I want to keep you up to date with what is happening with the Forum at the moment.

From today the website and Forum has a new owner.

Yes, I know this might come as quite a shock but it is not a decision Graham and I have taken lightly, in fact it has taken many, many months of sleepless nights and long discussions. :o

However, we feel it is the best way to secure the future of the Forum. As it gets bigger and bigger the time required to look after it gets more and more and we find that we have precious little time for other things.

The ‘front end’ is not the problem, we love chatting with you and being involved, sorting problems and helping you all - and we will continue to do that plus Sarah and Angel will also still be here, so no worries.

It is the server side that causes the most headaches, it needs a qualified IT manager now to ensure everything runs smoothly, this is where the new owner comes in.

Also, as many of you know we suffered a terrible personal tragedy earlier this year. When something like this happens it makes you reflect on your life and prioritises what is important to you. We need time with our family.

The main thing is the Forum is now guaranteed to continue to grow and stay the best resource for childminders on the internet. :clapping:

Like I have said, myself, Sarah and Angel will still be here so don’t be concerned too much on how things will change, just carry on as normal! :thumbsup:

I am sure you are all wondering who the new owner is. Well, many of you will already know of him from other online sources - he goes by the name of Richard Conway of www.childcare.co.uk

Richard has the expertise, staff and knowledge to bring some wonderful new features that I could only dream of bringing to you so I hope you will give him our usual warm and friendly Forum welcome.

Please be gentle with him. :rolleyes:

Please note: My website building is NOT affected and anyone who has a website with me will still get the same service because it is a totally different site and not part of Childminding Help.

Love you all,
Pauline x

You have our support as always Pauline and you know that

Does Richard actually know what he's letting himself in for though ...all us women ...and a few men to back him :laughing::laughing:

So happy your still going to be around too :clapping::clapping:

Love to you and Graham xxxxx

Thanks Angel, there have been a few tears shed in making this decision but I know it is the right thing to do, if only for my sanity :)

Thanks for letting us know and I know Richard will look after us all. He's always come across as a helpful and friendly person so at least we are in safe hands. :thumbsup:

Good luck to you both. You have done an amazing job with the forum and I wouldn't be where I am today without it, so a huge thank you to you and Graham and I am glad you will still be around, technology is growing all the time and the forum will continue to grow even further now with Richard's help:thumbsup:

In life you have to make the best decisions for yourself and your family, and that is what you and Graham have done.

Pleased to know that you will still be around to chat.


I wish you both all the best - enjoy the time with your family


Much love

Penny :)

It shows what a huge success the forum is if it now needs an IT expert to run it. You and Graham have done a wonderful job, but now's the time to put you & your family first. Enjoy your family time :clapping:

As for Richard...he's a very brave man :laughing::D

So sorry to hear about your family's tragedy.
The suppport you give everyone is amazing and it is a huge forum - its completely understandable you feel it is time to pass some of the responsibilty to someone else.
Best wishes, x

I would like to say thank you for building such a wonderful forum and website :thank you:. Over the last three and a half years it has been a part of my daily life and such a help and support to me in my career a a CM.

So glad you will still be around :group hug:

It shows what a huge success the forum is if it now needs an IT expert to run it. You and Graham have done a wonderful job, but now's the time to put you & your family first. Enjoy your family time :clapping:

As for Richard...he's a very brave man :laughing::D

:laughing::laughing:

Well done to Pauline and Graham for bringing the forum so far single handedly. I don't know where I'd be if it wasn't for the help received here, so a big thank you from me and hope you enjoy your family time
xx

Thank you Pauline and Graham :clapping:

Hope you are both ok xx

Thank you for creating this fprim, bringing it this far and ensuring it's future, you are stars.
Enjoy your family time, more time to chat on here too:clapping:

Not sure Richard REALLY knows what he is letting himself in for :eek:

Thank you Pauline and Graham for everything you have done for the Forum :clapping:

It must have been a very difficult decision for you to make, but as I have discovered recently, sometimes you have to put yourselves and your family first, and you have been through an awful time this year.

Take care xx

Pauline & Graham, I just wanted to say that without you lovely people and this wonderful forum I would never had got through my inspections which such good outcomes.

I owe you all so much, it must have been a very hard discision but your family and life must come first.

