childminding

inmypocketnottheirs

Elle83 wrote: »

As someone who has had real problems with flippant childminders, I can't stress enough that you have to want to do it because you love children - not just because you want to make money.

As my DW is a childminder I would advise you to be certain that you word your contracts very carefully to ensure that you get paid promptly.

It is amazing how many parents are regularly 2,3,4 or even more late in paying you to look after their precious off spring. Then they expect you to feed them, provide snacks, drinks and fruit.

It can be a good money earner, but there are plenty of parents who really begrudge paying.

Elle00

inmypocketnottheirs wrote: »

As my DW is a childminder I would advise you to be certain that you word your contracts very carefully to ensure that you get paid promptly.

It is amazing how many parents are regularly 2,3,4 or even more late in paying you to look after their precious off spring. Then they expect you to feed them, provide snacks, drinks and fruit.

It can be a good money earner, but there are plenty of parents who really begrudge paying.

Why have you quoted me to say that? I said I'd had a problem with flippant childminders and that people should do it because they love children not money - and you've quoted me going on about on parents paying late?

I didn't pay my childminders late, I had one childminder who didn't know how to look after babies (having never had any herself) - and didn't think to tell me that until she'd left my 10m old to scream his lungs out twice a week for a month. Then I had one who had the most disgusting lack of consideration for the job she was doing I've ever seen. She gave my son food and drink I told her not to, sent him home in someone else's clothes - twice, called me out of work every other week, "forgot" to mention when another child punched my son (the three year old standing behind her at the door grassed), took on WAAAYYYY over her legal quota - and lied about it (and oh yes I do know - a good friend of mine lived opposite her): the list is endless.

If you want to be a childminder then it should be kids first, money second. Sure get deposits and payment in advance but don't rush in head first thinking "money, money, money" at the risk of screwing up young, innocent children.

inmypocketnottheirs

Elle83 wrote: »

Why have you quoted me to say that? I said I'd had a problem with flippant childminders and that people should do it because they love children not money - and you've quoted me going on about on parents paying late?

I didn't pay my childminders late, I had one childminder who didn't know how to look after babies (having never had any herself) - and didn't think to tell me that until she'd left my 10m old to scream his lungs out twice a week for a month. Then I had one who had the most disgusting lack of consideration for the job she was doing I've ever seen. She gave my son food and drink I told her not to, sent him home in someone else's clothes - twice, called me out of work every other week, "forgot" to mention when another child punched my son (the three year old standing behind her at the door grassed), took on WAAAYYYY over her legal quota - and lied about it (and oh yes I do know - a good friend of mine lived opposite her): the list is endless.

If you want to be a childminder then it should be kids first, money second. Sure get deposits and payment in advance but don't rush in head first thinking "money, money, money" at the risk of screwing up young, innocent children.

OOOerrrr! Touched a nerve there did I!

inmypocketnottheirs

Elle83 wrote: »

Why have you quoted me to say that? I said I'd had a problem with flippant childminders and that people should do it because they love children not money - and you've quoted me going on about on parents paying late?

I didn't pay my childminders late, I had one childminder who didn't know how to look after babies (having never had any herself) - and didn't think to tell me that until she'd left my 10m old to scream his lungs out twice a week for a month. Then I had one who had the most disgusting lack of consideration for the job she was doing I've ever seen. She gave my son food and drink I told her not to, sent him home in someone else's clothes - twice, called me out of work every other week, "forgot" to mention when another child punched my son (the three year old standing behind her at the door grassed), took on WAAAYYYY over her legal quota - and lied about it (and oh yes I do know - a good friend of mine lived opposite her): the list is endless.

If you want to be a childminder then it should be kids first, money second. Sure get deposits and payment in advance but don't rush in head first thinking "money, money, money" at the risk of screwing up young, innocent children.

OOOerrrr! Touched a nerve there did I!

Because flippant parents can be just as common.

Elle00

inmypocketnottheirs wrote: »

OOOerrrr! Touched a nerve there did I!

Because flippant parents can be just as common.

Yes, bloody hilarious that my son got mistreated. Let's all have a good laugh shall we?

There are other ways to make money without screwing up little children. Your post, being solely concerned with the financial side of childminding, just goes to show the kind of attitude I'm saying makes for a lousey minder. I hope your DW has more consideration for the kids in her charge.

g_parry

These forums do get very heated sometimes. The OP was looking at the possibilities of childminding, giving information on the financial rewards was correct - there is no point in starting a business if it will not sustain you, and the OP had already indicated that because of her circumstances her current business was not appropriate.

A second poster pointed out that a love of children was a pre-requisite - valid point and 100% true.

Why does it need to degenerate into bickering?

For the OP - My OH is a childminder and there are many positive aspects to the job - the kids are great fun to have around and a day doesn't go by when we don't have something to either laugh about or AWW about. The money is very good - my OH charges between £6.00 and £9.50 an hour and has up to three children at a time. She has gained a good reputation in the area and is always full. The taxman is quite kind to childminders and there are a number of allowances that can be set off against tax.

The downside is that it is time and cash consuming to start. You have to pay for first aid certificates, public liability insurence, courses, safety equipment, advertising, printing, the list seems endless

New regulations being introduced are very time consuming. (Loads more paperwork)

It takes time to develop a reputation and no children = no income

Long term it's a fun job with a good opportunity for a reasonable income and if you can relate to kids, great fun.

inmypocketnottheirs

Elle83 wrote: »

Yes, bloody hilarious that my son got mistreated. Let's all have a good laugh shall we?

There are other ways to make money without screwing up little children. Your post, being solely concerned with the financial side of childminding, just goes to show the kind of attitude I'm saying makes for a lousey minder. I hope your DW has more consideration for the kids in her charge.

Not at all hilarious.

My wife has been childminding for seven years and now has the siblings of some of the children she first started with. Each week, there are around seventeen children that pass through our front door each week, and I know for a fact that the parent of each one speaks very highly of both of us, as I am often around the home when children are delivered/collected.

I wonder if the problems that you had were because you scouted around for the cheapest childminder? It would seem that a nerve has been touched.

Elle00

inmypocketnottheirs wrote: »

Not at all hilarious.

My wife has been childminding for seven years and now has the siblings of some of the children she first started with. Each week, there are around seventeen children that pass through our front door each week, and I know for a fact that the parent of each one speaks very highly of both of us, as I am often around the home when children are delivered/collected.

I wonder if the problems that you had were because you scouted around for the cheapest childminder? It would seem that a nerve has been touched.

Yes - you're right on my nerves because you're exactly the kind of idiotic money-driven fool I'm talking about that shouldn't be around small children.

If you live in an area where people actually get to "scout around" for "cheap childminders" then I can only assume you live in an area where parents actually have choice.

It would seem that an ego has inflated itself.

inmypocketnottheirs

Elle83 wrote: »

Yes - you're right on my nerves because you're exactly the kind of idiotic money-driven fool I'm talking about that shouldn't be around small children.

If you live in an area where people actually get to "scout around" for "cheap childminders" then I can only assume you live in an area where parents actually have choice.

It would seem that an ego has inflated itself.

I suggest you get a life and when looking for child care don't go for the cheap option.