childminding

[jay4568]

I have been thinking about becoming a childminder for a few months now but although I am pretty sure I would love the job I would need to earn at least £6000 after expenses but before tax/NI as this is what I earn now for part time work.

I know it depends on a lot of things but can anyone give me a rough idea of how many mindees I would have take to achieve this figure?

What is the average Childminding rate in your area?

If you don't know

put your postcode here & look at your competition

Once you have a figure - I can work it out (ish) for you

Thanks Katymac.. they seem to vary between £3-£3.50. One charges £4 so I guess I'd start £3 being new to it all?

OK how many under 5's do you have?

All mine are at school now.. youngest is 6

Oooo lovely

Best case senario income

1 x under 1 40 hrs a week £120
2 x 1+ to under 5 40 hrs a week £240

How many out of school children would you like (you can have 3 5 to 8 year olds - but you must include your own)

You prob won't ever be that full btw ...but you can dream......well it depends on the other minders in your area

so that £360 times ??how many weeks each year will you worK??50/48/52 will you want paid hols or not

Assue 48 making over £17K unless you spend lkike me - you should make at least 6K after Tax & NI

But keep you books monthly as you go along and you will be fine (cos you will see shen you need to cut back on your spending - or live a little)

Realistically you will be bout 50-60% full and that will take a while

Thanks.. I have been lurking for a while and have seen the good advice you have given others. I would be able to take 2 5/8 yr olds but like you say realistically I'm unlikely to be full and would prefer younger ones. Hadn't even thought about holidays, would probably take 2 wks, but hadn't expected to be paid for them?

When you say you spend alot do you mean toys/outings etc?

Are there any websites out there to help set up as a childminder. I really am in the early stages of thinking about it and would love to read up on everything thats involved

I don't know of ny sites

If you CAT me you can ask away.....no sure of "good" advise just plenty of it

Thanks.. I'm sure I'll think of plenty

Ring up your local Childrens Information Service for information on locally-held information sessions, courses etc. There's nothing to stop you ringing a couple of local minders to pick their brains either, or the CIS might know of someone near you who you could ring (my CIS know me rather well so I get all sorts of odd phone calls!)

It can often take a while to become established, and most of us didn't manage to walk into full-time mindees and school runs. Would you be able to continue doing your part-time work around any childminding work as and when you get it?

you will be very lucky to get full time children if you do great but most c/m have part timers
i have 17 children on my books most are before and after school but i only have one child during the day while the others are at school and he is term time only
i made 18k this year and spent 10k on toys/outings etc so made 8k profit

There are some on-line support groups for childminders, who permit childminders-to-be to join.
They can be a great source of information regarding any aspect of childminding.

ukChildminders - nearly 500 members
ukRegisteredChildminders - nearly 200 members

There is also a good book for those starting up as a childminder, which is worth getting to help you through your first year.