Are you or would you use a childminder that only cares for ages 3yrs plus?

[Xroads]

I'm wondering about cutting the number of under 5's I have so that I only look after children who attend pre-school and upwards this is for a few reasons..........

My own children are both getting older now, my youngest will be 7 this year and my eldest is almost 13 so I'd like to aim my business at older children so I can rid the house of high chairs, cots, bouncy chairs and have more space etc

I want to be able to focus more on the older age group without worrying that it's suitable for the younger children.

I have a side line painting murals and canvas' art work and I'd like to spend more time when the children are at school doing this.

I want to cut down on my EYFS paperwork too, I know I would still have to do some but it would reduce alot if I had less children in the age bracket.

I'm thinking I can differ from kids clubs by offering:

hot dinners
being open until 6.30-7pm
having more activities aimed at older children like a trampoline, kinnect, wii
Doing more day trips in the holidays

What would you like offered as a parent?

If you're just limiting yourself to older ones then would it not make it a bit harder to find people? Most will sort theirs out when they go back after maternity and stick to it other than house moves etc, maybe if you were accredited so could offer the funding it would attract more customers?

I think if you're located near to some primary schools it could work well. I know a childminder who lives opposite two primary schools, she only picks up from one, but has about 6 children at a time all aged 8+ I would say. She doesn't have any younger ones. I don't know how much she charges/earns, but she seems to be very busy.

I'm in London and the demand for before/after school nannies is ridiculous because after school clubs finish at 5.30pm/6pm, I think what you're proposing would go down well here.

Yes I would. I think it is a great idea.

If I were a parent, with a child in daycare all day in a private home I would
want.
A calm, happy, upbeat atmosphere, with only 3 children or so, depending on the children.

A walk and outside play every day, health and weather permitting.
Healthy meals, and drinks.
Smoke free home, no violent programs on the tv, or violent video games.
Stories read to them, some kind of interesting activity like a craft or baking, or project. Going around like a family to library, park, even a small grocery shopping could be an outing if done as an outing. I used to take them to the store sometimes to buy the ingredients for our lunches, and they were my "helpers".

Being with a kind sensible carer, with a sense of humour, who didn't allow rough housing, talking back. Who by example taught the children fair play and patience and friendship.
Since you are an artist, that would be a plus for me, as I would like my children to take part in art projects and creativity.

One of the other childminders in my area just takes before/after school for health reasons and she seems to do ok! As a newly registered childminder I'd say I've had equal amounts of enquiries for after school as I have for care during the day.

I'd say it's definitely worth a try.

I would love this sort of childminder for my kids.

It's harder work to differentiate care for a variety of ages/needs. I think there is a lot to be gained from focusing on a smaller age range. Go for it.

Thanks everyone. I'll give it some thought

I use a CM who effectively does this, does take preschoolers, but not babies, doesn' t take EYFS funding.
DS has been going to her in the school hols since he was 4 (and at preschool) and now sometimes after school ( I work variable days and hours). Works just right for us, CM is able to stop in the park after school which her charges, at her house they play on the play station, watch CBBC, play football, make massive road layouts or lego creations, get muddy and not a baby in sight.

Perfect for us.

I think there'd be a huge market for wrap around school places, although not sure how many 3 yr olds you'd pick up ? Would that be OK... just out of school places ?
That said, when my dc were older and going to CM, they LOVED having the babies there to p;ay with and look after... better entertainment than a Wii

I don't think I can afford to do it yet, I need to wait a while, keep building up my painting business because it is very very new and I can't rely at all on any money from it.

I can't afford to drop my wages with the amount of out goings we have at the moment, so my plan is to work towards doing this eventually.

Hopefully the economy will recover at some point and I can make a business from my art.

Im a childminder and I have 4 after schoolers, this is through choice, and will not be taking on any more on in the foreseeable future. This is because in 2 or 3 years I will be leaving childminding.
My boys are 10 & 13, one of the reasons I started minding was because of their ages, being at home for them, and the fact I like working with children and at the time didnt have any formal childcare qualifications, so couldnt work in school etc something Ive always wanted to do.
I now have the best of both worlds I work in our local Pre School and childmind.