Childminders - will you be working if schools close?

[MyMushroomsInATimeSlip]

I'm a single parent to a primary age child and work in healthcare. No family to help and all friends are working. I'm absolutely shitting it about finding childcare if schools close and spent another sleepless night panicking. If you are a childminder will you be working and taking new children?

I’ve read that schools will be providing childcare cover for key NHS staff.... I guess the question is, what will be defined as key staff!! Drs and nurses, obviously, but we also need domestics to be cleaning, ward clerks for all the patient notes/admin, kitchen staff to keep us fed, physios, pharmacists etc. I was reading on another thread that people are still going to have to pay for childcare even if it’s not open. That would have a massive financial impact on us, if one of us had to stop work for childcare so wasn’t earning but still had to pay for said childcare!

I'm planning to work until they tell me I can't and yes, I will be asking parents who are able to to temporarily give up spaces for essential workers.

If I don't work I don't eat.

My sister has been in isolation for two weeks and had to pay for full childcare costs even though the baby was with her.

My childminder has said she will work until she is told not to . She never charges when she doesn’t have children so while this helps me I imagine will be very difficult for her if she isn’t working .

Thank you. Some reassuring messages there. Don't know if I should start phoning round local cms yet?

I know Cms who are planning to carry on (and have kids if schools shut) for as long as they can.

It's also worth looking out for people who are not cms but who have CRB and experience of working with kids, who could work doing childcare -for example actors who always struggle and are struggling even more so now - who teach at Saturday morning /after school stage schools and dance lessons etc. Dance teachers who will have classes cancelled , uni students home from college early, people who work as tutors /kumon etc.

All of those people will be looking for work , have a kid friendly focus and are safe and checked.

Look on local FB and other apps.

Thank you @lightlypoached. Good ideas which I'll look into though not sure when is the right time. Nothing yet on any local facebook etc but I guess it's all up in the air so far. I'm struggling with the uncertainty of it all. I'm in a rural area and worried how this is going to work.

Hey Childminder here
Yes I will be open providing myself or my children are well.
I have a 5yr old so if schools shut I have offered to have some of her friends.
I have ratios that I need to stick to, so can’t have loads of kiddies, although I have some CM friends who I know will be having more over 5s, bending the rules slightly. 🤷🏻‍♀️ My Ofsted inspection is due so I won’t be doing that. Although I doubt the inspectors are working that much at the moment.

I am closely following the advice given by PHE and the Government.

I've issued new policies to my parents requesting they do not bring children in to childcare who have a new cough or a high temperature.

I will work as long as I can to provide childcare and if schools close. Most of my parents are teachers so I doubt they would bring their children in to me if they aren't going in to work themselves. I would use those empty spaces to help others get in to work by offering to have their children.

However, I will close if advised to by either Government, PHE or Ofsted. I have to look after myself (I'm diabetic) and my family.

We need to get this into perspective and try not to panic.

I'm a nanny and I will be carrying on until/if I literally can't. I have told the mum that I will be happy to have a couple of extras if needed, provided they are fit and well, to help other parents out.

I'm staying open until I'm told not to.
Deep cleaning every night 😫 but needs to be done!
If a child has a new cough or a high temperature they need to stay away for a week or until symptoms have gone.
If I close no charge. If child is off while I'm open full cost applies. It's only far. We are self employed. We need to live too!

The childminder I used to use will carry on until officially told not to, as would the majority I imagine. If they don’t work they might not get paid.

My childminder is staying open until
the government says not to. However I’ve already offer to help my dr sis out if something happens to my niece’s nursery. I’m sure other parents will help you out as well. (I’ve already offered to a nurse friend of mine and it was gratefully accepted - DD won’t be as bored either with a friend around.)

Just a reminder that it’s illegal for anyone to be paid for childcare in their home or a rented space without registering and following the legal processes. You may also find that some settings, such as dance and drama clubs etc that offer childcare beyond 2 hours, could be doing so illegally.

You can employ someone to work in your own home as a nanny without any registrations or qualifications but would not be able to pay using childcare vouchers unless they are registered through an agency or similar