cm's what changes have you made over the years, due to yr experiences?

[MUM2BLESS]

Been doing cm for 3 yrs now. Its a bit like parenting you learn as you go along, you learn fast.

Here are some changes I have made during this time:

Introduces more policies. (ie payment policy and children in other settings etc)

I have also introduced a late collection and late payment fee
Now ask for payment in advance for new parents
Dont do 07.00 starts any more
opened an account to prepare for the tax people
During hols only one child out of seven comes to me, need time for family and paper work

Also learnt Parental support is VITAL!!

What changes have you made? Would love to hear from you on this

All of these (except I never started at 7 & now I wish I didn't start at 7:30 & the account for tax as I never pay any & I'm busier in the holidays.....so only half really )

yep to all these

additionally I say no

I don't work Fridays, I did but it nearly killed me

I work mon tues wed thru half terms, to balance family needs

I did my level 3 Cache a few years ago and that was amazing at helping me to reflect/drive forward/assimilate new ideas and thinking ie Schemas

Interesting you are thinking about schemas. If I'd known about schemas sooner I'd have had a much easier time bringing up my twins! Have you seen this website?

www.earlyyearsplanning.co.uk
They've got all their toys arranged in different schemas with a bit of info as well - some really nice things!

that website is AMAZING, wow

thank you v much

Stopped working Fridays.
Started working a few overnights and weekends.
Daily rate instead of hourly.
Feel like I know what I'm doing.

Have payment up front, Keeping on studying, (now doing Foundation degree). Joined local childminding group & now have a fantastic range of support from childminders who i'm honoured to call friends, plus also have been active regionallyy & Nationally with the NCMA, although not so much now. Investing time & money into my business to keep it successful.

Thanks everyone.

I would like to have two days a week where after the school run and before pick up I have some time for me to do my paper work and things for myself. I work mon to fri from 07.30 to 18.00, Do most cm's work mon to fri or do you have a least one day off per week?

Busy comes in two ways, first busy and you get it cleared and then busy and it becomes a mountain.

You have to remain balance as you also have to remember your other half, the kids and not forgetting yOURSELF!

Does anyone get time for hobbies?

I sense this talk should get some comments

I also would prefer fo work 08.00 till 4 or 5pm.

these are just some off the things i have put into contracts and policies .

1. late payment policy and i now follow through with it
2. all payments into bank

3 close down week 52 and annual leave week 51 at xmas for family time. 4.no starts before 7am and no work after 6pm 5.admin fee off 20 pounds on signing of contracts with 2 sessions for settling in of 1.5 hrs each also parent pack which contains smaller version of policies and procedure,terms and conditions at a glance,permission slips and childs general needs form.(sick of time wasters and using my time and contract then not turning up. 6.when written notice is given it will be taken on the 1st monday also (already 1 week in advance)2 weeks money is to be given if not recieved notice will not commence until recieved (4 weeks notice period) last weeks money to be recieve by the last day of contract . 7.i bought pogo camera i couldnt do my job with out it makes doing profiles so easy

1. get your self out with other cm they r a life line

i hope these may help i have also try to fill my day spaces rather than after school and i dont do may before school kids now .i also put a placment charge after school as if you pick up at 3pm and the kids go at 4 pm you have lost 2 hrs money so i charge 12 pounds then 1.50 for meals /snacks so 13.50 after school

Hi missy...

I did not realise someone had made a further comment. Great to hear from you. You sound so organised. How long have you been cm? Have you had lots of bad experiences as you seen to have covered so much in your p & p.

I must say three years down the line and I am definately wiser!!!!!!!