CM CLUB - I feel like GIVING UP! Moan.

[LoveMyGirls]

I really do i have 1 ft mindee who may be leaving by december (ive had him for about 4 months) i havent had any phonecalls for after school care, any phonecalls i have had have been for part time or too many children.

I dont know what to do, unless i get some more children soon i just can't afford to run with this, im working weekends to make end meet (but they're not meeting, they're miles apart!)

I'm fed up. I can't go out to work in the daytime because my dd2 is only 1 and i can't afford childcare because we don't get working famillies tax anymore so between my 2 children i would be paying out more than i could earn as i'm not skilled in anything.

so i'm left with working eves n wkends (if i take up working eves again i won't see my dp ) why does life have to be so difficult sometimes.

when i started this i knew it would take a while to get going but i'm tired and fed up of not even being able to pay the bills never mind enjoy ourselves when we're both working so hard.

Please someone tell me this will get better and it's worth sticking it out. I need some motivational stories please........

sorry for moaning thanks for reading.

where abouts are you. you need to leaflet the school but get the head on your side aswell. let him know and the parents what you can offer after schoolers that the club cant. such as homely environment, continuaty of care including hols, help with homework. add some of the things you do with kids after school, cooking, craft etc etc. make the leaflet bold and include pics. see if you can get together with other minders and start a network for afterschool care. we have a leaflet at our school and the head has been great, very suportive. cat me if you want some ideas from it. good luck

where abouts are you. you need to leaflet the school but get the head on your side aswell. let him know and the parents what you can offer after schoolers that the club cant. such as homely environment, continuaty of care including hols, help with homework. add some of the things you do with kids after school, cooking, craft etc etc. make the leaflet bold and include pics. see if you can get together with other minders and start a network for afterschool care. we have a leaflet at our school and the head has been great, very suportive. cat me if you want some ideas from it. good luck

sorry, pressed to hard.

thanks frannyfroo, good ideas and i may look into it, if this one doesnt work out, if they do then ill be full so will relax (thats not the right word is it!!!!!) for a bit.

i'm 24 and i do feel like the school wouldn't take me seriously so unsure about starting a network as i've only been minding 5months but this is def something to aim for. thanks.

Oh bless, no problem mate, happy to help As you know I've got everything crossed for you so let me know how you get one!!

Well it has completely turned around for me now, i have a potential mindee's mum and dad coming to visit me at the weekend. i have rung ofsted and asked them for my new certificate (that allows me to have an under 1 as my dd2 is now 1) so please can you all cross your fingers and toes!!!!!!!!

fingers and toes crossed as requested!

me too!

how did it go?

i have no full timers at the mo but do have 17 part timers and earn more than dh

ok so OFSTED said yes..............but now i have to wait for the family to say yes!

LMGs Im glad to hear things are on the up as you know I started just after you but I only have part timers but Im full as I want to be. I also like having different children different days. Also parents may fit round you if they want you badly enough.

well i now have my 2nd mindee!!!!!!!!!!!

update - current mindee is staying til at least march, baby hasnt started yet but im negotiating contracts etc and start dates (so fingers crossed 4 start by end of mth) if not ive got another child who wants to start end dec/jan sothings are def better than they were and ofsted have been and i got GOOD.

most of you already know all this as ive posted it in dribs and drabs but just wanted to keep this thread for times when i feel like giving up so i can see it does get better and its worth it.

I am in the same position and am desperate for some mindees. Just started working weekends and my partner works awkward shifts mon to fri so we never see each other.
I have put leaflets/cards everywhere, am on childcarelink.gov.uk, and advertising on several other web sites, but having no luck at all.
Getting really desperate. But like 'LOVE MY GIRLS' really can't afford to work as can't afford the childcare, and would miss my 8 month old baby and 8 yr old girl terribly!

Hopefully thing will turna round for you star, its very hard especially when you are relying on it with a young baby yourself.

I hope so! With christmas coming too things are really desperate!
What do you do to make it turn around for you? Or is it just a matter of luck?

i kept bumping my childcare link thing and word of mouth, i think it is a mix of luck and effort and also how you present yourself to potiential clients. Also think about your selling points, things like promoting independence, arts and crafts etc what ever your strong points are?

Thanks for your advice!
I generally mention in adverts that I have a child friendly secure garden, family friendly pets, lots of books/toys/art&crafts supplies, and allow children to learn at their own pace with encouragement but no pressure, and believe that they do their best when allowed to express themselves in various ways.
Also provide homecooked nutritious meals.
Any other suggestions greatly appreciated!
Have leaflets ready to do a drop at local Tesco and Train Station!!!!

Thanks for your advice!
I generally mention in adverts that I have a child friendly secure garden, family friendly pets, lots of books/toys/art&crafts supplies, and allow children to learn at their own pace with encouragement but no pressure, and believe that they do their best when allowed to express themselves in various ways.
Also provide homecooked nutritious meals.
Any other suggestions greatly appreciated!
Have leaflets ready to do a drop at local Tesco and Train Station!!!!

Sorry, thought I needed to mention that all of the aforementioned 'selling points' are obviously true!

I feel like giving it all up this week. Its so hectic here, i am behind with all my paper work as by the time they all go, i sort my own family and clean the house its getting on for ten and i am only fit for my bed.

i am sick of feeling used by parents, I KNOW i am only an employee to them BUT surely i deserve some respect! one in particular who i cant go in to detail about coz she may twig, is just really taking the miky and she knows i am so soft i just go with her wishes.

dont feel any better, but needed a moan.

what time do they go? can you try and do some of the clearing away before they go?

we usually have tidy up time at 4.45 then they sit down for dinner at 5pm and i clear the rest up while they are all eating i wash the dinner things while they have pudding and i empty the dishwasher ready for their pudding things (it doesnt always work out like this but this is what i try to do) so by the time mindee is picked up at 6pm my house is almost back to how it was when we started the day ready for the next day as mindee starts at 8am i need my chill time in the evenings and my own kids go to bed at 7 and 7.30 so once they are in bed i try to chill out, must admit my accoubnts only get done every couple of mths but everything else gets filled in whilst the children are here or i'd never get any time with my dp and he would not be happy about that.

meant to say perhaps you need to be more asserive with parents, you are not their employee, you are self employed and can give them up if you want to. don't let them make you miserable in your job if it gets too bad start advertising that space, why should you put up with things you are unhappy with.

its fine trying to accomodate parents wishes but they do need to meet you half way sometimes, if the things you compromising on are too much sit down and try to work out a compromise.

assertive

I know how you all feel i was given notice an the friday before xmas from my full timer and have part-timers only and term time only so my monthly money has taken a serious nosedive would like to give up but as most of you guys say i couldn;t afford care for my own kids - also its so quiet i've had a few enquires but all seem to go to a really experienced cm who has loads of kids i know i sound bitter but you can,t help it when your really skint!!!!!!!!!!!!!