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The Story Behind Childmindingpaperwork.com
Hello....
...my name is Sam, and I live in Greater Manchester with my family, including our cheeky cockapoo. My heart has always been in early years, and that’s shaped every step of my journey.
I began my career as a teacher, then moved into childminding for a better family balance, where I discovered how much calmer and more confident everything feels when the paperwork actually supports you. While running my setting, I started creating clear, practical documents to help other childminders feel organised and reassured.
I also founded the Friendly Childminders Facebook group, a warm, welcoming space where childminders can connect, share, and feel part of something supportive and kind.
As my paperwork grew, it became childmindingpaperwork.com, and later expanded into The Hub — a project I loved, tested, and eventually paused so I could refocus on what truly makes the biggest difference: paperwork that helps childminders reclaim their time and feel confident in their practice.
Today, I balance a part‑time job with running childmindingpaperwork.com, pouring everything I’ve learned as a teacher, childminder, creator and community‑builder into resources that make admin easier, clearer and far less stressful.
Supporting childminders...
Alongside Blue Button Childcare and childmindingpaperwork.com, I also set up a private Facebook group to find support and solidarity amongst other childminders.
I am really proud to say it now has nearly 10000 lovely members who provide support, reassurance and advice for one another!
You can find out more about this group here!
About the paperwork business...
When I made the leap from teaching to childminding it was definitely harder than I thought it would be; I didn't have the support of colleagues to bounce ideas off which left isolating and I found myself responsible for every single childminding and business decision, which took some getting used too!
It took me a while to find my feet and put my business head on, but by the end of the first year, I fully enjoyed being my own boss and most importantly, I learnt to trust my own instincts! One of the biggest problems I faced was not being able to find paperwork I liked that was professional, good quality, aesthetically please and did the job of recording or communicating the information it was designed for!
As a teacher, I used an online system to track the progress of my children, which worked well in a large setting. However, as a childminder I wanted something more personal, and to be able to give my families a tangible reminder of their children's adventures during their first years at Blue Button Childcare.
This led me to create my own Early Years Outcomes Tracker and Observations Sheet that was simple to complete, easy for parents to understand and also looked appealing. After receiving some compliments about it, I decided to put it out there and it turned out that other people liked it too - this was a long while ago now and things have changed!
Since then, I've written more paperwork packs simply because I needed them and I figured other childminders would find them useful too. This strategy worked out well, because I was a childminder who is (still) fussy about paperwork and gives great attention to the details!
Over time, the focus has shifted to supporting fellow childminders with their own paperwork needs and this is what I continue to do!
What's next...
Now my role is focused on being an 'admin ace' who helps childminders shine behind the scenes (I have to credit AI for that tag line), I have grand plans to continue providing support in a variety of ways!
I am also moving away from the 'Blue Button' chapter, and focusing on the straight forward 'childminding paperwork', hence the website's rebrand!
I think I will aways champion childminders - I've always cared for children, but now it's time to support childminders, so they can spend more time nurturing and educating the children in their care!
Alongside my paperwork, I am also building a subscription service to support childminders with all aspects of their businesses and it should be available by the end of 2025! For more information on the Friendly Childminders' Hub, please have a nosey here.
