What to do after childminding

[changingmymind]

I have been a CM for 8 years now. It has been great and fitted in well with my own dc. However, now my own dc are getting older I am feeling a need to move away from childminding to do something else, not related to small children. I still do have to consider my own dc in this decision so ideally need something school hours. Does such a job exist? I could really do with some ideas.

It's tough to find something just during school hours that's not working with small children. You could try TA at a secondary school, dinner lady, mid day supervisor or maybe school office work. However I did find all these are pay barely NMW.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who immediately thought - Tidy up, have a cup of tea, watch TV!

Jinxxx that's what's I've been doing a lot of since finishing in July!

I've not seen anything I fancy doing yet!

I wonder this all the time. I just can't see myself still childminding in 10 years time. But I love working from home and being my own boss. I know that as my children get older it will annoy me having to have toys and children's stuff round the house. This doesn't phase me at all ATM as my children are still young enough, but once my littlest is at secondary school I wonder what else I could do. I have a level three childcare qual and no qualifications in anything else so am not very employable in other sectors.

wow, did a double take with this post, as I nearly wrote this a couple of weeks ago. I too have been CM 8 years and tinking of moving on. Its the relentless paperwork that gets to me, and the constant tidying - like groundhog day!

I have looked at preschool work but discounted it as low pay and still paperwork/small kids.

Have discovered that call centre jobs can be shorter hours and some retail - with our 24 hour society if you are prepared t work shifts you might be lucky.

Another alternative is if you are crafty, is to work self employed seling your work??

could you try doing some volunteering to give you a taste of different roles? Or think about retraining? But I 100% agree with taking advantage of the peace and cups of tea!

I retired from childminding in July after 16 years. I too felt I couldn't keep up with the paperwork.
The job that I had loved and had suited me for all those years while my 5 children grew up, had suddenly become so stressful as I tried to ensure that every child's every move was logged/charted/photographe

I was exhausted with 9 under 5's on my books, plus their paperwork. Madness

I left and started Escorting >

Not everyone's choice of career I know, but it suits me.

Thanks for the great replies. Good for you WorkingGirl! I have made my mind up to give notice to parents (dreading that). My heart isn't in this any more and I am feeling unhappy and stressed. The thought of giving up is scary but a relief.

That was the part that worried me giving notice, as there isn't anyone else that they could use. They were lovely though, in the end and I needn't have got myself in a state over it.

What did you say to them? Dreading it!

I was chatting to one of them and another Mum at school and discussing wanting to be a TA eventually. I kind of forgot the Mum of the mindees might not want to hear that, but just said I wasn't sure I could be a minder forever but would feel really awful if I let people down. She just said don't just keep doing for me, you've got to do what you want. Her lovely reaction is what made me decide that was that.

My other parent I gave a bit of forewarning, as I gave notice to a young child who had not settled. She asked why I didn't look after her anymore and I had to be honest and say I wasn't sure I wanted to continue. But at that stage I was considering TTO care. This was just before the spring bank holiday and I made my decision on the Sunday before everyone came back. And told them all them giving 6 weeks notice.

One was leaving anyway and another hardly used me anymore.

They were all great. Bar one who had already found someone else as she read something into a FB status about enjoying six weeks off with my kids (I was only looking after her older child for two short days and compared to 3 under 3 plus 5 to 6 after school -it was a holiday!) she left giving no notice or pay in lieu of notice.

The time leading up to the decision is the worst IME once you've done it you'll be so giddy that you'll not care anymore.

How about a school nurse assistant your childminding experience would be valued many of these roles are term time only n part time n many work 8.30-3.30 or very slight variations of that have a look on nhs jobs for more idea about the role n pay etc

Well I have just given notice to my parents today! I can confirm the anxiety leading up to it is FAR worse than once you have done it! Everyone was lovely and totally understood.

Money is going to be a bit tighter over Christmas, as I have to get used to paying my tax and N.I. monthly in a salary again, but I feel OK about making the decision to at least take a break. Demand for good childcare is very high here, so I could in theory return if I hate being employed again. Although I will buy a euromillions ticket so I can dream of being a lady of leisure!

Dolby what have you decided to do? Good luck in your new job

I am going to work as a call handler for a local company. Its a short walk to work and shifts, so this fits in well with my other interests - well hopefully! Not massively exciting but once I finish work I finish! Not clearing up or writing up observations etc :-)

I know that feeling I've been trying to get out for couple years but keep having to come back to it as it just fits with own children at the mo Very jealous.