term time minding

[thebody]

hi all, have 3 littlies off to school in Sept and thinking ahead. I am getting fed up of working school hols and missing time with dd so wonder if there is a market out there for term time minding.

I have heard of lots of CMs that do term time only. I think you have to make sure you get to know the staff at your local schools, because it is normally teachers children.

Teachers do seem to have trouble getting term time only care, so if it is needed in your area, they would be happy to come to you, I'm sure.

About half my enquiries these days are term-time, and not just teachers.
The only thing you need to bear in mind for teachers is that it's very difficult/impossible for them to take time off during the term.
It would mean that you have to avoid taking your own holidays in term-time.
Also, my teachers are terrified of having to take time off for sick children - heads can be extremely unpleasant about it.

My former childminder did this, for the exact reason you are considering it. She then had quality time with her own DCs during the holidays.

Most of her parents were teachers/worked in schools but others like me were able to make alternative arrangements amongst friends/family. She didn't charge for holidays as she was not available for so many weeks.

She was so brilliant with my DS that it was worth the slight inconvenience of sorting the 6 weeks hols. She had a waiting list of 12-18 months!

brilliant thanks guys, will canvass local schools, yes wouldnt charge during hols but it would be worth it for me to have time with dd but still be earning something.

I changed from year round to term time only to spend more time on holiday with my own older children. There definitely is a market; the challenge is reaching it. Most of my parents are teachers, which brings an additional benefit in that they are more savvy customers, know all about EYFS, welfare requirements etc and often have (in my opinion) a clearer idea what they are looking for from their childcare.

My childminder does term time only. It started as she had 3 of her own. It works for many term time only working parents x

I mind a little girl term time only, and her mum is a teacher. It works for me as I get time with my daughter on her own, and will be what I am looking for when my daughter goes to school.

There's definitely a market for it - go for it!

I also have a day off mid week... I think it work well when you get a couple of part time term time only, and you get days off. We go swimming every week! x