Media.
Childminders take home business award
By Ashley Barnard @abarnardecho
Reporter (Richmond)
A CHILDMINDING service in Richmond has been presented with a business excellence award.
Midget Gems Childcare received the Business Excellence Award 2020 for Winner of Personal Services.
The Original Richmond Business and Tourism Association organised the event, the winners were announced by David Kerfoot MBE – the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire and Chair of the Local Enterprise Council. The seven judges included the Earl of Ronaldshay among other experienced directors, university lecturers and successful business leaders.
Sarah Butler, owner of Midget Gems Childcare, said: "We were over the moon to be shortlisted at the beginning of the year, and so excited to be announced as the winner, beating many other marvellous businesses. Yesterday we popped open the champagne and all agreed it was lovely to be professionally appreciated and rewarded for our dedication and hard work."
"We would also like to thank the families, parents, grandparents and of course the 32 children that make Midget Gems today."
9th October 2015
Youngsters become Dementia Friends
By Ashley Barnard
CHILDREN at an after school club at Richmond's Midget Gems Childcare have qualified as Dementia Friends after a visit from the Alzheimer's Society. The childcare provider, rated as outstanding by Ofsted, in Parsons Court, Richmond, saw many of its after school club members receiving badges saying they were Dementia Friends, and are helping to change the way people think, talk and act about dementia.
The interactive session was led by Linda Haggie, services manager of the Alzheimer's Society based at Garget Walker House in Olav Road, Richmond.
Sarah Butler, owner and manager of Midget Gems Childcare, said: "We all had a great time, learning more about the brain and how it can become muddled and confused as we become older.
"The four to ten-year-old children talked about how someone with dementia would feel.
"They participated in an exercise passing a ball of wool to each other, which weaved an intricate pattern like inside our brain.
"Linda then used scissors to cut the wool to show how the message channels within our brains can break so people with dementia forget and become confused."
3rd May 2019
Children meet local members of the emergency services
By Ashley Barnard @abarnardecho
Reporter (Richmond)
YOUNGSTERS have had a taste of life as a member of the emergency services after police and fire crews came to visit Midget Gems Childcare.
The Richmond-based childminder, run by Sarah Butler, was visited on Wednesday by PCSO Nicole Randall in a police van.
Ms Butler said the children were thrilled to try on police clothing, sit in the van and even try on a pair of handcuffs, before proudly giving their guest a tour of their play rooms and garden.
She said: "This term we are looking at people in our community, and the different jobs people do.
"We provide hands-on experiences for the children to see things beyond their usual setting, which helps create links in their learning.
"We talked about calling the 999 and 101 numbers, and they all learned about evidence and taking finger prints. Nicole also showed the children her radio, which they thought was like a walkie-talkie.
"The children were beautifully behaved and gave her a tour of the woods where they build dens, and the play rooms."
The fire service paid a visit in the afternoon, providing more excitement for the nine children, aged between one and four.
