Coram PACEY to host a drop-in Childminder clinic at the Coram PACEY stand. Run by experienced childminders and Coram PACEY experts who will answer any queries on funding, Ofsted inspection changes, Safeguarding reform changes and how to start, build and grow a childminding business. Over the two days, you can speak to:
Friday 20th March
Coram PACEY Advisor - Zara Smith
Initially starting as a childminder, Zara has extensive experience in the early years education sector. She currently manages and oversees three early years settings for her local YMCA. Zara also has extensive experience writing and delivering training to early years professionals on a wide range of topics including SEND. Zara is now Writer and Editor of Childcare Professional magazine and works in the Education and Training team at Coram PACEY.
Childminder - Annette Kingsley-Scott
Based in London, Annette registered as a childminder in 2003, providing consistent, personalised, inclusive and supportive childcare. She is passionate about providing first-hand learning experiences to children as it provides meaningful and memorable learning. Annette is also a qualified teacher and Forest School Leader. She undertakes continuous professional development and is constantly striving to provide the best possible homebased childminding and early education to those in her care. Achievements include: Ofsted Outstanding grade, Childminder SENCO of the Year (2024), The Royal Horticultural Society 5 Star Gardening School and Lambeth Natural Thinkers Setting.
Childminder - Priya Kanabar
Priya has been childminding for 13 years and her dedication to the sector shines through in her mentoring work and promotion of her profession and support to peers. She often contributes to Coram PACEY articles and has written her own book about childminding. Priya currently employs an apprentice named Jack under the apprenticeship scheme and revels in being able to mentor other rising stars in the sector.
Saturday 21st March
Coram PACEY Advisor - Pat Tomlinson
Pat brings a wealth of experience in the early years and childcare sector to our clinic. She first registered as a childminder in 1989 and also spent seven years as a foster carer. She has been a childminding development worker, helped set up a local childminding group and has run an under fives’s group for more than 12 years. Qualifying as a trainer in 2000, Pat has delivered training for her local college in Sheffield as well as running training programmes across the country and online for Coram PACEY. Pat qualified as an assessor in 2012 and since then has worked freelance and also as a Coram PACEY associate.
Childminder - Samantha Beech
Samantha Beech is an Early Years educator and award-winning childminder with over 15 years’ experience across schools and nurseries. She founded Mini Moon’s home nursery in 2020 and is known for creating a safe, calm, home-from-home setting where children thrive through play, purposeful learning, and real-life experiences. Samantha is also a Community Coach and registration consultant, supporting other professionals across the childcare sector. Last year she started working with other departments, organisations and professionals on a range of projects and panels within the early years and education sector.
Childminder - Vicky Walsh
Vicky Walsh is an experienced Early Years Practitioner and the owner of Curious Learners Childcare. She has been a registered childminder since 2009, entering the profession after being unable to find a childcare provider that offered the level of care and service she wanted for her sons. Her lived experience continues to shape her uncompromising commitment to high quality, child centred provision.