Best wishes for the future xx

I can absolutely understand why you have made such a hard decision, Family are very precious. Thank you to you both for creating an amazing forum. I can honestly say I would not have achieved my outstanding grading if it wasn't for all the fantastic people on here.
I'm so glad you will still be here to chat to.

Thank you xx

Pauline and Graham this forum is such a credit to you and the fact that has grown so big that you need someone to look after it proves it.

I dont blame you with all you have gone through this year for wanting to take a step back and let someone else deal with it. Prioirites and situations change.

Welcome Richard you have a very hard act to follow :)

I can understand why you have taken this decision and i wish you peace now that it is a done deal! I love the forum as it is and I'm a techie dinosaur so hope it won'r have TOO many new features!!!

Love, Jen x

its the end of an era but also a brave new world..

And to pauline and graham thank you so much....words cannot express my gratitude

mandy xxxx

Thanks Pauline. Hello Richard

This must have been a huge decission to make and I fully understand why. thank you so much Pauline and Graham for all your hard work and good luck Richard :D

Whatever happens from here on in, I would like to thank you for having such a great forum for me to be a member of for so many years.

And yes you need to do this for yourself and I really wish you all the best and you are able to enjoy the freedom that not having to be so involved gives you and Graham.

Thank you to you both, you are still The boss! lol

Thank you so much Pauline and Graham for all your hard work. You have helped so many of us with your wonderful forum. Welcome Richard and good luck.

Oh thank you everyone, you are making me cry :)

:eek::eek::eek::eek: how can you leave ME!! after such a brief affair???

ah!! just being silly, this is a great forum and a real credit to you and Graham :clapping: x

lets just see what the future holds x

It must have been a very hard discision to make but one that needed to be made for you and your family :thumbsup:

Thank you so much Pauline for all the forum has given me, advice, help, laughs and so many new friends that I wouldn't have made without you :clapping:

One thing though, Have you warned Richard about those naughty ones? :laughing::laughing:

Carol xxx

That must have been a hard decision to make. Thank you both for all your hard work in setting up the forum. I found it when I was looking for information about the New EYFS in August 2008. It seems hardly any time at all. Thank you so much for making so much valuable information available to all of us. :clapping::clapping:

Ah that must have been a tough decision. A massive thank you to you and Graham. This forum has literally saved my life over the past 2 years!

dear pauline & graham,

thank you SO MUCH for all your hard work with the forum, i really could not do my job without it. the forum has been my lifeline, especially in the past 18mths since i moved away from a 'real life' childminding support group. i am very glad to hear you will still be here.

thank you richard for taking us on!

best wishes for the future


lots of love xxx

Completely understand. What you have been through really makes you take stock and realise you must make the right decision for YOU.

It is sad that it's the end of an era but I'm sure that with the wonderful foundations that have been laid the forum will continue to be the BESTEST place to come to find out facts , chat and have 'sensible' :rolleyes: conversations.


Thank you Pauline and Graham for all you have done for us.


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXxXXXXX

Will be sorry that you're not running the forum now, but can totally understand why you have made the very hard decision you have.

Good luck xx

This is such a great forum and has given me so much help. It continues to be friendly and supportive and the first place I turn when I need advice. You have done such a great job.

I will be a little scared that it's in someone elses hands (very selfish I know, sorry xx) but I'm sure you will be around to keep an eye of things.

Best wishes,
Linda.

It doesn't seem five minutes since I joined this forum but it's almost five years! I've watched you nurture it as its grown and you have always been there for everyone. It will be hard to think you are no longer at the helm but I completely understand why. Happy to know you'll both still be around.

Pauline and Graham a huge thank you for making the forum what it is today. I wish you both all the luck in the world and hope you enjoy time with your family.

Good luck to Richard - I hope you know what you're taking on! :D

Miffy xx

Pauline and Graham, as said already, so many thanks for all your hard work, I know we aren't an easy lot! :laughing:

This forum has become part of my every day life and I have come rely on this site not only for the fab information and support but also for laughs and company in what can be a lonely job!

A big welcome to Richard you brave man! :D

Pauline and Graham...

THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for this forum and its wonderful friends - the ones I have met and the virtual ones - please include yourselves in this.:thumbsup:

Without this forum I am pretty sure there are thousands of childminders throught this country who would have been so lost.

THE best network in the land bar none!

