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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Childminder flat-no garden-problem?

16 replies

Amyc81 · 07/02/2014 20:34

Hi everyone, I have an 18month lo. She goes to a childminder everyday. I am a teacher and work full time. I'm desperate to give up work and be with my daughter but I need to keep working to pay the bills. I was thinking about becoming a childminder. The only thing is we live in a 2 bed flat and we don't have a garden. The flat is lovely and is in a nice building very close to Surbiton town centre. It's also very close to some really good schools. Can I get peoples opinions...if you were looking for a childminder for your child, would you be out off if they lived in a gardenless flat?

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StrawberryMojito · 07/02/2014 20:40

I'm no expert but when I was looking at childminders, all of them seemed to have a room dedicated to the children during the day ie living room but also ample space for napping children. Do you think you have this?

No garden wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker for me if you were committed to outdoor activities and had a park nearby but a childminder that did have a garden would have an advantage of you.

On a lighter note, a flat with no garden seems to work for granny Murray!

lilyaldrin · 07/02/2014 20:41

I used a CM who has a garden but didn't use it for childminding. Wasn't an issue for me really as DS only did mornings and they were out quite a lot.

Original poster

Amyc81 · 07/02/2014 20:51

Thank you for the messages!
Our living room is a decent size and I would have to take the children out to playgroups and the park etc I'm just worried about jacking in my safe and secure job (and fairly well paid) to go into childminding if potential parents out there are put off with the no garden issue. I could put some feelers out in the local area before I hand in my notice.

OP posts:

Original poster

Amyc81 · 07/02/2014 20:53

Oh and yes granny Murray seems to get away with no garden. We love granny Murray in our house!!! Legend.

OP posts:

HSMMaCM · 07/02/2014 20:59

Yes. Just get out and about to parks a lot. However ... You might make more money offering private tutoring.

Original poster

Amyc81 · 07/02/2014 21:11

You could be right there. I've heard you can pretty much charge what you like for tutoring!!

OP posts:

Goldmandra · 07/02/2014 22:12

I think you might find the fact that you're a teacher cancels out concerns about a garden.

glorious · 08/02/2014 11:23

Not a deal breaker for us, DD's childminder doesn't have one but they go out whatever the weather and we chose her for the way she interacts with the children and her interests (music for one which is important to us). As others have said, teaching is a plus, especially for the preschool and school age children.

Artandco · 08/02/2014 11:32

I think you could specialise and cater for older children more being a teacher. So mainly before and after school with emphasis on homework help etc. you could also take home schooled children who's parents work sometimes.

Just list all the outdoor places/ facilities you can use and people can choose. You could almost promote being an outdoor lifestyle childminder with say at Least half the in loal woods/ farms etc etc

juniper44 · 08/02/2014 21:59

I'm also looking into giving up teaching and becoming a childminder. Also, I live in Norbiton so it's like West Side story. Which side do you want to be?!

My concerns with being a childminder are that I'd have to buy a load of equipment and it might all go to waste. Some people have advised me to buy a people carrier- it seems like a big upfront cost!

Original poster

Amyc81 · 08/02/2014 22:26

How many children are u planning to look after? I don't think you need a lot of equipment. Toys and creative activities etc. My childminder takes the children to a playgroup every morning so in the afternoon they have a bit of down time like listening to music, reading books, colouring etc

OP posts:

Goldmandra · 08/02/2014 23:25

My concerns with being a childminder are that I'd have to buy a load of equipment and it might all go to waste. Some people have advised me to buy a people carrier- it seems like a big upfront cost!

In 13 years of childminding I have met one childminder who has a people carrier and she has a very large family herself. I really wouldn't bother unless you're going to be carting lots of after-school children around.

You just need the basics to keep children safe and comfortable, e.g. fire guard, travel cot, booster seat, toys and books covering the right age range. You can get lots of it from car boot sales, etc.

HSMMaCM · 08/02/2014 23:38

Start simple and only buy what you really need - as you would with your own children.

Artandco · 09/02/2014 09:21

If you have your own child I'm sure you already have the basics - some books/ craft/ toys etc. as others said dint but loads. Your first child could be weeks old or 8 years. Both needing very diff things

busyDays · 09/02/2014 18:18

I think a lot depends on your location. You say you are very close to the town centre so you may well get a lot of business even without a garden. Are you close to a train station? I live in a commuter town with a lot of flats close to the station. There have been many enquiries from young couples who live in the flats and don't drive. Some really struggle to find childcare and would probably jump at the chance on a childminder right on their doorstep. Most of us childminders seem to live in the bigger houses on the outskirts of town and there is definitely a shortage in the town centre.

dueanamechange · 11/02/2014 12:15

A friend of mine is a child minder, in a not particularly salubrious flat above a shop without a garden. She is absolutely amazing with kids and the parents of the children she minds recognise this.

Toy libraries are fantastic for rotating toys, or NCT and other table sales for cheap resources.

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