Childminders

[Funhouse8]

Hi

I'm wondering if anyone could tell me the pros and cons to becoming a childminder? Is there anything you would say you specifically need within a home environment.

For background I'm currently a TA working term time I've done two years in EYFS a year I KS1 and now back to EYFS. As you can imagine term time isn't the greatest pay, so was considering going into child minding.

I've got a small ish house. But a huge back garden, with an out house that I could possibly convert into a summer/outside play space for the spring summer. But I'm worried space is a factor? Would I be mad to leave a secure job for this?

Hello 🙂

I've been childminding for 5 years now, and my husband has just left his job to come and join me.

Imo I do make a good income from it; I would say you would definitely earn more than being a TA. Have a look on childcare co.uk or Facebook selling sites to see if there is a demand in your area and how much local childminders charge.

I work fairly long hours by choice (6.30am-5pm) and I also do school runs to my local primary. But I do set my own hours and holidays, I can decide what we are doing from day to day, and which families I want to work with.

It did take over my house at first, but now I have a converted garage to use (was my husband's office) so it's made this better.

There is a £600 grant you can now claim if you register 🙂

Obviously no childcare worries or costs for yourself if you do decide to go for it!

I would say the main drawbacks are that it is hard to get out of work mode, some parents are quite hard to deal with and sometimes it gets a bit much for my own two children.

There is a good Facebook group you can join called something like 'Ofsted and agency pre registration support group'.

I wish you luck, I personally think it's a great job!