If you were me, would you be a CM or a nanny with own child?

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I have various relevant qualifications and a background in working with children.

My own son has just started school and I was thinking of registering as a childminder, just to do one or two days per week. I already work three days in another job. I wouldn't be doing it for the money, but because I enjoy working with children. I would anticipate maybe just caring for one baby or toddler. Space is not a problem, I have knowledge of the EYFS etc., but the work would need to fit in with my existing lifestyle so might suit clients who are mainly SAHM but who want a bit of time to themselves or to do freelance work from home.

On the other hand, it struck me that maybe being a nanny with my own child might be better all round in my circumstances? Any thoughts? Thanks.

There's no way I'd go through all of the Ofsted drama to work one or two days a week. Nooooooooooooo way.

Just have a look at www.childcare.co.uk and pick up a day or two from there as a nanny WAC or school hours or whatever.

As an NWOC myself I would say do that. Think of these benefits: paid holiday, paid sick leave, someone else organising your tax, while at work you and your child will probably be driving your bosses car, eating their food, using their heating etc My boss pays my entry if we visit the zoo etc and I just pay for my son, nanny bosses sometimes pay or split the cost of Ofsted rego/first aid cert/insurance. For just one child 2 days per week it cannot be worth the CM paperwork. On the other hand if you go down the cm route you are forming a little business that you can grow in the future if that is what you might like in years to come.

I also think it is not worth registering as a childminder for the sake of looking after one child for one or two days a week. You would be earning virtually nothing due to the costs of buying equipment and resources, etc. to meet all the Ofsted requirements and you would also have to put up with a lot of baby stuff and toys cluttering up your house. The nanny options sounds much better.