An Abernethy childminder decided to help Perth and Kinross Council provide childcare during the coronavirus outbreak after being inspired by friends working in intensive care units.Mel Davies, who runs the Smile Factory, is one of the army of childminders supporting the response to COVID-19.Perth and Kinross has also set up six children’s activity centres and is using partner providers to look after hundreds of children each week so their parents are free to work as normal.Mel said: “I had childminding friends who were already signed up so I knew childminders were helping.“Once I was closed to my existing families and having close friends working in intensive care units in hospital, I had to do what I could to help too so I got in touch