CM Club - Ay pregnant childminders or have been pregnant whilst minding?

[Jensmum]

I'm 9 weeks pregnant and wasn't going to tell mindees mum until after my 12 week scan but my dd slipped up the other day and told mindee (in front of her mum) to "be careful of baby in mummys tummy" so now she knows. I was worried about telling her as I thought she'd only be bothered about what was going to happen with her children but she's really pleased for me as she knows I've wanted another baby for years so thats all good.

I've decided that I will finish at the end of January and take at least 6 months off after the birth it's more likely to be a year.
When will be the best time to give her notice should I wait until the begining of January or let her know now?

Also if I do decide to take a year out do I need to resign my certificate and reapply or do I just keep the same cerificate?

you can keep our certificate and keep up your registration by paying the 11 fee each year. I would giver her notice a month before christmas because to be fair to her otherwise the 4 weeks notice would be straight after christmas (most people look to start work after christmas so spaces would have gone) If your insurance is with NCMA you can suspend it whilst on mat leave for up to a year.

Thanks,
Would I have to carry on paying national insurance when on mat leave?

Although you could formally give notice in line with your contract, I think you should actually talk informally long before than as to what would be happening (if you have a good relationship with the family).

I told parents at 12 weeks, it was difficult to conceal it any longer plus I wanted them to be first to know (aside close family) as it does affect them a lot.

I personally am not taking maternity leave. When the baby comes, I'm having two weeks off then getting straight back in it. I have two weeks pre-booked with parents as holiday (so half pay which is what I get for holiday) which is when we're expecting the baby (next week!) and if it's late, any extra time will be taken at unpaid. They've known since 12 weeks, I periodically remind them, plus have written a formal letter to them outlining my plans. I will still therefore pay NI, tax etc as I'm technically still earning, although I've got a maternity allowance form incase I need any unpaid time off.

My friend, who's due in 11 weeks, is having maternity leave. To get the maternity allowance, she had to have worked 26 weeks in the last year and a half, (she's only ever been self employed, I think any employment counts too) and has to have paid at least 13 NI contributions. She hadn't actually done that as she had an small earnings exemption certificate, so she asked for that to be revoked, and has paid the extra 2 weeks she needed plus a couple extra. Paying the extra £4.10 gets her over a hundred pounds a week

She told the parents very early (she showed at 7 weeks) but has only just decided what she's doing about maternity leave - she's having 6 months off. She's told them with a good 2 or 3 months notice still from when they'd need cover. However she's asked to keep the child on her books if the parent likes, which they've agreed, as it's holiday-only cover, it's only 4 weeks the parent has to find cover for.

She is keeping her certificate but letting ofsted know (esp. as numbers will change) and she's postponing her NCMA membership.

Thanks for all replies

I've been paying nat ins since august 05 so when I finish I will have paid 18 months so I think I'm covered with that.

I think I'll try and arrange some sort of time to chat in the next few weeks and let her know then when I'm finishing for mat leave.

my friends a c/m and due a baby in dec
she is giving up c/m altogether in dec b4 baby due but she has not told parents yet
she has been buzzing round asking if we have spaces so she can give the parents a list of c/m available but she said she will tell them end nov incase they all leave
i wouldnt i would let parents know you want a year off as soon as poss