Any childminders out there?

Lalaladybird

I'm considering becoming a childminder and would love to hear from childminders. What are the pro's and con's? How much do you earn?

Anything would help x

Yorkshire-Lady_3

Oooh, how long is a piece of string!!

Pro's
*working from home, and being able to look after your own kiddies.
*Being your own boss.
*Being paid to play.

Cons
*Paperwork Paperwork and more Paperwork.
*Answering to Ofsted, who sometimes don't seem to have one hymnsheet to sing from between the lot of them
*Long hours.
*Late payments from parents who begrudge paying you.
*Around £3 to £4 per hour in fees depending on where you're from. (I charge 3.50 per hour and this includes all snacks/meals/drinks/outings/petrol/craft supplies etc.

No doubt others will be along with more pro's and con's, but all in all, I love my job.
In the 17 yrs since I began Childminding, so much has changed, but the profile is still as poor as it was all those years ago.
I spend around 4 hours a week of my own time on paperwork, to ensure I keep up to date with the EYFS. All the training I take part in is done on evenings and weekends, and unpaid.
I am still referred to as a 'Babysitter', but it no longer annoys me!

I am trusted and loved by the kiddies and parents, and I KNOW I do a brilliant job.

Sally

Lalaladybird

Thanks for the reply. :T