Childcare for older children

[mrme00]

Hello,
I am currently studying a degree in Early years and I manage a breakfast and afterschool club. I have recently been thinking a lot about the idea of starting up as a child minder focusing on the 8-13 ish age range and I was wondering whether there were other people doing the same thing and what parents thought about the idea.

I have worked in a lot of out of school clubs, and they are often quite childish and restrictive, I try as much as I can to give the children more control and independence, for example, the children get a say in everything from how budgets are spent to recruitment, the older ones independently do themselves snacks, they take a big part in paperwork such as risk assessments, and we do activities such as woodwork, although I know the school would really prefer me to keep them all quiet, make as little mess as possible, and just do homework, and even though I know they are one of the better ones, we do get in each others way, massively, hence why I want a change!

I guess, in my head, it would be aimed at 8-13's but I would happily take from 6ish onwards. There would be several rooms for the children to play/ relax in as well as outside space, so they would have lots of choice and independence. I like the idea of quite a few children (up to 16) with an assistant or 2, and there would be a big focus on the children's developing interests; with lots of music, sporty stuff, more challenging art and craft, e.g. woodwork etc. I also really want an excuse to get a pool table :)

It would have more of a youth club feel, and I would aim to offer before and after school and holiday care, with very flexible hours as well as help with babysitting. A big deal for me is supporting children through the transition of starting high school by letting them stay on until much later than in other settings.

Sorry if I have rambled, i'm a bit tired! Do you think there is a market for this kind of provision?

That's what I'm about to do as well mrme00 , I don't fancy the huge responsibility of looking after babies and toddlers, or all the paperwork involved in EYFS, so I am focussing solely on school age wraparound & holiday care. I have a pool table and am about to buy a trampoline so I'm hoping they will all spend a lot of time on those + crafts as you mentioned.

I think older children will welcome childcare aimed at them, rather than feeling like an add-on to a nursery. All the CMs I know have said there is huge demand for places and that they can't always fit in extra children due to having their hands full with little ones, so I'm optimistic that I will be busy.

I think this is a really good idea. Ds is in primary school and already at 9 years old, I've noticed that he seems to be getting quite big for what they do at the after school club already. It is fine for now and until he is 11ish but when he goes to secondary school in years 7-9, he will be too young to be home alone yet too old for a lot of after school care. I think a lot of people have this issue.

I think it is a great idea. My year 6 complains that her after school club is too babyish and is focused on the infant school age children and not the older juniors. The secondary school she will move to has an after school club

She would like:

• somewhere quiet with reference books so she can get her homework done and then be free to do what she wants when she gets home

• a baking area to make biscuits, cakes etc

• more intricate craft activities rather than just drawing or sticking. She would love woodwork!

• somewhere to play board games with a small group

• music room either to chill and listen to music or to play themselves. How cool would a band room be!

• outdoor area to play table tennis or netball/basketball

Thanks for the replies :) Sounds good DoingItForMyself , how far through the process are you? I agree, the EYFS is a pain, I like the idea that if I only have over 8's then I don't need to register with OFSTED, although I think that may put parents off a bit.

It's a great idea! School late club is always busy and lots of parents would prefer something low key and smaller groups.
Good luck!

Mrme00 I have just finished the introduction to CMing (CYPOP5) course online and about to register with OFSTED, as I will have a couple of 7 y/os to start with, so will have to be registered, just not on the EYFS register.

I think even with older ones, its a good idea to register for parents' peace of mind and also so that you can accept payments with childcare vouchers as that saves parents paying tax on that money, so can almost half the cost of their childcare.

I am a childminder with 'no children on roll',
The children I childmind are 7yrs to 9yrs old, we do all sorts of things after school, board games , sticking, cutting, colouring, baking, painting etc etc.
I actually prefer them to the 5 and unders..

Saying that I also work in Pre school 2-4 1/2 yr olds which is my ideal job.. and apart from the paperwork , I love it.

Sounds a great idea. Good luck

I'm getting all exited now, it was only an idea but I've spent the whole week planning everything out in my head, I may be getting a little carried away!

anewyear sounds fun, was minding only 7-9's the plan or is that just how things have turned out? If you don't mind me asking, how many children do you actually mind?

DoingItForMyself I think your right about registering, I have read the requirements of the childcare register and they are fair enough, I think it allows you to maintain a degree of professionalism too.

No not the plan to begin with.
I minded Los when I first started.
A few years ago I was doing a lot of ad hoc for our local pre school, when they had a little boy with down syndrome join them, they applied for funding for 1-1, and offered me the job
that led to me now working there 5 mornings a week..
anf awfull as it sounds I enjoy it more than Minding now

This is exactly what I need for the school holidays.

I would love something like this. I have a 10 yr old and 12 yr old. I am at FE college this year but next September should be at uni. I will need something like this as they have ziltch childcare at the high school.

oh, 4 at the mo, however only 1 is with me every evening the others are 'part time'..lol
sibling of that one joins me in January.
And have another sibling (11) of another mindee who is at secondary school, who joins me during some school holidays.

Would have been good for age 9-11 definitely - both my DCs grew fed up of after school club by Years5-6.

But I do wonder how many parents would pay for it from 11+. I guess it depends how long their working hours are - if you're back by 5 or so most days, I think a lot of parents would just let their kids let themselves in. My DS has been doing that since he was 11, and I now let the two of them (aged 13 and 10) be home alone most days. But if I wasn't back from work til 7 and they needed feeding, then I guess I might pay for childcare.

I think it is a great idea, but you would have to be prepared and able to do some homework / tutoring activities. It wouldn't need to be every day. But, maybe get in a english tutor on one day, maths on another day, and do sporty/crafty things on other days.

A home cooked meal would be nice.

I have a 10 and 8 year old. There ar days that they have prescripbed activities they/I would not give up. But, in principla, I think your business idea is a good one.