Hidden away in the heart of Bel Ombre, you will find Jenny Julie and the 10 children she looks after. When we came to see her, most of the children were taking a nap. Looking at Jenny and you would never tell that she is now a grandmother; she was almost as lively as the child who had decided not to nap that afternoon.
Why Childminding we asked? She was unemployed, was bored at home by herself, so she decided to give childminding a try. She started small at first then found that she loved working with kids and the rest is history, as the saying goes. When IECD advertised the classes to train individuals to make Childminding an official job, she decided to give it a try.
With her husband as her assistant, everything works well; they are able to work together to provide the children with breakfast lunch and snacks. When he is busy doing essential tasks she supervises them whilst they play indoors or run around playing ball outside. She takes every opportunity to demonstrate good social interaction, basic civility and good manners to them.
The only drawback she has found thus far is having to call all parents one by one to inform them when she has to be absent from work; so she tries as much as possible to avoid doing anything that takes her away from work during the weekdays so to not affect the parents’ schedules. “I don’t like it when my call to them compels them to take a day off work as they bring their children to me so that they don’t have to do that.”
Jenny is very proud of her children, she talks to them a lot so they learn to talk quite early. “They are always happy to come here, they are good kids, and they play very well together.” She also has a great relationship with their parents; some of them bring in things that they no longer need at home and this helps her to save and spend the extra on other essential items for the Children.
Luckily Auntie Jenny didn’t have to do much to modify her house to meet the National standards required. She only had to install a little gate to the kitchen, get a first aid box and had to buy more toys. She says her dedication to the children is rewarding; they never forget her coming around to see her or call out to her when they see her on the street and some often come to visit on Sundays.
Auntie Jenny would whole heartedly encourage other people to join this profession “it is so gratifying, I will do it until I am not longer able. Go ahead and try it, IECD will help protect your rights. Don’t remain illegal.”
