Talk to me about being a childminder

[insomnicat]

Been musing with this idea for a long time. It seems the only practical option if I decide to have another child and want to make some money from home.

I like kids, I am creative,organised and I can cook, I have a new house which is perfectly laid out for it. Garden isnt that big but it's flat and there is enough room for maybe one or two peices of outdoor equipment. There is a huge and lovely park, with a bike track, zip wire and the usual equipment 10 mins flat walk from here. Plus lots of places to get out in nature. The local school & preschool is 2 mins away.

Trouble is I do get a bit bored if I stay at home all day with my dd. I like to get out somewhere each day. I have looked after friends kids on and off and I have enjoyed it very much and I reckon I'm pretty good at it.

somebody else asked this recently, have a read

the most important thing to remember is that you limited to having 3 under 5's including your own, so if you have DC#2 you will not make much money as you will only be able to have one tinie which is where all the big money comes from

Earnings £5000 to £12000. Self employed therefore you will be working long hours (6am to 9pm) due to training extra cleaning and paperwork. Lone worker so it can be lonely even if you join a network. Need to qualify so there can be a 6 month wait to get started and then you must search out clients. House will look like a nursery with pictures and toys everywhere. Your carpets last barely a year. Gov funding for training is running out. EYFS (curriculum you have to follow from birth - 5years) means you need to be as knowledgeable as a year R teacher and more. Parents sometimes don't pay you. By 2015 you need level 3 qualification (equivalent to 2 A levels). No sick pay and if you charge for hols parents get narky. Some parents borderline neglectful others so protective they sue as soon as their child gets a graze.

There is so much more to being a childminder that it is not an easy option to fall back when you are bringing up your own children. it is not easy.

Oh but I love it soooo.... This has been the best years of my working life.