Re: New Venture Childming - Tips/Advice

smartsaver2011

Hi There,

There is a course starting in September and I am planning on having a baby later next year.

The course is childminding and first aid. Although I have no children experience I though it would be good to a) Get experience research costs and how much they charge etc

I thought the job would be good so that I have other qualifications to fall back on and can do when I have my own child when they are a little older. The job I do now wouldn't allow be to be p/time, I work in insurance and I don't blame them but you would need someone f/time to cope with the role.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips on this occupation, any experience and any pointers on arranging your own business.

Thanks

Jarndyce

smartsaver2011 wrote: »

Hi There,

There is a course starting in September and I am planning on having a baby later next year.

The course is childminding and first aid. Although I have no children experience I though it would be good to a) Get experience research costs and how much they charge etc

I thought the job would be good so that I have other qualifications to fall back on and can do when I have my own child when they are a little older. The job I do now wouldn't allow be to be p/time, I work in insurance and I don't blame them but you would need someone f/time to cope with the role.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips on this occupation, any experience and any pointers on arranging your own business.

Thanks

Why? Why couldn't it be job-shared?

meluvnext

Childminding is not easy, it is not just about caring for children, you have to have all the legalities in place, deal with ofsted, early years foundation stage, observe kids, have evidence of their learning journeys, then there are the contractual side of things, ensuring you get paid on time by the parents of the kids you care for. It is not even guaranteed you will have enough kids to care for to make a profit.

It is rewarding if you can do it, but no walk in the park.

smartsaver2011

Maybe I need to reconsider then, unsure..I do remain positive and work hard!

The reason as a job share won't be possible is that the company is small, rural and last time a woman had the same issue they advised they could find no one to do it with her and the role was too busy for a p/t positon. I don't want to be left with nothing or unorgised when it comes to work after having a child.

Although your employer has to try to accomodate you I've seen they have not with others.

I work in insurance and long hrs so would hope to move away from these as I work 8:30-5:30, 1/2 lunch M-F and a saturday. This would be too much once I have had a child.

Any other tips?!

Rockporkchop

A first aid course is always useful but I can't see the point of doing a childminding course when you are only at the planning stage of having a baby. Hopefully it doesn't, but it might take you years to conceive. Your childminding knowledge/qualification would probably be out of date. And what if you don't even like looking after children?

Do you enjoy your current profession? Because if you do, why don't you focus on getting a new job which has good maternity benefits and opportunities for flexible working and job share, rather than trying to embark on something new?

claire16c

I'm thinking of doing something like that when having kids, as my last job was very similar, they refused to let anyone do a job share, or do any less than 4 days a week, and those 4 days were long hours. Pretty inflexible really.

I dont see any harm in you going on the course and seeing if its suitable for you. our neighbour was going to be a childminder and I know she had to have someone come round and look at her house. Other than that sorry Im not sure. But lots of women do it so it cant be impossible!

lallydo

If that is what you would like to do then go for it.

I will reiterate what someone else has said - childminding is not the easy job some people think it is.

Its a proper business for a start so you need a business head on. You then have to swop that hat and be a care provider and educator- meeting the requirements that ofsted and the law say you must do - ie EYFS.
Minding can be a lonely job - remember you will be in your home for a good portion of the day with only children for company.

That said, I have been doing it for 9 years, I have recently gained my BA Hons in children and early childhood and I love my job. It brings much needed income into my home but by golly do I have to work for it.

working with children is no easy option and not something you should enter into lightly.

if you want more info got to the childminding forum.... i(it won't allow me to post a link butput www. in front take the gap out between words and finish with co.uk at the end!!!!