Chidminding

[MrsPuddleduck]

I am thinking of becoming a childminder and would be grateful of any advice. I am under the impression that I can work from home, look after my own children and perhaps a few more and make a bit of money. Is this how it acutally is or do OFSTED etc take up all your time etc. I would be grateful to learn what it's really like before attending a meeting as I would rather get the whole picture rather than the local council's version of how it will be.

I think it can vary a bit to be honest. I seem to be really lucky. I'm just childminding whilst my children are young as a way to make a bit of money. On the whole it works perfectly. There is some paperwork, but if you keep on top of it, its ok. I only work 3 days a week, so never have to worry about tax etc as I don't earn enough!
I don't really go on courses as my children are too young and one of the reasons I'm a cm is that I don't want to leave them with anyone else.
I've had one ofsted inspection, apart from the initial, in 3 years and don't expect another for 2 years.
However some cm I talk to seem to be given a harder time.

Yes - you can work from home, you can have your own children and a few more, and you will make money so long as you have the work.

If you read some of the threads here, you will hear us whinge and moan about paperwork and Ofsted (not that I ever would of course ) - there is paperwork to do, but some of it is not compulsory (writing diaries for babies, for instance), some of it is but, once it is in place, it's there forever (like having a complaints book or written policies).

It's probably worth going to a "do I want to be a childminder" type meeting anyway. Do you actually know any minders local to you?

I'm with Jackmummy on this one. Some of the cm's on here seem to get a hard time with OFSTED, but my adviser is fine and my Early Years team at the council pretty much leave me alone too. Best thing to do is to go to a meeting and find out how it works in your area. You don't have to carry on with the course, if you feel its not for you then.