As a childminder... NO help from the government for childcare of my 2 DDs

[mumof3lovelykids]

I don't get it. I am going back to being a childminder but have 2 DDs under 3 and therefore am only able to childmind 1 other under 5. If I was going back to work elsewhere I would get help with childcare from the government but as I am looking after my children, i don't get that help or earn a good wage. I just can't win! I am being penalised for not going out to work and for trying to earn money whilst staying at home and bringing up my own children.

[negril]

why dont you give ur 2 darling children to a childminder

[findtheriver]

I think negril makes the point! None of us get paid to stay at home looking after our own children. Whether of not you think the government should somehow fund a parent to stay at home is another matter, there are arguments for and against, though at the end of the day I can't see how the tax payer can be expected to do that.
Yes, some people do get help towards the cost of childcare if they go out to work and need to pay for care, but as cat says, it doesnt cover the cost of it. And some of us get no help towards it at all! I went out to work for a number of years and virtually all my income went on two sets of nursery fees, with no government help!
I dont think you're in a bad position - you can look after a preschooler full time, and then maybe do some after school/holiday care for older ones, all without having to pay out on care for your own kids. And as your kids get older, if you still want to be a CM, you will be able to take on more little ones