Childminding Networks / Co-ops

[Izzy81]

Hi,

I'd really like some advice.

I'm interested in setting up a childminding co-operative that would allow childminders to work together to share the care of children. This would mean we could offer evening or weekend care and different childminders could take turns to provide it. This would reduce the burden on the childminder (they wouldn't have to work every evening) but help to provide an important service for parents who work shifts.

I'd love to hear from someone who has experience of doing this, or indeed anyone who has anything useful to add.

Thanks

I think this sounds like a great idea

The possible pitfalls are about standards of care/different ways of doing things the the advantages may out-weight them

Good luck

Oh dependant upon where you are there are organisations set up to help you set up a co-op

Thanks Katy. I'm in London - what organisations where you thinking of?

something like this?

I used a Norfolk based one here

Thanks Katy. Did you actually set a childminding co-op yourself?

No - I set up a childcare co-op that never opened

But it's all set & ready to go; all I need is a site