Fors and Against Childminding

dianeydunfor

Hello,

I am a 29 yr old mum of 2 girls aged 2 and 7 months and we are starting to get to the stage where we need a second income again. I don't want to go back to an office job and put my girls into childcare as any money I make will be ploughed straight back into that, so, as I enjoy spending time with children and feel I am good at it (I run the local toddler group and often look after friends kids), I am considering childminding. I need some honest advice though on the advantages and disadvantages of it, can anyone out there help?

Many thanks

Diane

macca64

My mother is a childminder so here are a few things to consider;

1. You will need to register with Ofsed, and will have to have annual inspections to ensure the premises are ok etc etc.
2. You will need insurance, incase anything happens to the kids while in your care.
3. You'll probably need a CRB check carrying out.
4. Not sure where you live, but my mom only charges £3 per hour, so the money isn't great.
5. You'll need to get contracts etc, and keep proper records and be registered with HMRC as self employed.

Obviously advantages are that you can stay at home with your kids while earning a second income, the kids get to socialise with the other kids, and you have no commuting to do unless your dropping kids off at school.

HTH
Steve

leemina

I used to be a childminder, gave up in last October to be a student nurse. There are good and bad points about being a minder:

Good:

Get to look after your own children whilst earning an income
Money isn't bad, depending on how much you charge, but bear in mind your own children will take up two of your spaces. Some weeks I earned £300 (school hols are good)

Bad:

Children aren't the problem, its the parents (getting money etc)
Some parents dont look at it as your job, so why should they pay you holiday pay etc.
Your house isn't your own, other peoples children wont respect it the way you teach your children to.
Your own children may like it at the beginning, but mine resented the fact that the other children got my attention when they wanted it, and also they couldn't bring their own toys downstairs.
My children didn't like sharing their toys, and rightly so, they need toys that are specifically their own.

Really, it worked for me for 3 years, and my own children liked it at the beginning, but when my youngest went to school, they wanted me after school, and didn't like it when minded children got priority in some cases (babies), and thinking about it, why shouldn't they get my undivided attention during the weeK? I felt guilty about it at that point, so applied for nursing. Everyone's different, and for you it might be the perfect job, so ring the childrens information service and find out about a course, go and get the info and then decide, its not official till you get your registration. Mine took six months from doing the pre-minding course to actually gettin registered, so bear that in mind. Plus you have then to advertise for children. I started the process with another lady, and she's still minding, it works for her, and her two kids are both at school, but for me it was only ever going to be a short-term job, but thats the beauty of it. The points that macca64 states are also relevant. If you've any questions, dont hesistate to ask.

lil_me

With having little ones of your own, I know the number is usually limited to six children age under eight, of which no more than three must be aged under 5, at any one time, and usually only one under a year old. These include your own children so the ages of the children you can look after would be restricted.

I know most childminders where I live are not paid holiday pay as they are self employed, and they pay into a private insurance which covers them for when they are unable to work through illness, as they don't have an employer to claim sick pay from.

Everyone in the household over 16 is police checked.

Local councils advertise childcare providers and I know in my area there is a massive shortage of childminders.

scoobydo_2

I'm a childminder with teenage kids started the buisness 3 yrs ago when my ex left me !!! I prefer to look after the babies and pre school kids and this for me works well and my kids love me doing this , as they seem to need me more now than when they were younger !!I charge £2-60 per hour which with 3 under school age is almost £7-50 an hour so not bad money .

The down side for me is that my home is also my work place things I want to do to the house I can't due to time and kids arround .For me this affected me more as i was past the saftey gate ect stage .But a minor problem for the happiness I get from my job .

Alison

Becles

Make sure all the children you mind are kept interested in something.

My son was just telling me this morning that his friend goes to a childminder. He's a 9 year old boy and the rest are pre-school and infant school girls. He said all the girls play together and his friend is bored silly. His friend is wanting me to look after him every night. I don't mind now and again, but I don't want to get tied into something every school night.

dianeydunfor

thanks everyone, that has really helped

dianeydunfor

your points were very valid and helpful thank you, i had thought about things like my childrens toys and how they would go about sharing and what i shouldn't expect them to share and i guess i would jst have to keep some thing separate. I have contacted the care commission who are sending me out an info pack and my local council who are sending me their bumpf too. I was at my toddler group this morning and a friend there is looking for one for later in the yr so that has encouraged me! i am certainly willing to give it a go, my girls are at the age where they are still relatively accepting of changes so we will see how it goes. If i can last 3 years it will be the longest job i have ever had so would be very pleased with that!
how much (if any?) training do you get in any sort of education/development for the children?

scoobydo_2

hi if your lucky there will be a childminding network in your area , you do have to apply to get on these but tey are work it as they offer free training days on play and how to run your buisness , first aid ect . I love to freedom childminding brings me how many other jobs can you do when ur taking kids for a picnic in the park or a walk through the woods . I find it an honour that people want me to look after their kids I hope you enjoy it if you do decide its for you . feel free to pm me to ask anything
Alison

abbecer

My best freind absolutley loves kids and is fantastic with them. She decided to childmind when her youngest was one so that she could stay at home. It worked for a while but she didn't feel like her house was her home anymore. She also felt that her own children were suffering as they didn't get much 1 to 1 time with her. After the other children had gone she was rushing about getting sorted for the next day. Her partner also resented a houseful of children when he got home from work shattered. In the end she stopped doing it but does now work in a community nursery where she can still do what she enjoys doing. She is lucky to have a brilliant family who help her with childcare. As she works part time Monday to Friday she dedicates the weekend to her boys.

Rebecca x

methekidsandthecat

Hi Diane

I just thought I would post my experiences, I worked for 6 years as a childminder and found it a busy but great job.

On a practical note you need to set certain rules early on, such as no minded children upstairs so that your children can have their own space. Also their own toys, then if a minded child breaks one they are not too upset.

I completed an NVQ level 3 in Early Years Care and Education, this studying was not difficult but was time consuming. However it did get me on the adult education merry-go-round, now studying for a degree in OT. The plus side is that the course helps you to understand why you organise the day/game/meal time etc in a particular way, although you may have done it anyway the reasoning why is helpful.

I used to charge £2.40 per hour but that was 4 years ago, so it may be more now; if I remember rightly the childminding association publishes rates by area across the country for members to see.

There are loads of tips such as joining a local scrap store for cheap/free craft supplies and also local toy library for socializing and new toys/also big stuff that you may only want for a little while and not have the hassle of storing.

Equipment that you purchase can be offset against profits when completing your tax return. Also there were grants available to start up - I remember getting one for about £150.00.

Sorry about the mamoth post but I kept thinking of other points.
Me