I have an 12 year old son and have been a childminder in my own home since he was 14 months old. In that time I have looked after many children from 4 months up until 11 years of age when they have left me for senior school. Now that my son is older, I would prefer to use my skills for 1 family as I find that working in my own home, I am always at work and there is more and more unnecessary paperwork required by Ofsted. My main concern is a child's safety and so I ensure that the activities and outings that we do are both child friendly - fun and safe! If we try somewhere new, I prefer to go alone first to ensure the layout and equipment is suitable for all the ages that I look after and is safe. We do craft activities at home, but I prefer to get the children out in all weathers (wrapped up snug and warm, of course in the winter). I take them out every day, either playgroup, feeding the ducks, soft play areas, arts and crafts groups, book and toy libraries. During the school holidays we go further afield and our most recent trips were local parks and farms.