Hi Helen. What brought you to Cookham?

I was born and raised in Maidenhead and attended Newlands School for girls. Cookham featured heavily in
my childhood and I still remember gymkhanas on the old Pony Field. In later years, I have enjoyed the history attached to the village and, of course, the wonderful scenery, walks, and the river too. When I wanted to move back to Berkshire four years ago, after 15 years in London, I knew Cookham was the village that I wanted to
live in and where I wanted my daughter to grow up. We have made some great new friendships, we love the outdoor lifestyle and we really feel a part of the local community, which has been very welcoming – it has
been a great move.

Exciting news about the launch of your business. Tell us all about it...

My new business is Cookham Nannies and Sitters, which serves Cookham and the immediate surrounding areas. When I moved back to East Berkshire, I needed flexible childcare solutions for my part-time working days
– and when I couldn't find what I needed, I decided to set up Cookham Nannies and Sitters myself, and help other families in the area.

   There are two separate services that we offer, both of which are flexible, tailormade and/or ad hoc

childcare solutions, day and night to suit the needs of the family. Both services also offer professional and experienced nannies and babysitters working in the industry, all personally interviewed by myself, and both services make childcare accessible and obtainable to all. 

   Cookham Nannies places highly professional and experienced nannies to the local families – I source the best child carers in the area and on your doorstep to care for your children, be it for one day a week, a full time daily nanny, a temporary solution or maybe a mother's help working alongside the mum at home.

   Cookham Sitters is a babysitting service that offers its members daytime and evening babysitting, and the forever popular ad hoc flexible care anytime of day. Sitters is served by qualified carers and qualified nannies who are experienced and professional, DBS cleared and on request paediatric first aiders too. Its uniqueness is that this membership will always remain local and contained, hence ensuring a robustness and customer service that will fit to its busy members schedules. Non-members are always welcome for occasional care, but it is cost effective to join in.

Amazing. Cookham parents will love this. What did you do before?

I have worked for British Airways for 23 years I am a Cabin Service Director (CSD) onboard our long-haul aircraft which principally manages the cabin crew, ensures excellent customer service onboard and is in part responsible for the operational success. Recently, I have been a Manager on the ground, involved in all aspects of people management and resources, and it is this coupled with being a CSD that has given me the skills to comfortably

embark on my new business. I am now very much part time with the airline, but travelling will always be my passion and I cannot wait to show my daughter the world as she grows up.

What are your aspirations?

To remain happy and positive in life, a good friend to those closest to me, a good neighbour in the community and a good mother to my daughter. And I am super excited about Cookham Nannies and Sitters and the direction it is taking me. I love meeting all the great people, families and nannies along the way, and I have to say that some outstanding nannies have come onboard so far. Making brilliant childcare connections obtainable is so rewarding and so far it has been a fantastic experience!

Cookham Nannies and Sitters

Call: 01628 617 617

Facebook: Cookham Nannies and Sitters

Email helen@cookhamnanniesandsitters.com

www.cookhamnanniesandsitters.com  

Illustrator: wegener17