Thank you xx

Good luck to Richard :)

I cannot add anymore than what everyone has been saying already. This forum is brilliant and I have made some lovely virtal friends and I don't know where I would be without.

So thank you so much Pauline and Graham from the bottom of my heart.

Lots of love and hugs to you both x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Well, here's a huge Thank you!!!
Well done, you must be so proud your site has grown this big! We are proud of you :thumbsup:
Thanks so much for this site, it is amazing :D

The strength of the forum you have created speaks for itself - a massive thank you to you both.

Richard, Richard, Richard........what big shoes to fill x

I am sad to hear this Pauline but totally understand why. You have been through so much.

Some things happen in life which makes you realise what the important things in life are.

I would also like to thank you for such a wonderful form, it has helped me so so much.

I wish you all my love for the future, take care of yourselves. Xx

It took me a while to be able to respond :(
Thank you Pauline and Graham for this fantastically supportive forum, I totally understand your reasons and your agony :(
Carol xx

:( ...Pauline and Graham - I just want to say THANK YOU for ALL that you have done for me personally by creating this forum...I completely understand your reasons and want to send my love.:clapping::group hug:

Welcome Richard (Again as I know you've been a member)...Do you KNOW what you've done!!!:laughing:;)

Hello everyone

I just want to say thank you very much to Pauline and Graham for selling the forum to us.

Please be reassured that we don't have any plans to make any big changes or start charging. We just want to build upon the great achievements that Pauline and Graham have already created and do everything we can to continue to make the forum the number one destination for childminders to connect with each other.

We always welcome suggestions and ideas so please don't hesitate to get in touch anytime if you need anything.

Thanks again for all your support

Richard

Childcare.co.uk

Pauline and Graham, if it's the right decision for you and your family that's all that matters. Love to you both always xx

Hello everyone

I just want to say thank you very much to Pauline and Graham for selling the forum to us.

Please be reassured that we don't have any plans to make any big changes or start charging. We just want to build upon the great achievements that Pauline and Graham have already created and do everything we can to continue to make the forum the number one destination for childminders to connect with each other.

We always welcome suggestions and ideas so please don't hesitate to get in touch anytime if you need anything.

Thanks again for all your support

Richard

Childcare.co.uk

thats good news to the ears Richard.... this Forum as you are probably aware is an amazing network to childminders round the UK and even further afield. Some childminders don't have a good local support and this place is 'home' for many of us:D

I am sure that you have given this a lot of thought, and it is the right dicision


Thankyou for the support that you have given

god bless
ziller

Pauline and Graham you have done a brilliant job on this forum and im sure Richard will to although he's got ahard act to follow. Pauline you have not only helped me in my career but also alot of other people too and for that ill always be grateful , and i know Sarah and Angel have helped me too so thank you to them as well. im glad your not leaving us completely and understand you need time with your family. Babs.Xx

Thank you so Much to Pauline and Graham

Without this forum I would not be as successful as I am now...

And I would not have met people I actually count as 'friends'

I really hope you will continue to stick around

3 cheers for Pauline and Graham!!

:clapping::clapping::clapping:

One thing though, Have you warned Richard about those naughty ones? :laughing::laughing:

Carol xxx

I did start making a list but decided that it was easier to list the GOOD ones, it would be shorter :laughing:

I agree wholeheartedly with all the lovely things that have been said already Pauline and Graham. You have done the most fantabulous job with this forum and you should be extremely proud.

What are you going to do with yourselves now??? :eek:

Huge thanks to you both and to the mods. It is a huge shock but you will have lots more time for each other and your family and friends.

Lots of love to you both.

Sue xxx

I don't know what to say to all these lovely messages, I am so truly moved.

But come on this is a celebration, crack open the wine, let's party Forum style :clapping::clapping:

Seriously though, I would like to thank Richard for his support over the years with advertising - with technical support for any problems with the server running at £90.00 per hour, we would have been in big trouble without him. He certainly lived up to his title as a 'Forum Friend' :thumbsup:

I hope Richard and Childcare.co.uk are as good as their word, it would be unusual for forums running like this to charge members, money is made in other ways for running costs, so i hope so, i dont post so much these days but would be very upset to see too much in change as i still read and gain so much, just lost a bit of the momentum to post.

