To quit a 50k a year job to retrain as a childminder?

You'll regret it. What happens when your kid goes to school?

I did it but my salary was half of yours.

I started my training when DD was around 5 months old, started taking in children when she was around 9 months. I deliberately kept numbers very low, in fact only had 2 children who were very similar ages as DD. And had one day just for us. We did lots of playgroups and trips out and activities with other local childminders.

It worked for us. It gave me the time I wanted to be home with DD as well as earning some money as well. DD is now 11 and I don't regret it at all.

But again, my salary was only half what you are thinking of giving up

OP, you know it is your hormones talking. In 3 months time you won't feel this way. When you first go back to work and leave PFB it feels like your heart is breaking but after 4 months you feel differently, your baby will have settled at nursery by then too.

As a childminder your main income is the under 5s, of which you are only allowed to care for 3 at anytime. Your child/ children count in these ratios so you will already be 1 space down. It’s long hours for very little reward, training and paperwork is all in your own time , you will lose money when you are sick, on holiday, if a client leaves and you are unable to fill space. Parents will all want the funding when there child reaches 3 and funding does not even cover the cost of the space your provide.

I think you’re crazy because it’s the sort of job I’d hate but there are others who love it.

My sons’ old childminder seemed to, she had older children and loved her job.

I found looking after one baby hard and I adored him. Looking after others would make me miserable.

I can promise you that you'll regret this. You have a good, high earning career. Your baby is so young that you don't feel touched out and annoyed.

Basically, your hormones are calling to you in the same way that mermaids call to you from the deep. Resist!

Reconsider in a year's time.

What happens in three years when your child goes to school? Will you still want to look after other people's kids?

I would suggest going part time for a while. Three days a week was perfect for me when my kids were little. But your career will never recover from a long break, and it will put you in a very vulnerable position.

Don't do it OP.

You won't be looking after your children. You will be looking after other people's children too.

Having personally used a CM very briefly who also had her own children at home, I would never use another CM who had their own children as well. She clearly didn't know what she was doing, couldn't cope with my eldest son and blatantly was only in it for some money for nothing while she looked after her own daughter. Another mum at DC school also used her (again briefly) and also formed the same opinion of her.

I'm sure there are ones with their own kids are home who are great. Our subsequent childminder was amazing and we still see her lots even though we don't use her anymore. So it's not all CM, just the ones who think having a baby makes them qualified.

My friend was a childminder. It ended up costing her money, she was never ‘full’ because people wanted certain days and not others, and she spent a large amount on crafts, toys, going out. Then there was the paperwork, which was insane. And parents took the piss constantly, she was always having to chase for money, they would quibble over everything. Her own kids hated having to share her.
She quit, took a year to enjoy them, then once in preschool got a job in a nursery setting as she had qualifications in childcare anyway.
Not a chance would I ditch a 50k job for that.
Your child will be fine in a nursery, really.

Yes insane. Also, I must admit I would be hesitant about a childminder who was also looking after their own child at the same time. I would always suspect that their child would get most of the attention

Crazy. It’s really hard looking after multiple children, you might see your daughter but it’s not quality time. It’s trying to balance lots of differing needs simultaneously. Also you make rubbish money, your house gets a fair amount of wear and tear too.

How likely is it you could take a 2 year break from your career and return?

Do you like other children too?

You’re insane. How long exactly have you been back to work? Your child is probably quite annoying but because she is yours, you love her anyway and it’s hard to be apart. Other people’s children are annoying full stop.

But you wouldn't be spending quality time with just your DC would you, you'd be having to give proper structured care to other people's DC too. Plus what about when your DC are at school and you've given up your well paid career to be a childminder instead. Totally fine if you're doing it because you'd love the job, but not just because you're finding the adjustment of returning to work tough.

I know it's tough leaving them when they're small though, so not an easy decision

Insane. You'd also be giving up or compromising future career progression. Do you like your job?