Maxine began work with children after completing NNEB (nursery nursing) education. In 1999 opened an English Language Day Care Centre for the under 5s in Holland and provided day care within the expat, English speaking community. In 2003 Maxine and Neil returned to the UK to be closer to family and became registered as childminders in order to provide private day care in a home setting. Maxine is a university graduate with a postgraduate certificate in applied social sciences. She is now an award winning Level Three Network Childminder and Specialist Childminder in Early Years Education. As well as being a Qualified Teacher with the specialism in Early Years Education, Maxine holds Early Years Professional Status. This is a level 6, post graduate qualification and the highest level attainable in Early Years Provision. Maxine has paediatric first aid training and is CRB police checked and inspected.

Neil’s background includes psychiatric health and auxiliary nursing and in 2001 he became a foster carer working closely with the Home Office to provide residential care for war orphans. Neil registered as a childminder in 2003 and works alongside Maxine to provide exceptional child day care and an excellent role model as a male carer. Neil is a university graduate and holds Early Years Professional Status and Qualified Teacher Status within the 0-5 age group. Neil has previous experience as a water sports instructor teaching special needs children with multiple disabilities and he has advanced paediatric first aid and lifesaving training. He has attended Forest School teacher training. Neil is CRB police checked and inspected.

We have a dog, Sassie, a standard poodle. She is part of our team and loved by all the children. ‘Sassie’ is often a first word! Sassie works as a doorbell, a hearing aid and a Hoover sometimes as well! There has been abundant research that demonstrates wide-ranging benefits to children from pets. The psychological benefits are well proven. Studies have shown that children who grow up around animals develop into more confident, socially adept individuals. There is also evidence that children develop better immune systems as a result of having pets. Please be assured that the children are always supervised while with the pets. Hygienic practice is taught and observed. We have a pet’s policy document that you can view on our policies page.

"One test of the correctness of educational procedure is the happiness of the child."

"Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed."

"Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world."

"We especially need imagination in science. It is not all mathematics, nor all logic, but it is somewhat beauty and poetry."

“Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence.”

“The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, "The children are now working as if I did not exist.”

Select Childcare 01392 460230
Maxine@selectchildcare.co.uk