Sending you both lots of love and big thank yous for all the wonderful help, family must come first , love Munkeh x

It will b an end of an era but I totally understand your reasons you have done so much for this forum & it has been a huge support net for me and many of us. Thank u for all u have done oh & good luck Richard u have a lot to live upto lol x

Thank you both for all your hard work, we take it for granted sometimes. Well done on making the decision and have fun in your 'spare time'! x

Thank you both for everything.

Without this forum I wouldn't be half the childminder I am or have half the knowledge I have (or think I have anyway ;) ) I have made so many great friends too.

Thank you both for all your time and commitment. Good luck Richard these are BIG shoes to fill :clapping:

I can't say really add much more than everyone has already said , but i'd like to wish you both well and hope that you will enjoy your " retirement" and do all the things you have wanted to, but couldn't due to commitments.

I'm glad you are still going to be around though ..... i may need some tecnical help :confused: :blush: please Pauline !( you don't get away with it that easily !!!) :D:D

love from the silver surfer !!:laughing:

PAULINE AND GRAHAM

I want to tell you "Thank you,"
But it doesn’t seem enough.
Words don’t seem sufficient--
"Blah, blah" and all that stuff.

Please know I have deep feelings
About your generous act.
I really appreciate you;
You’re special, and that’s a fact!


FOXY XXX

Just to add a great big thank you from me too, I don't know what I would have done without the help and fantastic advise from this wonderful forum, not to mention getting to know some of the lovely(if not slightly crazy) forum members
THANKS Pauline & Graham xxxx

many thanks for all your hard work ..and welcome richard x

Big Thank you to both of you for all the help given, and giving us a place to vent.:clapping:

PAULINE AND GRAHAM

I want to tell you "Thank you,"
But it doesn’t seem enough.
Words don’t seem sufficient--
"Blah, blah" and all that stuff.

Please know I have deep feelings
About your generous act.
I really appreciate you;
You’re special, and that’s a fact!


FOXY XXX

Oh stop it, you are making me blub :o Thanks Foxy xxx:)

Oh stop it, you are making me blub :o Thanks Foxy xxx:)

your welcome x , i hate change :(

Pauline & Graham, what can I say that has not been said already. Thank you for all the help, advise and assistance you have given to everyone on the forum, also allowing us to vent our feelings at times.

I fully understand you decision, take your time to look after each other and your family and you know we are all here if you need us:thumbsup:

I know I'm just going to echo what alot of people have already said, but I just wanted to give my two-pennies-worth!

I really have learnt alot, been helped alot, and generally grown my business with the help of this Forum. I know I'm relatively new compared to alot of the others and I've not met any of you, but you all feel like an extended family (I know it probably sounds daft :blush:) There's always someone there who will listen, offer advice and just be there in times of need and/or to share a funny experience with.

Your news was horrific and I was so sorry to hear about it, but as you say, unfortunately it takes something like that for you to re-think things in your life and re-evaluate them, so I would say you've made the right choice, as much as it was hard for you both.

I'm sure we'll all be kept up-to-date on how you're both doing, via Sarah or Angel and hopefully you'll be able to drop by and say hi from time to time.

You've both done an AMAZING job on this Forum and I'm not just saying it to feed your egoes, it really has helped me so much in my childminding career. Now it's time for you to both sit back, relax and just enjoy one another.

Thank you for all your hard work - you don't know how many people appreciate it.

Sending virtual hugs :group hug:

Thais so much to you both and lots of hugs. I definitely wouldn't be the childminder I am or have got my rating if it wasn't for this forum.
Hope you get more peace now xxxxx

This is beginning to sound like reading our obituaries. :D

Thank you all for your kind messages it means such a lot to Pauline and myself. Most of my input into the forum has been behind the scenes and supporting Pauline.

I would just like to say that if it had not been for our late son Steve this forum would never have got off the ground, we miss him so much, it was with his help that the forum took shape and grew and now he is gone we just haven't got the motivation any more.

Having said that Pauline and I will still be around as will Angel and Sarah (who have been absolute bricks) and in Richard we have found the perfect person to take it forward and fulfill all the dreams we had for the forum.

Thank you Pauline and Graham for setting up this wonderful website, don't think I would have passed my registration without all the expert knowledge and support of this forum.

