmindingWeek2026 #MagicofChildminding
#WeAreCoram @coram.uk
“Childminders are at the heart of our early years system, providing high quality, flexible care where children can thrive from their earliest days. Their support is invaluable, especially for children with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
We’re committed to giving every child the best start in life, and that means backing every part of our early years workforce. I congratulate Coram PACEY on launching the Magic of Childminding campaign and welcome the spotlight it shines on the extraordinary dedication of childminders across England."
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson
Today, Coram PACEY's #magicofchildminding campaign celebrates the vital role childminders play in supporting children, families and communities across England and Wales and encouraging more parents to choose childminding as an option for their family.
It is a love letter to the childminding profession. We want childminders to feel seen, valued and supported by the early years sector and general public because without childminders, we would lose the magic of these home-from-home settings that all children and families deserve to experience.
What do we want you to do:
1) Download the campaign's digital social images and share on your social pages using the hashtag #magicofchildminding
2) Reach out to your local authority, ask if they have seen the campaign and what they are doing to support it and the childminders in your area.
3) Reflect on your own amazing practice and your impact on the children you care for. We want to hear from you and use your examples in our ‘Magic of Childminding’ report.
Visit our website or the link in our bio to get involved. Drop us a comment about what is magical about your setting!
Coram PACEY Regional Childminder Awards 2026🪄 We’re delighted to announce the winner for London is...
🥇 Monira Begum
"I feel truly honoured and humbled to receive this award. To be recognised within a profession that often goes unseen, unknown and undervalued means more than words can express. Childminding is not just childcare, it is helping raise tomorrow’s world, little people who will one day re shape society for the better.
I often say this, we are CEOs (Chief Everything Officers): educators, cooks, carers, cleaners, dieticians, counsellors, referees, first aiders, fire marshals, sleep whisperers and often a child’s first best friend outside of their family. Behind the scenes we wear countless hats with love, patience and dedication, helping children feel safe, valued and confident enough to thrive. We help many adults ease into parenthood too.
This award is not just for me in London, but for all my fellow amazing childminders who quietly give their hearts to this profession every single day.”
🌟 Runner-up: Carol Kerrey
Congratulations Monira and Carol! 👏
#ChildmindingWeek26 #MagicOfChildminding ✨
Coram PACEY Regional Childminder Awards 2026🪄 We’re delighted to announce the winner for Southeast England is...
🥇 Daisy Tucker
"I’m so honoured and humbled to receive this award from Coram PACEY. I’m proud to stand alongside such amazing individuals and celebrate the work we do as childminders. I feel incredibly lucky to do a job I love every day, one that truly lives in my heart, and share it with fantastic small humans who fill my heart with joy!"
🌟 Runner-up: Vikkie Murray
@littleacornschildminderbanbury
Congratulations Daisy and Vikkie! 👏
#ChildmindingWeek26 #MagicOfChildminding
Coram PACEY Regional Childminder Awards 2026🪄 We’re delighted to announce the winner for Northwest England is...
🥇 Noreen Ismail
""Winning this award is a huge honour and reflects my commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences for children, supporting families and sharing practice within the wider early years sector. I hope it also highlights the valuable role childminders play in shaping children’s lives and supporting their communities."
🌟 Runner-up: Lisa Jeffries
@lcschildminding
Congratulations Noreen and Lisa! 👏
#ChildmindingWeek26 #MagicOfChildminding ✨
@manchestercitycouncil
Coram PACEY Regional Childminder Awards 2026🪄 We’re delighted to announce the winner for North Wales is...
🥇 Jacqui Gill
"Winning this award means so much to me. At Apple Tree Tots, we've worked hard to create a warm, nurturing environment with fantastic facilities where children can be curious, learn, explore and thrive.
I'm incredibly proud of our amazing team I have and so grateful to all the families who continue to support us. This award is truly for everyone involved"
Congratulations Jacqui 👏
#ChildmindingWeek26 #MagicOfChildminding ✨
Coram PACEY Regional Childminder Awards 2026🪄 We’re delighted to announce the winner for South Wales is...
🥇 Claire Nicholls-De Freitas
"Winning this award means the world to me. Munchkinos began in September 2008, and this award recognises years of love, hard work, outdoor adventures, and community. I’m so proud to share it with my husband Toni, the children and their families who all make up Munchkinos."
🌟 Runner-up: Sarah Sharpe
@poppinsdaycarechildminder
Congratulations Claire and Sarah!
👏
#ChildmindingWeek26 #MagicOfChildminding ✨
Coram PACEY Regional Childminder Awards 2026🪄 We’re delighted to announce the winner for the West Midlands is...
🥇 Imogen Eyre
"To be recognised for the work I do is a huge honour. I believe deeply in the power a high-quality early education can have on the trajectory of a child's life and receiving this award makes me all the more confident in the importance of the work I do."
🌟 Runner-up: Caitlin Smith @theflowercottage110
Congratulations Imogen and Caitlin! 👏
#ChildmindingWeek26 #MagicOfChildminding ✨
@staffordshirecountycouncil
On Tuesday 12 May, we celebrated the launch of our Magic of Childminding report. It was wonderful to see so many people from across the early years sector come together to support childminders and the work we do at Coram PACEY.
Special thanks to Samantha Beech, Priya Kanabar and Annette Kingsley-Scott for sharing so passionately why they love childminding, and to Sue Robb, Laura Henry-Allain MBE and Dame Carol Homden for speaking about the vital role childminders play in the sector.
Read the report via the link in our bio.
#MagicOfChildminding #ChildmindingWeek26
Coram PACEY Regional Childminder Awards 2026🪄 We’re delighted to announce the winner for Southwest England is...
🥇 Helping Hands Childminding
"Winning Childminder of the Region means so much to me and my team. It reflects the love, care, teamwork and dedication we give every child and family each day, and we are incredibly proud to be recognised for doing what we truly love” — Hannah Watts
Congratulations!👏
#ChildmindingWeek26 #MagicOfChildminding ✨
@devoncountycouncil
From one of our amazing childminders! 👣
Sarah Sharpe @poppinsdaycarechildminder shares outdoor adventures, curious questions, and learning all about creepy crawlies together 🌿🐞✨
We’re celebrating the Magic of Childminding! 🪄
#ChildmindingWeek26 #MagicOfChildminding
@corampaceycymru
We were so pleased to be invited to a stay and play today hosted by an amazing group of childminders in Hertfordshire, who have been supporting each other for over 30 years.
A big thank you to Sonia and Claire for bringing us together with eight childminders and their children. It was a great chance to chat about training, membership, community and support.
We’re already looking forward to heading back in July for their summer celebration!
Thank you to the Coram PACEY team Ellyse and Issy 🎈🎨
#ChildmindingWeek26 #MagicOfChildminding
