Starting up as a childminder- advice.

[4mogirl]

Hello, I am starting up as a childminder and was looking for advice from other childminders/ parents who use a childminder.

Childminders:
What information do you wish the parents told you, or what rule/condition do you wish you had set before you started, that would have saved a lot of hassle later on?
What toys/ activities would you recommend/ not recommend getting before I start?
All being well I’ll be having children between 1 year and 4 years old.

Parents:

What do you look for in a childminder, what activities do you like them to do with your child?
Is there anything a childminder does that you don’t like?

Anyone else got any other advice that might help?

Thank you.

Always get paid in advance. I invoice my parents monthly and insist on payment on 1st of the month to cover that month. Any extra hours get added to next month's invoice.

Don't invoice parents for extras after you have spent out. It may cause resentment as parents will not be able to refuse once an event/trip has happened.

You will not need as many toys as you think you will need. In the summer months kids are just happy to be outside.

It is really important to have a good relationship with your parents. You don't need to be best friends but I find parents are less likely to mess you around if you get on well and everyone is open and honest with each other.