"My house has at times been a pirate ship, a desert island, a castle and other magical places where children can play happily and safely."
Pauline is a registered childminder, with 3 children of her own and 6 grandchildren. She enjoys pub quizzes, knitting and using computers.
I wanted to tell my story as I have been in childcare for 40 years. I wanted to encourage others to join the best and most rewarding job in the world.
In 1964 when I was 16, I became a live-in nanny to Jeraint, 2 1/2 years old and Justine, 7 months old. Jeraint used to sneeze when he looked at the sun and Justine used to smile and melt my heart. How I loved them. After a few years, through circumstances, I lost contact with them. When I left I was given a little white china dove that had been Justines and the children stayed with me through photos and memories. Many years down the line I happened to be watching a news report on the television and recognised their father. My heart took a leap. I saw a way to make contact with them again; to find out how they were and what they looked like as young adults. They lived on a houseboat, in London, on the river Thames. When I stepped onto the houseboat, I saw a young woman in jeans and a sloppy brown jumper, with her hair in plaits and a great big grin on her face. Justine and I hugged each other and it was like those years had just melted away. I have remained in childcare ever since 1964. My house has at times been a pirate ship, a desert island, a castle and other magical places where children can play happily and safely. As I approach my 40th year I remember the reason why I love doing what I do. And, as I look at the little white dove that I have kept all these years, I remember Justine, Jeraint and a 16 year old who loved them very much, who lost them and found them again. |