I wish you all the best for the future and glad to know you will still be around and good luck to Richard

Just to say what everyone has already said;Thank you Pauline and Graham you have done a great job can't believe how quickly the forum grew,it is always great support to us all

Enjoy spending more time with your family.

Thank you both so much for your hard word keeping the forum going.

Pauline ...does this mean you can hang up ya Dongle :rolleyes::)

I have never met either of you, but I feel i know you, as a friend.

have fun with your family...you so deserve it.

Lotsa love

Orksie xxx

holding my tongue


but

thank you pauline xxxxx

I have only been on here for a few months but very quickly became addicted!
This forum is a credit to you both and I'm glad I found you!
It's obviously been a tough decision but as has been said, it's one you've had to make.
Thank you for giving so much to the forum and making it the place it is today...a place for us to come to and chat/vent/ask questions/share etc.

Thank you.

I would just like to say that if it had not been for our late son Steve this forum would never have got off the ground, we miss him so much, it was with his help that the forum took shape and grew and now he is gone we just haven't got the motivation any more.


Now that brought tears to my eyes. I really hope you both enjoy your time with your family and remember Steve for all the things he achieved and the love he gave you. Tomorrow I will raise a glass to you all including Steve (it's to late tonight).

Although we will support Richard, this I personally feel will always be Paulines forum :thumbsup:

Carol xx

Thank you both for all you have done over the years. I'm a quiet member of the forum but I'm always here somewhere! I'm glad I had the privilege to meet you both and it's great to know D'Boss is still going to be around...

I've learnt a lot from the forum over the years and I have some great 'forum friends' who I don't see often enough!

Wishing you both the very best...:D

Nix, x

I would just like to say that if it had not been for our late son Steve this forum would never have got off the ground, we miss him so much, it was with his help that the forum took shape and grew and now he is gone we just haven't got the motivation any more.


Now that brought tears to my eyes. I really hope you both enjoy your time with your family and remember Steve for all the things he achieved and the love he gave you. Tomorrow I will raise a glass to you all including Steve (it's to late tonight).

Although we will support Richard, this I personally feel will always be Paulines forum :thumbsup:

Carol xx

Hear, Hear. I finish work for 3 weeks tomorrow so it will be a big glass and a huge piece of cake.

Take care both of you and enjoy your family.

What can I say that hasn't been said already?

The forum is my second home and I feel I know you both even though we have never met. The forum saw me through the beginning of EYFS, tough times in work and personal issues too, as well as fun times.

I think of you when I am out caching and find a devious hide, thinking 'S' would be proud of that one!! Take a well earned break and I hope one day to meet you in person as I have others from the forum :thumbsup:

Good luck to Richard, please don't change too much, I love it how it is :):o

Pauline and Graham,

Thank you for giving us this amazing place to come to where we can find help, support and comfort. This has always been the first port of call as a childminder over the years.

I understand your decision and respect it. I will however always see this forum as 'Paulines.' :clapping: You deserve all the happiness, success and peace now and in the future.

Hugs, Lottie xxxxxxxx

I would also like to say a huge thank you Pauline and Graham for creating this forum. I discovered it by chance when I was considering registering as a childminder and I think the help and support I received right from the beginning helped me to make the decision to take the leap into the world of childminding - and 3 years later I'm still loving it!

Although I've never met most of the people on here I feel many of them are real friends and I've had so much support and kindness in the past 9 months as well as practical help with childminding issues.

I fully understand your reasons for wanting to step back and am glad that you'll still be around, also Angel and Sarah.

I hope the forum doesn't change too much though - it's perfect as it is x

Big big thank yous to Pauline and Graham for all you have done

Love Christine xx

I also cant think of anything to say that hasnt already been said.
I come on the forum most days, although I tend to lurk and dont post that often.
Glad to hear you'll both still be around,

Wishing you both a happy 'semi retirement'......


Mandy

Pauline and Greame

This forum has been a godsend. I totally respect your decision and hope to see you guys popping on here.

Richard
Do you know what you have let yourself in for. Please do not change anything its perfect as it is.

Thank you both for what you have done for this forum, I have only been 'lurking' for 6 months and posting for even less time than that, but I spend more time here than anywhere is, it truly is the most amazing, welcoming place to be and the best resource on childminding on the internet.

