Project Description
Lori Davidson is a Childminder based in the town of Leslie, Fife. Having worked in Childcare for over 10 years, Lori began her career in a private nursery where she completed her SVQ 3 Childcare and Development while working as a nursery assistant before progress to a nursery nurse / early years officer. For the last 8 years Lori has been a registered childminder, running her own business from home while also being a mum to her two children. Lori has always had a passion for childcare.
‘My usual day starts at 6am to prepare for children being dropped off at 7:30am. I provide breakfast, drop children off at school/ nursery, attend toddler sessions and school/ nursery pick-ups while also providing lunch and dinner. Days are always busy, so I enjoy the school holidays when there is less structure to our day and more outdoor learning, activities and days out.
I have completed many courses over the years from paediatric first aid, child protection, food hygiene and recently return to work courses following covid-19 (Prevention of covid-19 and infection control). I have developed a range of skills over the years from communicating with parents confidently, prioritising tasks and being an approachable and adaptable to both the child and parent’s needs. I have met so many amazing people through my work and used the experience and guidance of others to develop as a childminder.
My job allows me to build strong relationships with the children and their parent’s, so it makes it hard when a child moves on or transitions onto another stage of their development. This is probably the most difficult part of my job having invested so much time to these young people. There is also a great deal of paperwork, which part of the job I enjoy least but it is a requirement of the job.
Being a childminder is hugely rewarding, you experience children developing through different stages, from a baby taking its first steps or say their first words, first day at nursery or school. It’s a nice feeling to know you have had an impact on a child’s progress. I would recommend a career in childcare; it often doesn’t feel like a job as I am doing something I love.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on my work. Unfortunately, I have not been able to care for my usual cohort of children, and my house is much quieter. I am looking forward to the children returning, getting back into a routine and being busy again, hopefully soon.’
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