Hi my name is Catherine and i am an Ofsted registered childminder. I run All Weather's Childminding in Middlesbrough from my home. We are desperate to have a fully functional outdoor area for the children who come here to enable them to flourish in all aspects of the EYFS, especially physical development, personal social and emotional development and maths. My aim is to get artificial turf on the currently barked garden, and planters so that children can play out and learn in everything but hurricane weather so to speak - something which can't be done at the moment due to the bark becoming soggy when it rains and also any children younger than 1 can't really use the area to it's full potential as the bark may hurt their knees when crawling etc. All monies i get coming into my business is spent sustaining it so I can continue to be open and provide a childcare service to parents. Things like outings, food, equipment and resources, public liability, first aid, paperwork, printing costs, registration fees, upkeep of vehicle and correct insurance to carry minded children etc are just some of the things my 'wages' go on as well as my own personal bills so there is very little left over to be able to save to fulfil this dream. I am unable to get a business loan due to not being trading for 2 years and personal loan is out of the question as have already tried. I am not eligible for a grant because technically I'm not a school or nursery even though I teach the same curriculum as these and follow the same statutory requirements set out by Ofsted. If you could all spare a pound or whatever you feel you can afford in order to ensure lots of children in Middlesbrough who will come to me through the years can flourish and achieve great things in the outdoor area. Many Thanks!