Wishing you both all the very best,

Anna x

Thank you for taking the time to set up and run this forum - like others have said it has been such an enormous help and support to me - even though I don't post a lot.

Just seen this and echo so much of whats already been said.

But I would likes to say A HUGE THANK YOU TO YOU BOTH FOR SETTING UP THIS FORUM IN THE FIRST PLACE

I hope that we can all continue to get the help and support we need in the future from this lovely place

Thank You
doesn't say it all...
...but it's a nice alternativeto overwhelming you with so much gratitude and appreciation that you begin to wish you'd never been so darned amazing in setting up this lifeline forum .
I have found a second home here at 'Paulines forum' amongst those who I consider friends - and wish you all the love and happiness you both so deserve.

Not sure that I can add anything that hasnt already been said many times over. This forum has been a great lifeline for many childminders - without it I would never have got my outstanding grading, and my knowledge would be very poor - I have gained so much from this site and thank you both for taking the time to set it up - its certainly made a difference to so many peoples lives - even my DO uses this site to make sure they have the latest info which certainly sais something... so adding a very big thank you from myself and my local childminders who I have sent onto this site as its simply the best there is :D

Totally understanding your reasons and wishing you both the best for the future x

i think you are amazing people Pauline & Graham :) Goodness knows where you found the time to set up the forum and nurture it while it grew, and grew, and grew…..and then to suffer a great loss :( but still be here to take care of us all. Hats off to you, you deserve to pass the baton.

Just hope our new owner doesn’t want to hit us with it when he realises what he’s taken on....;)

Am on holiday this week so am just catching up with the news.

Thank you for setting this forum up, it's gave many people great advice and new friends:clapping:
Now is the time to think of yourselves and start to heal.

lots of love

Sarah

Same as all above, i would not have coped with some stuff going on in my life in the past three years without this forum. Most people i haven't met but were always here for me during the bad times... Pauline can not thank you enough for creating this place.

Thank you pauline and graham
xx

Just want to say that Pauline and Graham your forum has kept me sane when the world seems bonkers. When others have been in a state of panic about the various changes since I started minding in 2007 I have been able to remain calm because I have had access to this forum. This forum helped me so much with both of my grading inspections, has helped me with new ideas when I am feeling motivated and has helped me regain that motivation when I have felt demotivated. This forum has helped to make me a better childminder.

I think we all understand why you have come to this decision and that it is totally the right decision for you. Spend time with your family and make the most of each and every day. As others have said it is the end of an era. Thank you so much for all the work and effort you have put in over the years.

Pauline and Graham, you are both amazing people and have shown great strength in all that you have been through this year.

I can fully understand your reasons for wanting to sell the forum, and wish you both the very best for the future.

I REALLY hope the forum stays the same, this is the only "staff room" that some of us have :thumbsup:

Pauline and Graham, you are both amazing people and have shown great strength in all that you have been through this year.

I can fully understand your reasons for wanting to sell the forum, and wish you both the very best for the future.

I REALLY hope the forum stays the same, this is the only "staff room" that some of us have :thumbsup:


staff room = yep thats exactly what this is :thumbsup:

Hi everyone

Please be reassured that the forum will continue to as it always has without anything nasty happening!

Any changes will only be for the benefit of forum members. There won't be any charges for membership and your data won't be sold for marketing purposes.

As far as we are concerned it is business as usual and we really appreciate all your help and support.

Richard & the Childcare.co.uk team

Thanks Pauline for everything you have done over the past 5 years on here, it has been an incredible journey and has helped me do much. I have found loads of friends and so much support.

Thanks to you lots of love cxxxxx

As everyone else has said, thank you so much, i have made some lovely friends here even though im no longer cm i am still made to feel very welcome, thank you again x

Huge thank you Pauline, like I said in my other post I'm a bit shocked but can understand why. xxxx


I've never really been too impressed with childcare.co.uk so I hope you prove my thoughts wrong Richard.

So sorry to hear about your family tragedy. Things like that do put things into perspective and make you realise just how short life is. Good luck and all the best for the future :) xx

I can only echo what everyone has said already - I'm a bit of a lurker and don't post often but have gained so much from being a member on here and really appreciate all the effort Puline, Grahame etc put in, so thank you very very much x

oops, awful typing - Pauline not Puline obviously lol

Hi everyone

Please be reassured that the forum will continue to as it always has without anything nasty happening!

