To move north and become a childminder?

Reading the your DH has worked remotely for 10+ years I'd say go for it.

My SiL has worked remotely for years too, roughly 20+ yrs. They now live Derbyshire but moved from Sheffield to Christchurch New Zealand to Auckland New Zealand back to UK all with the same remote job.

His mum is a widow and lives in Cambridgeshire, I live in Yorkshire so it's not too bad now but for years DD, SiL and DGD were at 20+ hours 1 or 2 stop flight away and we managed.

You will find your way either as a Child Minder or some other job and as your DD grows your opportunities will change but but being able to afford a home or your own will only get harder.

We've seen house prices rise a great deal even in some ordinary places up north. Places like York and Harrogate have always had a premium but other places are catching up fast so if you have a place in mind and a working plan go for it. I wish you all the very best xx

You are very welcome…good luck with your move!

You need to pick a house very carefully if it’s the intention for your DH to work in the same place as you care for children. You need quiet and peace to wfh.

Thank you, very helpful post for the OP and others. I'll be moving to Scotland and I'm a similar position to OP.

I think it makes perfect sense. My eldest DS couldn't afford to buy a house in Midlands so moved up North and bought a 2 bedroom terraced house he's very happy in. He is a class 1 lorry driver so got a new job immediately as there is a shortage of them nationally. He has made several good friends and his best friend from school also lives in same city he moved to. He found a wonderful gf and can afford a decent lifestyle with a couple of holidays each year. Money goes further in North. When I visit him I notice cheaper prices on menus when I take him for a meal out.

One thing to consider when chosing the specific location.
If his job disappeared, would he be able to get another fully remote now? If the fully remote was not available, is some area better than others for finding some/any other job with some level of comuting?

Yes I would as that improves your quality of life. Having more space, owning property and being with your daughter more. Your parents may protest but they got to choose where they live and so do you. People move all of the time for work/buy cheaper property/scenic area.

I’m in England, in the midlands.

Living in the North is very different. Easier if one of you has Northern connections. The weather is different. The humour is different. Depending on where you are the attitude to you may not always be sincere. There is banter as it is known but be prepared too for some who really will not like you because you are Southern. There are some good people and beautiful countryside.
I find people in the South far more blunt and straightforward. They don’t pretend to be your friend if they aren’t.
Think carefully about it.

Definitely go for it.
We moved 3 counties away from my parents. I did feel very guilty.
2 years later, they wanted to downsize and moved up here too.

Are you in England or Scotland if you don't mind me asking please?
Thanks.

Do it . It’s the best for your family

Agreed.
Don't let the wider family issues put you off. You will work out how/when to meet up with family.
It sounds like it will so much better for you.
What are you waiting for?

Good luck x

Go for it! Your parents can come and stay and will still have a lovely relationship with your daughter.

Hi op first off the nursery should know who is hurting your daughter it’s not about being allowed to run she shouldn’t have to. That’s a lot of injuries in a short time maybe say if it happens again you will contact ofsted. Moving sounds better all round for you all if your parents have others close by then do it because some schools are not that easy to get into and if you can buy start looking because where I live the houses are sold within a week or two at most renting is just as hard so getting a house is your priority then you can decide about your business I’m sure there always a need for childminders.

Childminder here…
It’s a fantastic job, and I love it.
Things to consider…
after doing all the courses etc, it takes a LONG time to build up your business, I’ve been established 14 years, but in the beginning I worked weekends/late nights etc.
Try to find a house where it’s possible to have one room for childminding exclusively, that way you keep all the toys in there, so they are not all over your house!
You will be running your own business, with all that entails (although paperwork regarding the children is now minimal)
Although it’s a wonderful job, it can be extremely stressful, pick your parents VERY carefully (I consider the parents more than the children at interview stage)
Sign up to childcare.co.uk, in the beginning all my children came from there.
On a positive note, since the funding came in, childminding can be extremely lucrative, I earn £40 an hour, work 4 days a week, and I don’t do school pick up/drop offs.
Good luck, feel free to ask me any questions if you have them!

A reason we chose to settle in NI was housing affordability and quick 1 hour flight to parents.

If I were you I'd join some childminding groups on FB and enquire about how much work there is around before you decide on that being your occupation. We are seeing a massive drop in birth rates and I'm reading all across the country currently CM's are having trouble filling all of their spaces.

I moved to Yorkshire from Essex this week. Such a beautiful large house and lots of money left over.

If I were you I’d go for it, or move your daughter.

There are lots of lovely places in the North of the UK and it sounds like it would be much better for you all round.

It sounds like you have already picked somewhere but have you considered trainlines? It is much quicker for me to get the train to London (as an example) than it is to drive, and much nicer! Would you be close to a suitable train to visit family that way?

My family moved from south to north 4 years ago. A 3 bed house was sold, and a 4 bed detatched, with extensions was bought for less money, meaning they are now mortgage free. I did the same move, but I rent. It depends whereabouts in the north you are looking at. We are on the edge of a busy tourist area as well.
I would say go for it, providing the finances work for you.

The north is very vague where would you be looking? I would do some research on practicalities of childminding. I looked into it while mine were younger but decided it wasn't really practical. Will your husband work from home? How will he manage with a houseful of children?

Do some research into demand in that area for childminders, what the going rate is etc. It needs to be financially viable.

That's shocking imo, where are the staff when this is happening? If they know she's vulnerable to being attacked by other children shouldn't they be keeping a closer eye?

Absolutely move for a better quality of life! Re your job, it sounds a bit extreme becoming a childminder unless you really want to - you could continue with pt office work and just find better childcare. Especially as you only have one so your home won't be too chaotic and your childcare years will pass quickly. The childminders I know are great, but work very hard (often 7.30 til 6) with little flexibility for their own holidays etc because they have to work around the needs of the families, and obviously the day is always structured around 2 school runs, come rain or shine. Would it work having your DH wfh if you have kids there?