any childminders who can offer advice?

newcook

I am thinking of becoming a childminder and I have had a look on the different websites etc but I'm just wondering if there are any childminders out there who can offer some advice/answer some questions??

How much do you charge for each child?
What do you do about your own holidays?
Do you have to drive?
What are the average hours you have the children?
How long did it take to become a childminder?
Was it easy to get clients?
How do you work out the tax and NI?

Another thing I wanted to find out about was the CRB check on my partner - about 7 years ago he got a caution form the police for drugs. He has stayed out of trouble since but will this affect me becoming a childminder?

Many thanks!

Scarlett1

have a look at this site

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?subtop=0&topicid=2300&stamp=070326115152&off=0&tot=4116

Savvy_Sue

You might do better asking the NCMA, especially about the CRB check. To my mind, it shouldn't affect your registration, given that it was several years ago, but it may show. Being a caution, I don't think it will show on the copy sent to you, which is good, because some parents might ask to see it, but I'm not sure. A thorough trawl of the CRB website should turn up the answer to that, but I'm afraid I'm not up for that today ...

OkieMum

To answer your questions...
The rate can vary by location and even within neighbourhoods. I'm in a nice area near Basildon and charge £3.50 per hour with no discounts for siblings or long days. I keep the holiday thing fairly simple. If i'm available, I charge. If I'm away or unavailable, I don't. It's up to the parents to find cover. I give at least 4 weeks notice for holidays.

I don't drive because it adds to the insurance and such and everything I need is within walking distance.

Average hours vary greatly. Nurses go to work very early and most people coming in from London get back at 6 or later.

Getting clients is another eye opener. You might ask around. I was told that there was a shortage of CM when I started and then didn't have steady work for 6 months. I now have too many requests just when I am planning on giving it up.

The tax and NI stuff is easily available from the Inland Rev site.

The CRB does have a box for any police record of Convictions, Cautions, Reprimands and Final Warnings. I don't know if that would be a problem though.

I love taking care of the children. I hate dealing with OFSTED and the ever changing requirements and standards. I don't know a single childminder that thinks that the care the children receive is in any way enhanced by the hoops we are required to jump through, never mind what they are proposing for new requirements. If you are willing to do all the non-sense, you'll surely have more clients than you need as those of us who are fed up will be closing ours doors soon.

Hope this helps.

Savvy_Sue

OkieMum wrote: »

I love taking care of the children. I hate dealing with OFSTED and the ever changing requirements and standards. I don't know a single childminder that thinks that the care the children receive is in any way enhanced by the hoops we are required to jump through, never mind what they are proposing for new requirements. If you are willing to do all the non-sense, you'll surely have more clients than you need as those of us who are fed up will be closing ours doors soon.

Of course it doesn't even stop when you give up, does it? A friend of mine has given up childminding after a loooong time, and says she has to keep records for a set period afterwards. Including what every child in her care has ever eaten ... and every activity she's ever done with them.

Now I know that makes sense in case a child shows an allergy, it's just the length of time she's got to keep everything for!

kelloggs36

You have to keep the records for about 21 years! You should do a course which will give you the qualification and then you need to register with OFSTED and your local council who charge a fee. I did it a few years ago and had been told of a great shortage of CM and then I had hardly any work at all - until after i gave up and then i started getting calls!!! Saying that, it kept me ticking over and after expenses I never had any tax to pay anyway. I would advise you to stick to your guns when you get difficult clients. Don't let them pay late otherwise they start taking advantage. I never charged when I was on holiday, and charged half when they were on holiday. I did term-time only contracts as most of my clients were teachers and I felt it was unfair to charge them when the children were not with me - I got all the school holidays off as a bonus!!

Savvy_Sue

kelloggs36 wrote: »

You have to keep the records for about 21 years!

I knew it was a ridiculously long period, just couldn't remember how ridiculously long!

First on the list of equipment required: a filing cabinet. Lockable of course, because of data protection issues. Probably can't keep it anywhere the children can go because of sharp edges when drawers are open.

trinidadone

hey, have you thought about telephoning your local authority? often LA's will have a development officer, employed to offer advice and training for child minders, esp when starting out. development officers are often situated in the early years section. Most LA's place their early years in education, but some place them in leisure, along with swimming pools and parks, good luck