Oldham childminder inspires next generation after career change

Kerry Keenan swapped her call centre headset for a childminding career 12 years ago when her youngest daughter was born, and she's never looked back. The Royton mum wanted a job that could flex around her family's needs while giving her more meaning than answering phones all day.

Now running Kerry Keenan Childminding Service with her friend Michelle Dixon, who joined six years ago after Ms Keenan cared for her daughter, the pair look after children from just four months old up to 11 years. They offer wraparound care before and after school, helping working parents juggle their schedules.

The job isn't like work at all, Ms Keenan says. 'The children come in happy, they leave happy, and some children don't want to go home because we have that much fun.' One child has been with her since four months old and is now about to start high school, telling Ms Keenan she 'never wants to leave.

The service provides more than just childcare-they help with food routines, sleep patterns, and behaviour challenges. 'We're trying to instil resilience into these children and making sure they're happy and thriving and ready for that next step into school,' Ms Keenan explains. Councillor Shaid Mushtaq praised early years workers, saying 'Every smile, every story, every helping hand can change the course of a child's life.