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Original poster

Childminders Club: Opinions on the constant recruitment of C/Mers - when there is a chronic shortage of children??

32 replies

KatieMac · 20/02/2005 21:10

What a long title....

I am NOT having a go at recently registered Childminders at all - so please don't take offence (I've only been at it less than 2 yrs)

But in my area C/Mers who have been minding for years (from 5 to 15) are all short of children. Mainly due to childrens centres/surestart nurserys/private nurserys (with Gov grants for building - not children).

However there are still adverts for childminder all over the place. And regular meeting are set up by our surestart people to induct new childminders??

Some new childminders in my network have not had any children (or maybe 1 P't) since they started over 7 months in 1 case.

Is there a problem with the Gov policies?

Any thoughts?

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Original poster
KatieMac · 21/02/2005 20:06

Stickynote - my local Mum & toddler group is avail, or you can negociate a p/t rate with a childminder - but that would only be with the number of children that I had on that day.

I'm not up for running a toddler group on top of all I do....

OP posts:
stickynote · 21/02/2005 11:54

I'm a SAHM but one thing I'd be very interested in (and which AFAIK isn't offered in my area) is a small playgroup aimed at 18mths-2.5 year olds. A couple of hours one or two mornings a week would be fantastic - gives me a break and would get my little one used to being without me. My older two both did this (abroad) and it worked really well.

Just a thought.

Original poster
KatieMac · 21/02/2005 11:48

DH works evenings - so I'd need a babysitters too....Thanks for the thought tho'

OP posts:
ssd · 21/02/2005 09:41

KM, have you thought about offering an evening babysitting service? This might drum up some income for you....

RTKangaMummy · 20/02/2005 21:38

KMc

love the title btw must be one of the longest

Will prob make some people annoyed but so what that is their problem

I don't have the same problem as you so can't really comment

sorry

Original poster
KatieMac · 20/02/2005 21:33

The local after school club (2 villages over) is doing a holiday club from 8am to 6pm for £10

I don't know how to compete with that

I have 2 F/t and 2 p/t vacancies and have had since November.

And 3 new ladies turned up at my local network meeting - they registered in Jan

I'm not sure where to go??What to do??
Advertising isn't working

OP posts:
nikkim · 20/02/2005 21:27

"Is there a problem with the Gov policies?"

Yes, but don't get me started. I recently read an artcile in professional childcare raising the same query.

I am in the process of applying to be a childminder and it has crossed my mind how many children can there possibly be who need minding, especially as local primary schools are having to cut staff due to falling birth rates.

Having spoken to local childminders and from the adverts I have seen in local shops libraries etc there does seem to be a surplus, unless these childminders are not very good and therefore not getting any mindees - but then why have they been approved - why isn't someone helping them to improve.

But is childminding quite a fluid occupation, people filling in a few gap years and then moving on, so childminding reserves need building up. I have also noticed on our training courses quite a high drop out rate, so the active recruiting has to allow for this.

But as you say there are increasing numbers of neighbourhood/surestart nurseries which are an attractive option especially for those on a limited income or poeple leaving benefits and entering the workforce.

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