Setting up as a Childminder during holidays.....?

[Snowdays23]

Hi
I am level 3 qualified. Used to be a childminder 6 years ago but decided to work at a preschool term time only after splitting up with ExH.
My DD is now older (9) so I am able to work more and want to earn more money.
Dont really want to leave the preschool as I enjoy it but thinking maybe I could set up a 'holiday club' in the holidays but not sure I would get any interest.
What are your thoughts? Ideally school age children
Thanks

Could you perhaps market it as an option to families at the preschool? If someone at my sons preschool who he liked offered this I’d consider sending him and his big sister but am not sure I’d do it with a random.

I think this would be fabulous and I'd even suggest one day in the weekend. The only thing I'm.not sure about is I think (young) children need the consistency and familiarity so I don't know how well it would work from a practical sense. I can imagine a lot of crying and needy children

What makes you unsure whether there’s enough interest? My children aren’t at school yet so it wouldn’t be for me but the women I worked with all seemed to have real trouble finding childcare throughout the holidays so this idea seems ideal.

I suppose the main issue would be cost though. They may feel that your holiday club would be very useful but whether they can afford it may be another matter

Im not sure I could offer it to the preschool children as might be crossing the line.....
BUT I live in a village where I work and many people know me.
I was thinking of children say 4+, not sure id want babies and toddlers....

Hmmm. I'm torn on this. I can totally see a market for this and as someone with a Reception-aged child, I can see the benefit. But our school run a holiday club that is reasonably priced where most of his friends are going and which is in a familiar environment and I'd probably always choose that for him over your proposed set up.

Thats the other thing, cost, our local school offers a few days in holidays with a sports club for £25 9-4 which is very good value!

CM here, I work term time but around us there is a huge need for holiday cover & plenty other CMs do similar to what you're suggesting. Several advertise around this time for Easter & summer hols spaces, they are basically able to pick those families who suit with their own school aged children - advertise specific days out. None of them have any difficulty filling as many days as they are prepared to work, they do ensure that some time is set aside to spend just with their own children though which seems to strike the right balance.
There is competition from out of school clubs/ holiday clubs/ teachers doing holiday cover etc but tbh there seems to be such high demand they are all able to survive quite happily, this is outskirts of large city.

I think it could work but you would presumably have to get your ofsted registration and associated insurances so not sure how much of a return you would get once you factor in all if your costs of activities etc. I guess it depends on demand in your area and how much you could charge.

I think it would be popular. All the holiday clubs I see advertised are these full on "camps" for specific things - sports camps, drama camps, art camps etc etc when all the parents want is some childcare and all the children want is to have a "normal' school holiday of playing with their toys, going to the park and popping into the library.
A childminder can give them an "at home" environment which for many children they would prefer.

few days

This was the issue I had, a few days wasn't enough. We certainly needed a holiday childminder, one that was willing to do things, park, beach (if near) even collect from holiday club.

My kids are 6 and 9 and spend a lot of time at holiday clubs, they’d only consider going if their friends were there, and also if there were enough activities to not be boring. Crafts and movies don’t cut it anymore. I think it could do really well, or be a total flop. Depends on what stuff you will have for them to do, and how many kids you will be having.

I think it has merit especially if you're able to offer standard hours as opposed to school hours ie 9-3 which is common round here and no help if you work a standard day.

Sounds great, it would be very popular in my area.
Could the preschool have increased business by offering a holiday club that you would offer to lead?

A TA locally runs a holiday club like this, they have a club house and qualify as a social enterprise - it's lovely.
She takes children from all schools and also does craft parties.

Also would you be ofstead registered so people could use tax free childcare etc?

If you're looking for school age children I would have a look at what other holiday clubs are in the area and how much they charge. It can be hard for childminders to be competitive on price but you can offer more of a home environment, trips out, be more flexible, have extended hours etc.
As a childminder I do occasionally get asked about holiday care for school age children, (it's not something I usually offer) but more often now it's nursery/ preschool age looking for holiday cover, although if you only have children aged over 8 the registration and inspection process would be much easier.
I think it could definitely work.

Thanks everyone.
Yes obviously I would register with Ofsted on the older register or younger one too, not sure yet or with an independant company.
It was just an idea I was throwing out there.
Seems like there could be scope for it.