Any changes will only be for the benefit of forum members. There won't be any charges for membership and your data won't be sold for marketing purposes.

As far as we are concerned it is business as usual and we really appreciate all your help and support.

Richard & the Childcare.co.uk team

You do know we will keep you to your word?;) I for one am quite prepared to give you a chance:thumbsup:

I too am grateful for all the support I have received over the years from the forum. I remember back to a time when there was a couple of hundred members and you could sit all night clicking the new posts button with nothing happening:rolleyes:. The forum has come a long way since then and that is all credit to Pauline and Graham and of course all the input from members. Support is what our members do best and I can't put into words how much the support has meant to me in my professional life recently.

I hope, Pauline and Graham, you are now able to sit back, relax and join in without the stress of all the behind the scenes work that we will probably never fully appreciate.

Amanda xxx

Dearest Pauline and Graham,

Knowing how trustworthy (and flippin' amazing!!!) the forum owner (and her sidekick :laughing:) are, provides a much needed peace in coming here to the 'staff room' for a variety of business concerns/joys.. as well as for personal/non business reasons.

Friendships have been forged through the years, and there is a deep set loyalty within these forum walls.

I thank you for that. Your role has been pivotal in the success and comfort this forum brings to a huge business sector.

I do believe in there being *seasons* for things, know how much family time is needed for you both... and wish you all the very best.

I have a deep admiration and respect for you as a couple, a mum and dad, grandma and grandpa, childminder and friend.

A bittersweet goodbye as forum heads, you will always be cherished by us.
God bless you both xxx We love you.

Dearest Pauline and Graham,

Knowing how trustworthy (and flippin' amazing!!!) the forum owner (and her sidekick :laughing:) are, provides a much needed peace in coming here to the 'staff room' for a variety of business concerns/joys.. as well as for personal/non business reasons.

Friendships have been forged through the years, and there is a deep set loyalty within these forum walls.

I thank you for that. Your role has been pivotal in the success and comfort this forum brings to a huge business sector.

I do believe in there being *seasons* for things, know how much family time is needed for you both... and wish you all the very best.

I have a deep admiration and respect for you as a couple, a mum and dad, grandma and grandpa, childminder and friend.

A bittersweet goodbye as forum heads, you will always be cherished by us.
God bless you both xxx We love you.

I'm welling up!! :( Thank you everyone.

I'm welling up!! :( Thank you everyone.
You make sure you look after OUR Aunty P. {and yourself}


xx




omg im welling up now, think ive taken on too much in my personal life and lettign things get to me.

Sometimes in life someone or something comes along and leaves a lasting impression in your life, which changes your life,

Thanks to you two this has happened to about 18,594 people (to date) and for that we will all be eternally grateful

big hugs to you both

Your Troublesom one xxxxxx

Everybody has said everything I could wish to say so I will simply thank you both by a lovely quote from Mark Twain


Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed
by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
- Mark Twain


All the best Pauline and Graham in this new chapter in your life x

Thankyou can sometimes be such a simple word, but this thankyou comes from deep within my heart x x x

I'm not going to hold my breath where childcare.co.uk are concerned, so I shall just forget they are now in charge.

Sometimes in life someone or something comes along and leaves a lasting impression in your life, which changes your life,

Thanks to you two this has happened to about 18,594 people (to date) and for that we will all be eternally grateful

big hugs to you both

Your Troublesom one xxxxxx

Just how I feel (and I welled up reading it :o) - but I am not troublesome!

Oh Pauline and Graham what can I say - Thank you so so very very much for everything you have done for all of us in setting up and running this fantastic forum - I know for one that despite 25 years of experience in Childcare and Education and 7 years of Legal experience I wouldn't have ever hoped to have achieved my Outstanding Grade without all the kind help and support of all the positive and helpful members on here.

I too have made some very good friends through this forum and I thank you for that too.

In addition I can always say with pride that "I have met the Boss" - I know because I have a key ring which says so - LOL - I have to say it was a pleasure to have had the honour to meet two very unselfish and dedicated people.

I am sure that you two won't disappear from our lives as you have a wealth of experience that I am sure you will be happy to share with us from time to time.

