childminding club- what the best and worst part of the job?

[Isyhan]

I thought I would ask this so that Im prepared for the best and the worst parts of the job once I finally get going.

The best part is being out in the sunshine with children that you enjoy, doing things that you enjoy and being paid to do this.

The worst part is when your income goes down because mindees leave etc nd when you hear that other minders are setting up in an area that is already saturated with minders. (happening here)

But it is a very rewarding job and I much prefer it to what I was doing before even if I'm earning alot less, also, my children have gained an awfull lot by having me around alot more.

Best parts

Being my own boss, and being able to decide if and when I want to work.
Achieving minor/major goals with children.
Being appreciated by parents.
Having cuddles from the little people.
Playing all day.
Earning money for all the above.

Worst parts

My inability to be assertive. Needed:

• when parents want leave sick children with you
• when they ring to say they're going to be very late picking up but "you're at home anyway, aren't you?"
• when they ask if it's OK not to pay on that particular day/week

Having the parents walk mud through your house (the children take their shoes off!)
Keeping accounts.
Doing paperwork (mostly for OFSTED).
Doing more paperwork (still for OFSTED).
And don't forget ... even more paperwork ...

(I'm sure I'll think of something else, but it's getting late ...)

Best Parts
As TP said plus toddler groups - I love them the kids get to play and interact and I get adult conversation and toast (the toast from toddler group is always so much nicer than what I make - maybe because someone else does it)

Worst Parts
10 minute journeys taking 3 times as long when it's raining
Dog muck the kids always seem to tread in it (one parent walked it into my house last week)

The good parts always outdo the bad though. It's such a good job I wish I would have started earlier!

Best parts

The fantastic kids I mind who love to sit on my knee and have a cuddle.
Seeing my mindees grow, not just physically, but in ability and in confidence.
They also make me laugh all of the time.
Being paid to do fun things all day.
Being my own boss.
Being around more for my kids.

Worst parts

Parents.
Paperwork (agree with the prisoner here), it's taking over my home!!
Courses at weekends (I enjoy the courses, but when you have worked all week you need your weekends for some time out).

I love my job

Best Bits:
being your own boss, planning how you spend each day and being able to change your plans as it suits you
lots of pay days. (ok thursday is only £12 but I don't have to wait a whole month between paydays)
the things kids say & do that make you laugh
making the kids laugh
when a child you haven't looked after for ages waves at you across the playground
seeing a teenager walking down the street & knowing you helped her learn to walk/read/write/count etc!
when the kids eat all their dinner & tell their mum how good it was
reading letters & questionnaires from parents that say how great you are
getting paid for playing monopoly, charades, origami, copying art attack etc
shopping for toys & games

Worst
mindies' last day
smelly nappies & full dustbins
cleaning up after mealtimes
no teabreaks and when you do go to the loo, world war 3 breaks out.
when mindies don't get on with your own kids.
parents who forget their chequebook every week.
parents who don't understand when you won't look after their sick child
parents who don't turn up til after their booked time has ended and don't bother to let you know that they knew they were going to be late
parents who carry on chatting while their child pulls wallpaper off wall/throws toys round room etc
income earned divided by the hours spent childminding/planning/cleaning/shopping/cooking/bookkeeping/administration/webmastering/replying to emails & visiting mumsnet = £is that all?
no staff room (unless you count the wc!)
tax returns

Best

Like others have said - playing with the kids, doing arts and crafts, making them laugh, soft play etc and being paid for it

Being around more for my own kids

No office politics!

Worst

I find the weight of the responsibility hard to bear at times
Parents

Best part;
Being my own boss.
Planning the days activities.
Knowing mindees are happy, having fun, really enjoy themselves and look forward to coming here.
Helping mindees reach their goals whatever that may be; seeing the smiles on their little faces when the goal is achieved.
Seeing mindees eat and enjoy their food.
When a mindee runs up to me and gives me a big hug or clambers over anything in their way just to sit next to me.
Making mindees laugh.
Being appreciated by parents.
Seeing parents really happy about a piece of art or craft that their child has produced here.
and I agree with 'no office politics' too.
Getting paid for doing a job I love!

Worst part;
Parents: Parents who do not pay on time.
Being late or early without letting me know.
Being expected to do overtime without being paid.
Forgetting their childs coat.
Buggies being wheeled into my hallway - after all, this can create health and safety issue
Paperwork.
When income goes down or I am not taking my daily quota of mindees.

I say all the above with a so if any of my parents are reading this, please do not be offended, after all, I am only human

I love not having "office politics" any more, but we still get "toddler group politics" ...

Agree with all you've said about worst and best, and try to avoid Toddler Group politics at all costs, (tho got last two mindees thru be recommended by mum's who met me there!)

Best is when
First time they don't cry at leaving mum,

rush in morning to tell you what they've been doing

accept some behaviour change youv'e been helping with (eg having hair brushed and styled, not 'showing off' when being picked up, learning to share)

Worst is when
they have been so used to having their own way
they can't accept any rules etc and getting them to participate drains all your energy and distracts from care of other mindees

you wake up feeling rotten but no outward symptoms, and one of the parents has the most important thing to do at work, or is dealing with family stuff and really needs support and you just have to get on with it til the last one goes and you can get on sofa with a blanket!! (not desperately ill obviously but needing lots TLC)