Childcare that’s Taylor made

Jon Paul and Sarah Taylor, of Taylor Made Childminders

A Countryside Ranger and a travelling automated systems fitter becoming child minders may sound like a big change but for Rochdale husband and wife team, the Taylor’s, it seemed like a logical step.

Sarah Taylor has over 15 years’ experience working with children (as a Countryside Ranger, a Cub Scout Leader, Assistant Teacher, Nanny and Camp America Counsellor) so to her childcare is just child’s play. But for her husband, Jon Paul Taylor, it’s been a bit more of a life change. He has spent his career travelling the world working as an installation supervisor and fitter for automated material handling systems (cranes, conveyors, robots and shuttle cars). With most of his time spent away from the family – his wife and their three young children – he felt it was time to come home for good.

The duo started Taylor Made Childminders in May 2012 and have both enrolled with Hopwood Hall College’s training division, Training @ Hopwood, in order to gain the qualifications they need to build their business. They are studying for a Diploma in Children & Young Peoples Workforce with Jon Paul currently working towards gaining a Level 2 and Sarah is doing a Level 3. These work based learning qualifications are delivered face to face in the couple’s home - this method of learning allows them the time to spend with their growing business and helps them maintain their own family contact. In addition, both Sarah and Jon Paul have attended regular training sessions at the College, covering all aspects of childcare including child development, child protection, first aid and healthy eating.

Commenting on their studies with Hopwood Hall College, the duo said: “It’s so much more relaxed than attending college classes. We have established a great working relationship with our tutor/assessor and feel that we can confidently discuss our course and learning with her, whereas in a class situation we wouldn’t perhaps feel confident enough. We have one to one support and if we are struggling with something we don’t have to wait until the next class, we can simply pick up the phone.”

Sarah adds: “I am a firm believer in the idea that children learn best when happy, so we strive to ensure that the children in our care not only are cared for physically and educationally, but also emotionally.” Jon Paul says: “We have just started as child minders but are we are very excited about our new business looking to grow in the near future. Our business is going from strength to strength and we recently received the welcome news that we are now accredited for children accessing the two year old and three year old grants.”

Taylor Made Childminders offer full and part time child care between the hours of 7am and 6pm. The husband and wife team take great pride in their child minding services and offer the children a ‘home from home’ whilst their parents are at work.