Interview with Bernie Byrne by Lara Hughes
Busy, busy, busy!
Bernie is as busy as a bee in retirement. Since stepping down from Childminding Ireland in March, she has thrown herself into choir rehearsals, sea swims, and her greatest joy – minding her beloved grandchildren. When I rang her recently, she had scones in the oven and was getting ready for her niece to arrive with her little boy. Retirement? Hardly!
Bernie’s calling to work with children began early. As one of 13 children, she took up childminding at the age of 12! For a time she considered becoming a paediatric nurse, but soon realised that what truly drew her in was being with children – playing games, doing arts and crafts, and sharing laughter. She completed Montessori training, founded her own Montessori school, and cared for dozens of children over the years.
During the recession, she returned to study and achieved a Level 6 qualification in Childcare and Child Development before joining a local playschool. In the afternoons, she also worked as a childminder for a local family. Bernie always found fun with the children she minded and recalls a day when she collected the little girl she was minding from Junior Infants and she described who she was playing with that day “I played with Katie, Tom and God.” Only afterwards did Bernie learn the child’s name was Jesus, and couldn’t stop laughing!!
In 2016, Bernie brought her wealth of experience to Childminding Ireland. Over the next nine years, Bernie became an invaluable support to our members. While she was always happy to help with insurance queries, it was the day-to-day support she offered childminders that she found most meaningful. With her decades of experience working with both children and parents, there was little she hadn’t seen. Her calm, friendly advice was exactly what childminders needed, especially as childminders work alone. Bernie was that reassuring voice at the other end of the phone.
She often joked with parents that there are “no secrets here!” – children will always tell you what’s on their mind, often at the most unexpected moments. Their innocence, she says, is one of the loveliest parts of the job.
Bernie recalls that years ago as Christmas school break was approaching, a boy came up to her with a gift bag and said: “Here teacher, my mum got this present and she didn’t want it, so she said to just bring it to school and give it to you!” Bernie just loves the truth and innocence of children!
Another day while Bernie was teaching the traffic light system and was talking about what Mum and Dad do at red, green and orange lights, a little boy shouted out “My Mum goes really fast before the light changes to red”.
Bernie believes a great childminder is, above all, someone who truly loves children and has endless patience. Her parting advice to childminders is to keep communication with parents open and honest. Strong communication, she says, helps children thrive, makes transitions smoother, and ensures the best possible experience for everyone involved. When childminders notice issues or concerns, she recommends keeping a simple log and choosing the right moment and the right words to talk to parents.
As for what’s next, Bernie plans to learn Italian, take up painting, and put her sewing talents to work by transforming her wardrobe into fresh, on-trend outfits.
Enjoy your retirement, Bernie and thank you for your many years of support to childminders across Ireland.