Mumsnet Talk

Hi,

I didn't return to work because of the high prices involved with child care and the lack of support from the government for my partner and I. As a result I'm in the process of completing a childminding course so I can stay at home, look after my little boy and also solve the problem for other mums at a competitive rate.

Can I just ask devonshire, you will provide childcare to other children at reduce cost, out of your own good will? Charity? your own money?

Childminders are expensive, but there is also a cost involved in what we do. We buy all the food, which is cooked from fresh every day, there is a cost in liability insurance, car insurance, materials, toys, activities, craft, and other items such as buggies, car seats, and on top of that you have high electricity bills, heating, water rates, and the time you will be spending filling up paperwork for each child. We receive no support if we look after a child with a dissability for example, except for training, if I'd have to buy a special buggy for a dissabled child, or specialist equipment I'd have to buy it out of my budget. Childminders don't receive any subsidies, or loans to get their business started, no financial support at all. And no tools, no equipement, no safety tools except a free fire blanket. And we have to pay taxes and national insurance. We get no holiday pay, or sick pay, no job security, and no pension.

Setting up and carrying out a good quality childminding business is expensive and I wouldn't do it for free. Competitive rate would be possible if there was some form of support from the government. Otherwise I'm afraid I'm not a volunteer. I have to pay the bills.

I would love to start my own business or in fact go out to work but it isnt possible as the nurseries cant take the twins and childminders dont have the space either. Somebody suggested putting them into separate nurseries/childminders but that would involve a lot more running about and higher childcare costs. There is also no before or after school clubs so i am limited to 9-3 and i just cant find a practical way of doing it. I think nannys should be covered under the childcare option in tax credits because a nanny would be cheaper than 2 nursery places and it would give me some flexibility to actually go out and work

Childminders can only have one child under the age of one, exception of twins of course, but I receive calls every week from parents looking for a childminder for little babies 4 months to one year old. That place fills up very quickly.

I have just called tax credits and they have told me that if i find a nanny and she is registered then they will help with the childcare costs. Now i just need to find a job

Not sure if this is too late... I have dd1 who starts school in September so when planning a second baby we decided to time it so I would return to work from mat leave when dd starts school and dc2 would be in childcare (so just one to pay for).

The plan went out of the window as I have had twins and 2 in childcare is more than I earn. I would love to set up my own business but it will have to wait until dtds get their free childcare at 3.

Hi We have been childminder for 10 years now and think that we are the cheapest around ( beckenham) rates from £35 per two children the only thing is that we are trying to expand our business without going over our budget, we do over night care open from 7am to 7pm drop off home pick ups in the mornings we do it all. All we want to do is work with parent so they can get back to work without over stressing themselves. ( DO U KNOW ANY WHERE THAT SALE GOOD 9 seater mini vans?) so we can expand even bigger, we are registered for 14 children.