Devizes couple Jennie and Steve Brown will retire next week, after a combined 51-year career in childcare.

Mrs Brown, 62, has been in childcare for 36 years including 10 years working in and managing Heathcote House Nursery in the town and 26 years as a childminder.

For the last 15 years she has worked with husband Mr Brown, 65, childminding from their home in Brickley Lane as well as providing emergency care for social services.

Mr Brown started this new career following his retirement from his job as a traffic police officer with Wiltshire Police in 1999.

He said: “It was a natural progression as I had always been around the children on rest days from the police.

“When I retired, we thought, why not work together and have our own business. It has been wonderful but now we want to spend more time with our own family.”

The couple have two children Emma, 40, and Jason, 42, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Over the years they have been rated outstanding by Ofsted twice and have also had input in to childminding groups and other events in the area.

The couple estimate they have looked after more than 100 children between them.

They officially retire on December 12 and will be celebrating with a party on December 21, when they will be joined by the current children they care for and those they have previously cared for.

The couple are looking to hear from people they have previously looked after to come to the party. To contact them email wilts55@btinternet.com

Mr Brown said: “It would be great to hear from children that have been cared for over the years and to know how they have got on in life.”

After finishing work Mr Brown said the pair do not have any real plans apart from decorating the house and going to afternoon tea dances as they enjoy 
ballroom dancing.