To quit a 50k a year job to retrain as a childminder?

[careerchangemaybe]

Just that really. I've recently returned to my job from maternity leave and I'm just hating the time apart from my DC, who is only 9 months. It's inspired me to consider a change of career to enable me to look after my child myself whilst earning a living. I know I'll make nowhere near my current salary but I'll be with my baby, so surely that makes up for the loss of money? Would this be an insane decision?? I do feel like I'm basing this more on emotions than logic. So happy to be told it's insane...

Insane. You'd also be giving up or compromising future career progression. Do you like your job?

But you wouldn't be spending quality time with just your DC would you, you'd be having to give proper structured care to other people's DC too. Plus what about when your DC are at school and you've given up your well paid career to be a childminder instead. Totally fine if you're doing it because you'd love the job, but not just because you're finding the adjustment of returning to work tough.

I know it's tough leaving them when they're small though, so not an easy decision

You’re insane. How long exactly have you been back to work? Your child is probably quite annoying but because she is yours, you love her anyway and it’s hard to be apart. Other people’s children are annoying full stop.

Do you like other children too?

Crazy. It’s really hard looking after multiple children, you might see your daughter but it’s not quality time. It’s trying to balance lots of differing needs simultaneously. Also you make rubbish money, your house gets a fair amount of wear and tear too.

How likely is it you could take a 2 year break from your career and return?

Yes insane. Also, I must admit I would be hesitant about a childminder who was also looking after their own child at the same time. I would always suspect that their child would get most of the attention

My friend was a childminder. It ended up costing her money, she was never ‘full’ because people wanted certain days and not others, and she spent a large amount on crafts, toys, going out. Then there was the paperwork, which was insane. And parents took the piss constantly, she was always having to chase for money, they would quibble over everything. Her own kids hated having to share her.
She quit, took a year to enjoy them, then once in preschool got a job in a nursery setting as she had qualifications in childcare anyway.
Not a chance would I ditch a 50k job for that.
Your child will be fine in a nursery, really.

Don't do it OP.

You won't be looking after your children. You will be looking after other people's children too.

Having personally used a CM very briefly who also had her own children at home, I would never use another CM who had their own children as well. She clearly didn't know what she was doing, couldn't cope with my eldest son and blatantly was only in it for some money for nothing while she looked after her own daughter. Another mum at DC school also used her (again briefly) and also formed the same opinion of her.

I'm sure there are ones with their own kids are home who are great. Our subsequent childminder was amazing and we still see her lots even though we don't use her anymore. So it's not all CM, just the ones who think having a baby makes them qualified.

To answer a few questions:

Yes I do like my job. Covid aside - which has wreaked havoc within my industry - I do really enjoy what I do and I've put in over a decade of hard work and study to climb the career ladder. I think it's the difficult adjustment after mat leave that's clouding my judgement ... I only went back at the beginning of January after almost 10 months off with my baby.

I do like children in general, yes, specifically helping them to learn and develop. My original ambition was to be a primary school teacher.

But I do worry that I'd regret this massively when she's older and I'm more comfortable with the separation from her.

What happens in three years when your child goes to school? Will you still want to look after other people's kids?

I would suggest going part time for a while. Three days a week was perfect for me when my kids were little. But your career will never recover from a long break, and it will put you in a very vulnerable position.

I can promise you that you'll regret this. You have a good, high earning career. Your baby is so young that you don't feel touched out and annoyed.

Basically, your hormones are calling to you in the same way that mermaids call to you from the deep. Resist!

Reconsider in a year's time.

I think you’re crazy because it’s the sort of job I’d hate but there are others who love it.

My sons’ old childminder seemed to, she had older children and loved her job.

I found looking after one baby hard and I adored him. Looking after others would make me miserable.

As a childminder your main income is the under 5s, of which you are only allowed to care for 3 at anytime. Your child/ children count in these ratios so you will already be 1 space down. It’s long hours for very little reward, training and paperwork is all in your own time , you will lose money when you are sick, on holiday, if a client leaves and you are unable to fill space. Parents will all want the funding when there child reaches 3 and funding does not even cover the cost of the space your provide.

OP, you know it is your hormones talking. In 3 months time you won't feel this way. When you first go back to work and leave PFB it feels like your heart is breaking but after 4 months you feel differently, your baby will have settled at nursery by then too.

I did it but my salary was half of yours.

I started my training when DD was around 5 months old, started taking in children when she was around 9 months. I deliberately kept numbers very low, in fact only had 2 children who were very similar ages as DD. And had one day just for us. We did lots of playgroups and trips out and activities with other local childminders.

It worked for us. It gave me the time I wanted to be home with DD as well as earning some money as well. DD is now 11 and I don't regret it at all.

But again, my salary was only half what you are thinking of giving up

You'll regret it. What happens when your kid goes to school?

Absolutely mental, don't do it. Childminding is awful.

@Meatshake

Absolutely mental, don't do it. Childminding is awful.

How so?

@caringcarer

OP, you know it is your hormones talking. In 3 months time you won't feel this way. When you first go back to work and leave PFB it feels like your heart is breaking but after 4 months you feel differently, your baby will have settled at nursery by then too.

Yes, it does feel like my heart is breaking. I hate leaving her. I feel so guilty and just yearn for her most of the day.

@itwasntaparty

You'll regret it. What happens when your kid goes to school?

I'm not sure. I guess I'd continue? Haven't thought that far ahead. Maybe I should! 🙈

I don't think you're insane!

I kniqseveral people who have become childminders. The time you spend with your DC will be good quality time the same as spending that with any other child you mind.
Running a business is good experience too no matter what job you do, and whilst you might not earn £50k pa, you might not be massively far off. You never know, you might convert this to a more formal business and employ people. If uou do open nursery you will ddf earn more than you do now. The sky's the limit!

Don't be constrained by what others think, this is your choice, do what you want! You can always go back to your old field when your DC is at school if you want.

Don’t even think about it ….
You’ll regret it …
It’s hard leaving your baby but you will both adjust …
It’s early days with your return to work .. give it time …

Gosh no, I’d kill for 50K

I'm going to go against the grain here. I was in a 40K a year job and couldn't stand the thought of going to work and putting my babies in a nursery.

I became a childminder when mine were toddlers. They are now tweens and I don't regret it at all. We've had some lovely times together. We also have fond memories of sharing those times with other little ones too.

There are some drawbacks. You need to keep your own child's precious toys in their room. Only sharing toys for mindees to play with too.
I only work part time. I thing doing it full time will take over your life.
It is hard for your own children at times. I decided early on never to mind peers. I only took care of younger children to avoid too much conflict/jealousy.
You will become overrun with toys and equipment.
It is not an 'easy' job. You will need to prove that you are helping the child to make progress.
When I work a 9 hour day, I do not stop, not even for a cuppa! If I'm lucky, I'll get 10 minutes in my own head in those 9 hours.
Your expenses will be 30-50% of the money you make so you will need to factor that in.
You may get lonely working alone (I don't!)

This is a completely random thought, but it popped into my head so might as well ask. How do you go to the toilet during the working day as a childminder?? Obviously with my baby I just take her with me but I'm assuming childminders don't do this! 🤔