A childminder from Bolton-le-Sands has launched a new website aimed at becoming a comprehensive guide for parents across the local area.
'Parenting Up North' provides parents and carers with a single website to find out about kid-friendly events, businesses, places, and parenting news covering the North West.
Michelle and her husband, Anthony, came up with the idea when they realised there was nowhere online that offered information about childcare, playgroups, days out, and local events all in one place.
“It was taking increasingly longer to find the information that we needed, and we just couldn’t trust the source if it was a national level or there was a lack of the important information we needed about a place or activity," said Michelle.
“Being a childminder myself, I’ve come across so many hidden gems that are either free or inexpensive for things to do with the kids.
“My husband has also lived in the Morecambe Bay Area for the whole of his life, so he has plenty of local knowledge to share with everyone too.”
Before setting up Mimi’s Childminding, the mum and step-mum trained as a journalist and then went on to gain a Postgraduate Diploma in Education.
“Setting up a website that contains news, local places and events is just the natural next step for us, as I can tie in my background in journalism and marketing with being a mum and a childcare provider.
“Our aim is to become a one-stop shop for parents in the LA postcode area, and we’d love to expand our catchment area as the website grows.”
The couple are now calling on child-friendly businesses to list their classes, shops, restaurants, childcare businesses, and days out on the website to promote their offering to more families.
Owners can list their businesses and events themselves for free via the website, and they have the option to upgrade their listing from as little as £1.99 a month.
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