SINGLE mum Corinne Minshall had no idea what to do when she was made redundant seven years ago.

But after taking inspiration from her daughter and a love of children, the 38-year-old has turned herself into an "outstanding" childminder.

The mother-of-two is Stoke-on-Trent's first "outstanding" carer of children after being awarded the distinction by Ofsted.

She said: "I'm not very good at selling myself but I think it is fantastic.

"I love my job and couldn't imagine doing anything else now."

Corinne, of Eaveswood Road, Abbey Hulton, lost her job at Trent Bathrooms, near Joiners Square, in 2002.

Her life had already been dramatically changed with the birth of her first child Lydia, now aged seven, and she said redundancy gave her the push she needed to get into something new.

After training, she registered as a childminder in November 2002, and took on her first children three months later.

Corinne, who also has another daughter, four-year-old Amelia, said: "My own children love having other children here and I've never regretted my decision.

"I just put myself in the position of parents who do shifts. It must be so hard when they have young children because most nurseries are only open at set times. I want to be there to help them."

Corinne currently has four children on her books, all aged two and under.

Lydia said: "I like it when the children come over. When they come in the morning, I get to play with them before I go to school."

The Ofsted report described the care Corinne gives as "exemplary".

It states: "Children are relaxed and content in the childminder's warm and welcoming home, where their well-being and safety are always top priority."

Lisa Glover-Birk's 11-month-old daughter Gracie has been going to Corinne for five months. The 36-year-old, of Greasley Road, Bucknall, said: "She loves going to Corinne's because it is a home from home for her."

Jayne Richards, a development officer at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "It takes a lot of time and energy to achieve this and I am very proud of Corinne."

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