Should I child mind?

[ShiresCountryBumpkin]

I am currently on maternity leave with 11 week old DS and have been giving some serious thought to re-training to become a cm.

Am I mad? Lots of people have said that by the time I have got myself trained, insured, registered, got the house safe and stocked up with toys etc that I'll never actually make any money. I know there are many mums in the area looking for a cm so I dont think a lack of work would be an issue - but is it worth it?

My current job gives me a 50 hour week and pays well, but with no cm'ers in my area that would go largely to put DS into a local nursery at £50/day. I live in rural herefordshire and the average ft wage out here is £13,000 so if I change my job I couldn't afford the child care....aaahhh!

I'm sure many new mums agonize over the same sort of dilemma & would be grateful for any thoughts :o)

I am newly registered and loving it so far... however my situation is different from yours in that I have 2 school aged children and have been a SAHM for 7 years. I have all the toys and equipment for children up to age 7 already so haven't had any of that to buy and my start up costs have still been about £500. Most of this is made up of doing my CYPOP5 course online, my first aid course, insurance etc.

I also think you may want to spend time with your baby without having to deal with loads of others.... Could you afford to go part-time in your current job?

Hi,& thanks for your reply. I'm not thinking of starting this until baby is about a year old, when I would have to go back to work anyway so looking forward to time with baby till then :o) I'm trying to do all the initial research now, and possibly training too so that I'm nearly ready to go when the time comes.

The trouble with my current job is that my position isn't available pt but I could possibly step down a rung, however the hours are shifts that range from 5.30am to 9.30pm, no fixed hours, and we only get our rota for the following week on the Friday/Saturday of the week before............totally unworkable for organising child care!

I don't mind investing in my new career, there will be costs involved initially I realise, but just want to know that it's worth it!

I'm glad to hear you're loving it - can I ask you some other Q's?

What else do you need in the home apart from toys? I'm thinking of things needed for activity's (paint, paper, glitter & glue etc) and protective plastic perhaps for your floor, or has that gone by the by!

Have you got outside play stuff too?

Is there a ratio for number of children v size of home?

What is an average day like.....do you have to arrange back to back activities to keep them busy or is your day more relaxed with maybe one or two planned things and then see what happens...?

Many thanks

There's a fab site for asking questions www.childmindingforum.co.uk with resources too about ratios etc.

I would say only do it if you really love children and want to do it. The hassle, paperwork and expense mean that if you're doing it for convenience rather than for the joy of it you'll get quite frustrated, demotivated and resentful.

What experience of children do you have? As a childminder you would be caring for children of a variety of ages, having to care for multiple children at the same time. It's not always that easy, it can take a lot of practice.

When you were a teenager, did you do lots of babysitting - so know what it's like caring for older children?

Doing the training now sounds like a good plan, as it will be a requirement later on this year for the training to be completed prior to starting to provide care. Contact your local early years department at your local council to find out about childminder training courses. Doing the course may well help answer questions you have and prepare you for what is ahead.

Is there a ratio for number of children v size of home?
Yes.

? Children under two years: 3.5 m2 per child.
? Two year olds: 2.5 m2 per child.
? Children aged three to five years: 2.3 m2 per child.

See the Early Years Framework 2012 document, found here. Indoor space requirements is item 3.56 (on page 24... which is page 25 of the PDF according to my version of adobe reader).

In answer to your questions:

What else do you need in the home apart from toys? I'm thinking of things needed for activity's (paint, paper, glitter & glue etc) and protective plastic perhaps for your floor, or has that gone by the by! - yep loads of crafty type stuff, things for water and sand play, dried food like rice/pasta for making pictures/musical instruments etc, 2 highchairs, travel cot, stair gate, step for access to loo and basin, cups, plates, cutlery, double buggy, correct car seats/boosters etc (As I say, I had most of this already, just bought an extra highchair from Ikea and an extra toddler sized car seat from Asda.)

Have you got outside play stuff too? I have a swing, slide, sandpit, ride on toys, bat and ball type games, footballs etc - again haven't bought anything as my children had loads anyway.

Is there a ratio for number of children v size of home? I am registered for 4 under 8's plus my own 2 so max of 6 altogether in a average sized 3 bed semi with garden. If you live in a smaller house, or a flat, your numbers may be reduced.

What is an average day like.....do you have to arrange back to back activities to keep them busy or is your day more relaxed with maybe one or two planned things and then see what happens...? No - I know my little ones favourite activities so often use those with additional bits to keep it interesting. We go to toddler group one morning per week regularly but the other days i can choose to take them to the zoo, the park, the library etc or just stay home and play in the garden or inside depending on the weather. When i have 4 after school, including my 2, another 4 yr year old and a 2 year old they all entertain each other beautifully....so far.....

I personally would not cm with a very small child of my own. However some cms choose to do this, which is their personal choice.

Think about it seriously.

YOur own routine with your baby will change a lot. Having a baby thats so young must be your first priority.

If you choose to cm it might be better to look after older children who are independant in what they are able to do. Do not take on too much as you will regret it.

I have four of my own and cm seven, which at times can be very demanding. Also give thought to setting time aside for paper work, paper work.

Cm is a challenging and rewarding job.

All the best in your decision making. The cms on here are here to help if you need more advice.