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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

wondering about CMing......

12 replies

sittingherewondering · 01/02/2011 21:59

I have one DC aged 13months. I work part time but things are not going well & I think I am going to get to the stage where I want to reduce my hours further (poss even give up work), but if I do, I would need to earn some money somehow.

What would I need to do to register as a CM? I have worked as a night nanny, p.time nanny & babysitter for several years on an ad-hoc basis but never as my full time occupation and I am not Ofsted registered, I dont have an up to date first aid cert either. I do have 2 recent CRBs.

I would be interested in maybe trying to look after one or two children similar age to my DC, going rate round here is £3ph-£3.50ph. Realistically say if I had one mindee for 40hrs per week (as an e.g.), how much money could you expect to be left with after deductions??? Same for if I had 2 mindees?.........

I am not belittling CMing or CMers and dont want anyone to think I just want to dabble with it & not take it seriously, but at the moment am just pondering whether it would be something I could do.

House & garden are child friendly, no pets, DH is also CRBd as part of his job (although realise we may both need new CRB checks?).

Any thoughts or advice would be welcome.

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Original poster
sittingherewondering · 01/02/2011 22:02

p.s. when I say 'gie up work' I mean give up my current job. I am NOT implying that CMing is not working - far from it!

OP posts:
Original poster
sittingherewondering · 01/02/2011 22:02

*give

OP posts:
HSMM · 01/02/2011 22:06

At least 1/3 of my earnings goes in expenses and then I get my single person's tax free bit and pay tax on the rest. Also NI to pay.

If you are thinking about it, get started, because CRB checks seem to be taking up to 6 months at the moment.

Contact your Local Authority Early Years dept.

Original poster
sittingherewondering · 01/02/2011 22:11

do you do own tax return & work out NI yourself? is it quite straightforward to do?

also, if I commited to say only having max of 2 mindees do you think some parents would cconsider paying more than local 'going rate'?

what are likely start up costs? I am thinking:

First aid
CRB
registration fee??? (is there one?)
equipment, i.e. double buggy, extra car seat etc. what else to start with?....

sorry for all the questions....

OP posts:
KatyMac · 01/02/2011 22:17

But you would only be allowed 2 under 5 anyway; so there isn't much 'special' about only having 2 for parents to pay more for (iyswim)

I find accounts easy; but some people find them difficult (lots of threads this week)

Rudgey · 01/02/2011 22:18

Make sure it is a career you really want to get into. I was a nanny for 9 years and had a 7 year break. Now I have my own children, I have decided to get into childminding to earn some money. You will need to do a Intro to Home based childcare course which cost £75-150. A 12 hour first aid course £80. Ofsted will only accept the CRB checks that they carry out regardless of how many or when your last one was. You will also need to do a fair bit of research/work with the EYFS stuff. I knew before I started how much there is to do, but for me, I know it is definitely what I want to do. Do all your research beforehand to be sure it is what you want to do. It can take a long time to achieve and is not cheap.

Hassled · 01/02/2011 22:22

I was a CM a while back and I have to say I found it very very hard work - way harder than looking after your own (I have 4 DC, and was pretty cocky about it - I know what I'm doing, etc. It turned out I had no idea.). I know lots of CMs find it very rewarding and it is certainly family-friendly, but think long and hard before you go there. Spend some time wading through the threads on this topic to give you more of an idea.

Lola10 · 02/02/2011 11:00

I have just started the process, and I was told at the meeting that it may take up to a 1 year before I will be able to take care of any children.

I am in the same situation as you, cost of childcare and going to work doesn't calculate for me at all on top of runing like crazy monkey to CM - work , then from work -CM - shopping etc.

I live in Southwark in London and here everything for now is free of charge. Later you need to pay some fees, and something else, but only when Ofsted will register you.

Ripeberry · 02/02/2011 17:45

You also have to factor in your own child as some (not all) CM children feel left out and have to share mummy all of a sudden.
Your home would look like a nursery all the time, just make sure you can 'hide' it each evening or it will take over the house!

Original poster
sittingherewondering · 02/02/2011 22:28

Thanks for replies. I think maybe I would be better to try & find a nanny job where I could take my DC with me. Even if I dropped my nanny rates considerably I would probably still earn more than having one or 2 mindees as a CM (I think!)

OP posts:
Scarfmaker · 02/02/2011 22:56

Hi - I would say give it a go - I have 4 mindees over the week and am happy with what I'm earning. It all depends on your circumstances I suppose.

I have three children of my own, 18, 14 and 12 and believe me it doesn't really get any easier for them as it is quite an intrusion - but they know that it's my job and I have the weekends to chill out (sometimes) as we are trying to fit everything in.

As you have your own 13 mth old you would only be able to have two more under 5's anyway. Not that you would want any more than that as it's very hard work getting them out and about, nappy changing, lunch and dinner times, sleep times, paperwork etc. but if you're organised it is possible.

supersewer · 03/02/2011 21:20

You also need to commit to study for level 3 qualification

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