ONE of Cumbria’s only ‘outstanding’ rated childminders is retiring after more than 25 years in the job.

Lynda Collings, from Ulverston, has been a registered childminder since 1994, looking after dozens of children across her 25 years in the business.

The 65-year-old established her childminding company ‘Little Stars Childcare’ in 1994 and went on to achieve three outstanding Ofsted reports, becoming only the second person in Cumbria to receive the top grading.

She is also a qualified nurse and sign language teacher, frequently teaching classes for special needs pupils in her free time.

Her son Glenn said he was extremely proud of his mother’s achievements within the community.

“Mum has been an inspiration to myself and my brothers Craig, Ross and Bruce, managing to raise four boys whilst giving full-time outstanding childcare to many young children. I’ve been amazed at the energy and dedication she has shown in raising kids from babies to starting school age and always going above and beyond while maintaining her beaming smile and positive energy.

“Mum deserves her retirement more than anyone and it’s testament to her character that she will be spending it doing her passion of teaching children to sign.”

Ms Collings has been practicing sign-language for nine years, teaching it professionally within schools over the past year. She plans to continue her classes which caters for children of all disabilities throughout her retirement.

She said: “My sign language group allows me to still work with children while I’m retired but with less of the responsibility.

“However, I am going to miss child-minding. You have these children from babies and build up a bond with them – they’ve brought so much to me as I have to them.”

In her retirement, Ms Collings plans to buy a caravan and go travelling. She is also a keen swimmer and table-tennis player, hoping to dedicate more time to both.

“I’m so excited for all this free time but equally I am sad – it’s the end of an era,” she said. “Even the parents have become friends and I’ll miss those relationships.”