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

I don’t think people are saying it’s an awful job I think people are saying it can be a difficult and full on job and that it shouldn’t be rushed into just because someone wants to stay home with their own baby especially when leaving a well paid job. ( it’s double my salary so I see it is as well paid!)

Have you any childcare experience? I used to be a nursery nurse and it was hard work being in a small room with several children for 9 hour days and it was my chosen career so I knew what I wanted to do. Children can be a joy to be around I loved ( still love) working with children but don’t underestimate how hard it is day in day out.

What if your child is crying and another needs your attention at the same time?

Paperwork/OFSTED/inspections/procedures in place/ having your home as a work place. Does your LA/agency offer any training, guidance or support. I’m not sure but you mayneed first aid/food hygiene type certs too.

You’ll need a variety of toys/equipment. So your home may look different, not just your child’s toys. Would you partner accept this?

How would you take the children out? Lots of childminders go on trips out or walks out and about.

Are there childminders in your local area, is there a need for more? What are the fees they charge, how much would you be looking at when ‘full’ but bear in mind you may need to survive on less . Cost of living is risings quickly so will it be enough for your household? Advertising or word of mouth type posts on local groups etc.

Dealing with financial side, setting up payments, recording it all, chasing parents that don’t pay on time. Developing parent relationships isn’t always as easy as it should be.

There’s so much to consider. I wouldn’t say don’t do it but make sure that you are fully prepared to do it properly and fully informed before you take the plunge.

If childminding was a career you would have seriously considered pre children, then maybe. If it's only occurred to you because of your current circumstances then I'd say no. Child minding seems to be one of those things people think they can turn their hand to once they have kids. I think you have to have the right skills to begin with.

Well i wouldnt! I do sometimes think id love it but i couldnt be at the mercy of people paying me and i think youre a bit stuck in it....plus theyll be at achool bwfoew you know it. Can you go part time?

Definitely a bad idea. Giving up your career (and pension) for a job that’s poorly paid and not easy would be a crazy move. Why not take a career break or go part time for a little while?

But I do worry that I'd regret this massively when she's older and I'm more comfortable with the separation from her

So I think you already know that it would be the wrong decision for you.

I'd go back for 6 months, and see how you really feel about work/life balance when you're actually doing it (and in comfortable circumstances, where you'll be able to afford the childcare of your choice). If it's not working out, then you can negotiate flexible working, or take a sabbatical or quit (with intention of rejoining workforce at some point, not necessarily immediately)

Don't just jump into a new and quite demanding job with significant regulation and start up requirements. Not now whilst your baby is so small anyway - much easier to go back to work you are familiar with in the first instance

It’s insane. No one wants to leave their child to work.

1. None of us can guarantee our relationships will last and if you split up with her dad a child minders wage won’t go far. It’s a short fall from the penthouse to the pavement. Much shorter than people think.

2. Pension contributions.

3. She’s 9 months so she’s still cute. One day she’ll be two years old throwing tantrums like confetti and screaming like a banshee.

4. Most self employed people fail, if not in the first 5 years then within the 10, it’s incredibly hard having to generate your own clients etc then chasing for payment. I’m SE and getting out, I’m sick of chasing invoices, irregular income, no work-life balance, worrying I won’t get paid in time for the mortgage.

I would also go part time, and maybe look at different options for childcare.

Can your partner help with childcare so you both drop down to 4 days per week? That way you both get an extra day with her, and only need childcare 3 days per week.

Its not uncommon that when women are pregnant they want to train as a midwife, when they have babies they want to be a childminder, when they’re in school they want to be a teacher, etc.

You’re just loving being a parent and looking for ways to keep that focus.
If you hate you’re job then definitely look for something else. Presumably there’s lots you like about your current profession as you chose it initially, but if not so much, then go for a career change. But don’t make your child the focus of it because they’ll be onto another phase sooner than you’ll know x

I also vote for reducing your current hours at work or the option of taking a years unpaid sabbatical.

When my eldest was a baby I was also devastated at returning to work, would do anything to be with her. I’m a primary teacher and loved my job but would have given it all up for her, I was so miserable at work without her.
However, I’m so glad I didn’t! That gorgeous baby is now a gorgeous 7 year old! She wants after school clubs, new clothes, things for school etc and I want to make her happy (within reason) so working gives me the chance to make sure she can try things. The benefits of my job are great now, I’m so glad I stuck with it.

Problem with being a childminder is you’d be expected to go out to parks, libraries, soft play etc with other people’s children even if you want to be with yours. Your house is your work and your daughter will have to share you. What happens when she’s at school and you’re doing this day in day out?

Not all childminders are inspected by OFSTED

Isn't a childminder who's not ofsted registered a babysitter?

OP can you go part time in your job, it sounds like you'd be okay money wise to take a drop in pay? You'd then get quality time a few days a week with your little one. There's nothing wrong with being a childminder if it's genuinely what you want to do, but it's bloody hard work and there's a chance your DD will find it really hard 'sharing' you.

Career break or part time is your friend here. If you're going to retain in childcare and take a pay cut them this is a more sensible, short - medium term solution

Insane!!!

