A CHILDMINDER from Okehampton is one of just three finalists to make it onto the shortlist for an Excellence in Childcare award.
Estelle Wright was nominated for the Prima Childcarer of the Year Award for her 'exceptional extras' which are above and beyond the call of duty.
She has been looking after children from her Okehampton home for 18 years and with her husband David, who is also a childminder, provides all-day care for under fives and after school care for older children.
The outright winner of the award, who receives £2,000 of holiday vouchers, will be announced at a star-studded gala dinner at The Savoy in London on June 26.
Estelle currently cares for eight children from the ages of one to 13 including Lewis Johns whose mum Heather nominated the childminder.
Heather, a midwife at Okehampton District Hospital, said there was no-one more deserving to receive the award,
'She is absolutely brilliant and takes the children on trips, nature walks, and sledging in the winter. David is a great role model for the boys and takes them fishing and plays football with them.
'It's all the exceptional extras that Estelle provides that makes her so special and the children are like her extended family — next to having my mum looking after Lewis, I cannot think of anyone else I would rather have. She is like a surrogate grannie.'
All the children Estelle currently looks after have been with her since they were babies and she said this was one of the nicest things about the job.
'It is like watching flowers opening up — it is great to see them grow and develop as individuals,' she said.
'It is is very flattering to be nominated for this award but childminding is just something I love doing.'
The childcare finalist has three grown-up children and no grandchildren as yet but she added: 'I do not miss out on grandchildren because I have lots of others to look after and I can still hand them back at the end of the day.'
Estelle said each parent had different ideas about looking after their children and she was always guided by them.
'I do what they want and treat each one as an individual,' she said. 'I try to give them as much stimulation as possible and the trips to the zoo, nature parks, aquariums and the beach are all part of that.
'We also do loads of cooking — it makes a lot of mess but I do not care. We all have a great time.'
The Excellence in Childcare Awards, in association with Nursery World and Prima magazines, are the creation of national childcare charity Kids' Clubs Network. The charity campaigns for safe, affordable, reliable and high quality childcare for all those who need it.
The shortlist of three was whittled down from 50 nominations and the two runners up will receive cash prizes of £500.