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...

Wouldn't a compromise be to reduce to 3 or 4 days a week? Presumably you'd still be earning 60-80% of your current salary or thereabouts, and then you have more,days to actually spend quality time with your child.

My friend did this and has never been happier actually. She does it four days a week and a bit of after school care, a few toddlers and the odd baby. It has let her be with her own kids but she loves kids.

She needed a seven seater car so that’s an expense to think about if you need it

She hated office work and has enjoyed her life since immensely!

Insane!!!

I did this OP, but I was miserable in my pre-baby job, and I wasn't being paid as well, AND I really am interested in education so I thought it would be a great fit for me.
On the plus side, yes, I got to spend every minute with my ds. But, if I was making a snack or something, and I heard a child trip and fall, I'd hope it was my ds and not one of the other children I was trusted to look after.
I spent so much money on resources, changing my house etc, and earned pittance as a childminder. The childcare system in the UK is broken - it's the biggest bill for parents, but childcare providers close all the time because they can't afford to keep going.
The paperwork is relentless. You have to keep all financial records, health and safety, you need a million policies, visitor records to your home, contracts, first aid events, safeguarding, allergy info and notices for all the food you prep. And then also the learning records of the children whose education you're responsible for and must be able to evidence for Ofsted. It is a lot for one person, who also has a baby. There is no break either, and it can be quite isolating. Yes there are baby groups etc but I was too busy with the children to chat to other childminders or anything like that.
And the parents can be nightmares. They'll send sick kids to your house KNOWING their child had d&v the night before and lie about it, making your own kids sick, and they will quibble over money/be late for pick up or drop off/etc

On the upside, I really loved the children I minded and I really loved seeing them progress and learn and overcome difficulties - but my child did suffer as he never got me to himself and really if I'm being honest, he was along for the ride, while the other kids had to have more attention as they were my "job". I didn't childmind for long. As soon as my little cohort went to school, I quit.

Career break or part time is your friend here. If you're going to retain in childcare and take a pay cut them this is a more sensible, short - medium term solution

Not all childminders are inspected by OFSTED

Isn't a childminder who's not ofsted registered a babysitter?

OP can you go part time in your job, it sounds like you'd be okay money wise to take a drop in pay? You'd then get quality time a few days a week with your little one. There's nothing wrong with being a childminder if it's genuinely what you want to do, but it's bloody hard work and there's a chance your DD will find it really hard 'sharing' you.

When my eldest was a baby I was also devastated at returning to work, would do anything to be with her. I’m a primary teacher and loved my job but would have given it all up for her, I was so miserable at work without her.
However, I’m so glad I didn’t! That gorgeous baby is now a gorgeous 7 year old! She wants after school clubs, new clothes, things for school etc and I want to make her happy (within reason) so working gives me the chance to make sure she can try things. The benefits of my job are great now, I’m so glad I stuck with it.

Problem with being a childminder is you’d be expected to go out to parks, libraries, soft play etc with other people’s children even if you want to be with yours. Your house is your work and your daughter will have to share you. What happens when she’s at school and you’re doing this day in day out?

I also vote for reducing your current hours at work or the option of taking a years unpaid sabbatical.

@Croissantly

Not all childminders are inspected by OFSTED

Isn't a childminder who's not ofsted registered a babysitter?

OP can you go part time in your job, it sounds like you'd be okay money wise to take a drop in pay? You'd then get quality time a few days a week with your little one. There's nothing wrong with being a childminder if it's genuinely what you want to do, but it's bloody hard work and there's a chance your DD will find it really hard 'sharing' you.

All childminders are Ofsted registered but there's an option to join an agency where you become part of a group. In that case the agency is ofsted checked rather than individual childminders. It can work well unless the childminder is better than the overall agency then they miss out on a higher grading.

Its not uncommon that when women are pregnant they want to train as a midwife, when they have babies they want to be a childminder, when they’re in school they want to be a teacher, etc.

You’re just loving being a parent and looking for ways to keep that focus.
If you hate you’re job then definitely look for something else. Presumably there’s lots you like about your current profession as you chose it initially, but if not so much, then go for a career change. But don’t make your child the focus of it because they’ll be onto another phase sooner than you’ll know x

I would also go part time, and maybe look at different options for childcare.

Can your partner help with childcare so you both drop down to 4 days per week? That way you both get an extra day with her, and only need childcare 3 days per week.

It’s insane. No one wants to leave their child to work.

1. None of us can guarantee our relationships will last and if you split up with her dad a child minders wage won’t go far. It’s a short fall from the penthouse to the pavement. Much shorter than people think.

2. Pension contributions.

3. She’s 9 months so she’s still cute. One day she’ll be two years old throwing tantrums like confetti and screaming like a banshee.

4. Most self employed people fail, if not in the first 5 years then within the 10, it’s incredibly hard having to generate your own clients etc then chasing for payment. I’m SE and getting out, I’m sick of chasing invoices, irregular income, no work-life balance, worrying I won’t get paid in time for the mortgage.