I did this OP, but I was miserable in my pre-baby job, and I wasn't being paid as well, AND I really am interested in education so I thought it would be a great fit for me.
On the plus side, yes, I got to spend every minute with my ds. But, if I was making a snack or something, and I heard a child trip and fall, I'd hope it was my ds and not one of the other children I was trusted to look after.
I spent so much money on resources, changing my house etc, and earned pittance as a childminder. The childcare system in the UK is broken - it's the biggest bill for parents, but childcare providers close all the time because they can't afford to keep going.
The paperwork is relentless. You have to keep all financial records, health and safety, you need a million policies, visitor records to your home, contracts, first aid events, safeguarding, allergy info and notices for all the food you prep. And then also the learning records of the children whose education you're responsible for and must be able to evidence for Ofsted. It is a lot for one person, who also has a baby. There is no break either, and it can be quite isolating. Yes there are baby groups etc but I was too busy with the children to chat to other childminders or anything like that.
And the parents can be nightmares. They'll send sick kids to your house KNOWING their child had d&v the night before and lie about it, making your own kids sick, and they will quibble over money/be late for pick up or drop off/etc

On the upside, I really loved the children I minded and I really loved seeing them progress and learn and overcome difficulties - but my child did suffer as he never got me to himself and really if I'm being honest, he was along for the ride, while the other kids had to have more attention as they were my "job". I didn't childmind for long. As soon as my little cohort went to school, I quit.

My friend did this and has never been happier actually. She does it four days a week and a bit of after school care, a few toddlers and the odd baby. It has let her be with her own kids but she loves kids.

She needed a seven seater car so that’s an expense to think about if you need it

She hated office work and has enjoyed her life since immensely!

Wouldn't a compromise be to reduce to 3 or 4 days a week? Presumably you'd still be earning 60-80% of your current salary or thereabouts, and then you have more,days to actually spend quality time with your child.

10.months isn't a long mat leave. Before walking away, I would look at your options carefully. See if you can work less or fewer longer days. Potentially ask for a unpaid leave whilst think things through.

You are not just giving up q job you enjoy, you are giving up a decent pension.

I took long maternity leaves and went part time after DC. For a few months before mat leave with DC 2 I went full time and it was hell. Emotionally it was really difficult for both me and DC1, and I haven't returned to full time work since - I'm on 30 hours now as the oldest is in school, middle in pre school and it fits much better around our lives. WFH on top of that with no commute and being able to pop up and see the younger 2 at lunch time etc is just bliss. I take them to school, I'm there when we get back, it's what I always wanted.

I would negotiate reduced hours ic you're happy to earn less, that time when they are so young really it worth it.

Can you compromise and work fewer days?

Insane decision really. You must be used to lead and call at least part of the shots on that salary. You are not going to take it well be patronised by others who you may consider not to be as knowledgeable as you even when moving into a new profession you know little about.

You will loose a big part of your identity on the move and although you love your kid, you may not find it that easy to put up with other people’s children, especially if they start being not so nice to your kid.

I became a SAHM working side jobs when DS was little, thinking I would be ok and could come back to my profession when I was ready. Sadly, I worked in a fast moving industry and by the time I wanted back a couple of years later I was trapped in a circle where I couldn’t apply for jobs at my previous level because I didn’t have recent experience and I was not getting any junior jobs either because I was overqualified.

So here I am, 15 years later, still doing jobs I hate where I am patronised everyday. But what I resent the most of my stupid decision is that if I had stayed in my previous professional job I would have been able to provide better for my son, instead we have had to scrap by for years just to keep a roof over our heads and also… DS doesn’t remember ANY of all those days and activities we had when he was young, the only thing he has and will not forget is that we have always struggled financially.

I used a CM for 10 years . She was amazing and did it as a career choice (was previously a nursery teacher) but I remember thinking on one more than one occasion at pickup how ironic it was that she moved to CMing to spend more time with her son but that he often got very little attention as she was focussed on the other children’s safety and development/deaiing with parents.

I would be considering part-time/compressed hours if you can. I worked 4 days compressed into 3.5 and my dh 5 days in 4 so dds were only in childcare 2.5 days a week and knowing that I was spending some of my week with them was enough for me and enabled me to enjoy the days I was in. You then keep your options open for going back to f/t when they get to preschool/school age if you wanted to (although I didn’t, I still do those hours and dd are 11 and 14!). Plus if you are planning a 2nd that’s a big chunk of time you’ll be at home again. You’ll be amazed how quickly the few years they are at home goes. I’m really glad I kept my career going personally.

Retraining, getting all the documents and official recognition is no small task. I totally sympathise with your feelings but wonder whether a year out wouldn't be less hassle, fix the immediate problem and then go back to work a year later?
I took time out of my career for this, don't regret it for a moment, and am heading back into my career now which is going well. I've regressed slightly but don't envisage that being forever. Depends on your field though.
The development and security I was able to give my kids was better than they would have got in nursery imo, and seeing the people they are today I am still happy with my choice, and now enjoying getting stuck into work without feeling that I should be somewhere else.

Can you go back to work part time? You could do 3 or 4 days and still earn way more than a childminder and have more time with your DC totally focused on them. Working in a low paid job you will be working more hours for much less money and as other PPs have pointed out you won't actually be getting that one on one time with your child as you'll have other people's DCs to look after.

I was having the same wobble as you going back to work (again high paid but boring/stressful/long hours). I went back 4 days and was very strict with my working hours which was a good balance. As it happened after a year I found the day "off" with my toddler much harder than working and missed the extra money so upped my hours back to full time. I'm on mat leave with my second now and planning on doing the same.

Oh and how will you feel when you can't only concentrate on your child because the others are taking up a third of the attention?