Huge Hugs :group hug::group hug:

And Bye for now - :waving: - Have yourselves a much deserved rest - Be kind to yourselves and each other - Be Happy and Enjoy your next venture whatever it may be. XXXXXX

Thank you for everything Pauline and Graham :) xx

I know you have had lots of thank yous here (and rightly so!) but I wanted to add mine to that. This forum is invaluable, it supported me when I was new and learning and helps me every day get better at my job! It also keeps my enthusiasm going, with all the new ideas everyone shares, and encourages me to look forward always to make my business even better.

Thank you Pauline & Graham :clapping:

I haven't been a member for very long but since I discovered this site it's been a lifesaver business wise on many occassions!

Thank you so much for setting up and running this site, I'm sad to see you both go but am sure it's not a decision you've made lightly. I just wanted to wish you all the best for the future and have a good rest and time for yourselves xx

I just cannot leave you to go on holiday can I , just look what you get up to :panic:

So very sad, but along as you still come on to chat then I will forgive you both , just !!! Xxx

I just cannot leave you to go on holiday can I , just look what you get up to :panic:

So very sad, but along as you still come on to chat then I will forgive you both , just !!! Xxx

Forgive us??? Remember Graham has still not forgiven YOU for the picture with the bunny girl :laughing:

Pauline and Graham

this must have been incredibly hard decision for you to make. I'm glad you are not leaving us but I'm glad you are able to stay in the capacity of being a forum leader/moderator without all the IT nightmares that go with it.

I'm reserving judgement about the new owners given the recent reaction to a member and her thread and hope that this will not be a reflection of things to come but having said that for childcare to take on the forum given they know how we all feel about their reaction to that thread, i think they must be brave and hopefully regret how they acted in that instance.

I wish you and Graham all the best and lots of love xx

I to want to say thank you for setting this forum up, if I hadn't of found it I'm sure I would of given up before I got anywhere with out the support from here. It may not of been with me asking questions but just reading posts, knowing others are in a similar place, and more importantly at times when this job can feel lonely you know there are loads of work friends online.

Good luck and thank you once again. x

Thank you Pauline for starting the Forum and enabling me to find so many cyber friends that understand what I do cos they do it too:D. The support and friendship is invaluable and the ideas and advice fantastic. :group hug:

Thank you Graham for helping and supporting Pauline and for getting dragged into the forum more and more as it grew bigger and bigger.:)

Thank you Richard for being there to allow the forum to continue:thumbsup:

Thanks for always being there, you are bob on family is so important! All the best x

Although i don't post much as a new childminder the help, advice and information i have got from this web site has been great. Thank you so much.

I am useless with words at the best of time and everyone has said what I would say far better than I could so I won't.

but I will say a big thank you. I may not get on here as often as I can but this forum is where I turn to for help and advice before my LA (they usually give out wrong information) and is my first port of call for a lot of things.

But more than anything this forum has given me love and support through the bad times, A huge amount of friends who mean more to me than those in 'real' time. It has given me giggles and tears it has given me friends who have taught me so much about ginger lol. That is why I love the forum as someone has put it is my staff room but more than anything for me it is about friendship.

So


:thank you: Pauline and Graham:thank you:

Pauline, Graham and all the members who have become my friends over the last four years - thank you. Thank you for the support, the information and the friendship I have received over the time I have been here.

I can't believe I have only just read this :eek:. I'm a bit nervous tbh but would like to thank you Pauline & Graham and hope you can spend some more quality time together with your family now.

xxxxx

Just catching up

Firstly thank you for putting the forum together in the first place and for Graham who has supported you

Secondly have some time

Thirdly don't forget to post!! :D

Only just catching up on the news. Think I have had 'Olympicitis' for the last week!
Pauline and Graham, YOU ROCK! Without this forum I would have given up minding ages ago [and retreated into the garden shed with my gin bottle]:laughing:
I completely understand your decision, you must do what is best for your family. I hope that the future holds some joy and peace for you both. You will be in my prayers.
Thankyou for being soooooo wonderful.

Wow what a change! Ive been away for a while as lifes been pretty hectic. Thank you to Pauline and Graham for all your support, I dont know what I would have done without this forum, especially in the early days. Good luck and big hugs to you both. xxxxx

I just want to add my best wishes to the long list of those already posted! Thank you so much for the support, I'm not sure that I would have gone ahead with the idea of childminding if I hadn't stumbled across this forum. :)