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

So I think you already know that it would be the wrong decision for you.

I'd go back for 6 months, and see how you really feel about work/life balance when you're actually doing it (and in comfortable circumstances, where you'll be able to afford the childcare of your choice). If it's not working out, then you can negotiate flexible working, or take a sabbatical or quit (with intention of rejoining workforce at some point, not necessarily immediately)

Don't just jump into a new and quite demanding job with significant regulation and start up requirements. Not now whilst your baby is so small anyway - much easier to go back to work you are familiar with in the first instance

Definitely a bad idea. Giving up your career (and pension) for a job that’s poorly paid and not easy would be a crazy move. Why not take a career break or go part time for a little while?

Well i wouldnt! I do sometimes think id love it but i couldnt be at the mercy of people paying me and i think youre a bit stuck in it....plus theyll be at achool bwfoew you know it. Can you go part time?

If childminding was a career you would have seriously considered pre children, then maybe. If it's only occurred to you because of your current circumstances then I'd say no. Child minding seems to be one of those things people think they can turn their hand to once they have kids. I think you have to have the right skills to begin with.

I don’t think people are saying it’s an awful job I think people are saying it can be a difficult and full on job and that it shouldn’t be rushed into just because someone wants to stay home with their own baby especially when leaving a well paid job. ( it’s double my salary so I see it is as well paid!)

Have you any childcare experience? I used to be a nursery nurse and it was hard work being in a small room with several children for 9 hour days and it was my chosen career so I knew what I wanted to do. Children can be a joy to be around I loved ( still love) working with children but don’t underestimate how hard it is day in day out.

What if your child is crying and another needs your attention at the same time?

Paperwork/OFSTED/inspections/procedures in place/ having your home as a work place. Does your LA/agency offer any training, guidance or support. I’m not sure but you mayneed first aid/food hygiene type certs too.

You’ll need a variety of toys/equipment. So your home may look different, not just your child’s toys. Would you partner accept this?

How would you take the children out? Lots of childminders go on trips out or walks out and about.

Are there childminders in your local area, is there a need for more? What are the fees they charge, how much would you be looking at when ‘full’ but bear in mind you may need to survive on less . Cost of living is risings quickly so will it be enough for your household? Advertising or word of mouth type posts on local groups etc.

Dealing with financial side, setting up payments, recording it all, chasing parents that don’t pay on time. Developing parent relationships isn’t always as easy as it should be.

There’s so much to consider. I wouldn’t say don’t do it but make sure that you are fully prepared to do it properly and fully informed before you take the plunge.

Honestly I think you should go back to work for 1 year and then reassess.
Best thing to do is go part time for the short term.
Being a childminder is hard work and underpaid. You have to really love kids (generally, not just your own), be interested in child development, and have boundless energy and enthusiasm.
Also remember that a 9 month old is relatively easy to look after (aside from lack of sleep). Imagine looking after 3 2 year olds as they're charging around a playgroup, stealing toys and pulling hair. No thanks.
I love my children but work is a break!

No don’t! A colleague of mine left her job (£45k) to set up a CM business and ended up losing money.
You’d have no pension, no sick pay, no paid holidays.
Maybe explore some flexibility in your current job and make the most of the time you do have with your daughter

I remember feeling like that when I went back to work. I ended up having another baby as well, so factor in that you will get more mat leave if you want another.
I ended up negotiating to reduce my hours when I returned, that made me feel much better. I went back to full time only recently (children at secondary school), now I’m climbing the career ladder again and I’m so glad I kept my career.

That colleague is now back doing a similar role in a different organisation

I nearly did this when DD was little! I was stressed and heartbroken going back to work. I just wanted to be with her and hold her. Also work were bugger all help and made crazy demands. Very glad I didn't now! As others have said take time off or maybe go part-time if you miss DD.

Have you considered that your DC might enjoy going to nursery and although you are struggling she might be having the time of her life? I very much doubt she is spending the day yearning for you if she is in a nurturing and supportive setting. What does your partner think about the massive drop in household income and the home becoming a structured workplace? I think you need to give your head a wobble and think about the short and long term impact on all of the family not just how you feel 2 weeks after returning from mat leave.

If you're going to lose money anyway, can you go part time in your current job? In no time at all your baby will be at school and you'll be stuck looking after other people's kids. My worst nightmare

Also by the time shes 2 or so you might find that nursery/pre school is exactly where she needs to be for her own development.

Please do not do this OP, it would make you very vulnerable. I know I sound like a cynical old woman but I have up my career after our second child and did something with less pay as I wanted more time with my kids and also my husband worked away all week and it was too stressful... Few years later we're divorced (turns out his trips away were more for shagging than work, but that's another story!) and financially I'm ruined. He got the family home as on my salary I can't get a mortgage for it. Me and the kids are moving out to a crappy house in a crappy area and I will be forever stressing about money. I did the right thing for my kids at the time but boy do I wish I had protected myself better for this scenario x