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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

CM CLUB - Why don't people respect Childminder's?

28 replies

LoveMyGirls · 29/05/2007 21:32

Why?

I have my own business, i'm a business woman i deserve a bit of respect, I'm currently being treated as someone who would otherwise be at home, so it doesn't matter if people mess me about because i'd be here with my kids anyway - No i wouldn't I'd have to work because I have to earn a living, my dp is not on enough to afford for me to be a sahm and i don't get help with childcare costs from wftc.

Why is this such an unrecognised job?
It's hard, it's not like looking after your own children, it's much more responsibility, paperwork, planning etc etc

Will this ever change?

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Katymac · 29/05/2007 21:41

If you use a good childminer - often you will expect her to be better

I sent out questionaires recently and got a poor result

I got 40% replys - half said I was fab, half said I needed to try harder
The other 60% didn't bother (despite being chased for them)

We are trained, often supported, independant and hard working - but for everyone of us that is good there is an equal number (IMO) who are only doing this because their children are young & they want to stay at home - and do it with little effort to "run a business"

Original poster
LoveMyGirls · 29/05/2007 21:40

Charging alot more sounds appealing but not going to happen - ever, people already moan about the cost of childcare, I can understand it from their point of view especially those who don't get help with it. What annoys me is the way people don't expect you to charge if they don't want the care for a week/ few hours a day etc like because they suddenly don't need me i suddenly don't have my own children/ bills to pay for.

The way they can't even be bothered to phone me, it's always me chasing them to find out arrangements, if i don't i'm left hanging not having a clue in which case i turn others away who need the space and are happy to pay for it etc etc

OP posts:
bonkerz · 29/05/2007 21:35

not sure it will TBH unless we start charging alot more!! I offer more activities than the nursery i worked at, i offer better cooked food than the nursery and i offer a better standard of care than the nursery i worked at BUT agree it is not recognised by others...although my parents of my 2 full timers definaely know they are on to a good thing!