What I like about this book is that it is immediately accessible for anyone with an interest in the field. It's written for people who want to work with children, thinking of moving into the profession or considering starting a childminding business. Whatever group you fall into, this book provides the groundwork, from factors that affect children's behaviour to considering the types of observation and assessments you should use.

The Childminder's Companion is a culmination of Alison Lee's personal experiences as a childminder. Her passion for the field is apparent from the first page and from the chapters covered in the book. She begins with keeping customers happy, which she quite rightly says is no different to any other business. She goes on to explore safety matters at childminders, dealing with parents, encouraging positive behaviour and also considers child development and activities. All of this written with a selfless undertone, epitomising her clear passion in the field.

However, the strengths of the book lie in it’s detail whilst remaining diverse. For instance, Allison explores factors that could influence children’s behaviour. Now, there aren’t just a few topics here covered, Allison goes into great detail on what to consider, such as parental divorce, culture, religion, child abuse and bullying. The book also considers how to handle children at different ages by factoring in their stage of growth and development. No stone goes unturned here.

Allison Lee tackles the potential minefield that is childminding by providing a passionate, in-depth, detailed book. If you are considering moving into the childcare profession or simply have a passion for childcare, I can highly recommend this excellent book.