Sunday 5 February 2012
Published: 11/03/2010 08:55 - Updated: 11/03/2010 09:31

Childcare couple praised for their 'natural outlook'

A COUPLE from Stevenage have been honoured by Ofsted at a celebration recognising outstanding childcare across England.
 
Chair of Ofsted Zenna Atkins, with Karen and John Fitzpatrick
Chair of Ofsted Zenna Atkins, with Karen and John Fitzpatrick
Karen and John Fitzpatrick set up a childminding business after leaving their jobs as research scientists within the pharmaceutical industry.
 
The couple currently look after nine children aged from five months to 8 years from across North Herts  and focus on using changes in nature and the outside to help deliver learning opportunities such as the changes in the seasons and the life-cycles of plants and animals.
 
The children have been taken to see wheat being harvested and to a water mill where they had the opportunity to grind flour from which they made their own bread.
 
Mr Fitzpatrick: “I find the nicest thing is being part of the community and being able to share that feeling with the children. When you commute you don’t know your neighbours.”
 
As part of involving the children in their community and introducing them to people, the couple invited a local policeman to meet the children in their care to teach them about ‘stranger danger’ and visited the local fire station.
 
Chair of Ofsted Zenna Atkins, who is pictured with Karen and John, said: “I wholeheartedly congratulate them on their success and hard work in delivering such high standards.
 
Excellence does not happen by chance, these providers have a real drive to inspire, challenge, and support children.”
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