Can I be a part time childminder?

[harverina]

Is it feasible I mean?

I have just gone back to work after being on maternity leave. I am working 3 days at the moment but I am contracted for 4 days.

We can't afford for me to work 3 days only because of Childcare costs. I thought I worked in a well paid job but clearly now when it comes to paying Childcare for 2 dc .

Anyway while I was off I started the process of registering to be a cm (in Scotland). I was dreading my return to work and felt that being a cm would be a good way for me to be at home and still earn money.

The problem I now have is that now that I am back at work I have realised how much I love it. I don't want to work full time because I want to be at home with my children for some of the week - I am torn!

Dh thinks it would be a good plan to work part time and be a cm part time. So, for example work 3 days and be a cm 2 days.

Do you think this is possible? Will I be taking on too much? Will I fill my places or is there more demand for full time places?

I feel that I am being pulled in every direction - money - children - career

It's very possible. Depends how much work there is in your area.

It's perfectly possible if there's demand for CM's in your area but it sounds very full on - can you not increase your current job to 4 days?

I'm a pt childminder and it works for me. I started full time then when younger ones moved on to school I had 2 days where I only had after school. I applied for a pt job to cover these as a temporary fix but have now kept it going for almost a year. I find it a good mix of working from home and then having some adult time.any new enquiries are told my availability and so far I'm still full

Do you have two children under 5? If so, you would only be able to childmind one child under 5, is it worth your while doing that? If you think it is, I'd think you would probably find someone to fill a space for a couple of days, although if your work days are set you might struggle more. If your existing job can be flexible it might be easier.

You'd be relying on people to just work those two days too and to con-incident with your holidays etc. Wanting to be home with your own children isn't a good enough reason to set up as a childminder.

Thanks.

I have 2 under 5 but my oldest dd is 5 in April. I have spoken with other cm's who have managed to get registration for 4 under 5 so long as they mind a sibling group. It's something I will ask about when I get allocated a worker from the inspectorate.

My reasons for wanting to be a childminder are not limited to wanting to be at home with my children, though that is a huge factor. I will be honest - it is not something that I would consider doing if I did not have children because I love my job. I am currently a social worker and have worked as a residential worker, so I feel I have lots of experience and skills that would be relevant. I think I would be good at it as I love children. But, yes, being able to spend my days with my own children is a huge plus.

I do worry that it may be too much - harder than working 5 days in one job iyswim?

I have been approaches by a couple of mums who are looking for 1 day for their 2 kids. I just wonder if long term I may struggle to fill the spaces.

You are only supposed to mind 4 under 5 for siblings if you were already daring for the first child when the second one was born and therefore provided care for the second child as continuity for the first.

One of the most popular childminders in my town only offers 2 or 3 days a week so yes, definitely possible depending on your market.

Most of the mums I know round here are part-time workers though, with quite flexible arrangements so can change their days to suit childcare. If you'd be working in an area where most people want full-time then you may find it trickier.

Ok thanks will speak to the inspectorate and see what they say. I can wait until dd1 is 5 and at school if it's not possible.

Glad to hear that it can work. Most mums I have spoken to are part time but then again that's because I won't get to meet the full time mums! I suppose only time will tell but it's good hearing positive stories.

It's difficult feeling so torn.

If you're going ahead with registration, you might want to get started, because it can be a long process.

I have done all my policies and sent them in with the application form - just done that gp checks and pvg.