My name is Janice Patterson and I started work for Sure Start Newburn Children`s Centre on 3 August 2009 as a part time temporary administration assistant.  I am enjoying the work and looking forward to the start of the school term when a lot more activities begin.

My name is Joyce Shaw and I was appointed in July to be the Outer West Childminder Network Co-ordinator. A Childminder Network is a formally constituted group of childminders who meet a set of quality assured standards set by the National Childminding Association (extra to those standards set by Ofsted). My job as co-ordinator of the Network is to assess the childminders for entry into the network and then carry out monitoring every 6-8 weeks in the childminders home. The Network also meets on a regular basis to share best practice and undertake professional development.

In the coming months I will be developing the Childminder Network across the Outer West and meet as many childminders as possible so you may see me at events, childminder drop-ins or receive correspondence from me if you are a childminder.