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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Nosey Question for Childminders

26 replies

seb1 · 26/06/2007 18:05

How long have you all been childminding? Thinking about becoming one but wondered how long you have all being doing this. And when you started it did you think you would last this long.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

OFSTEDoutstanding · 26/06/2007 18:08

Only been a cm since January but was a nanny for 14 years before that. Became one because I had ds and wanted to stay at home with him and not take him to other peoples houses to look after children. I can see myself doing this at least until he goes to school and hopefully longer.

KaySamuels · 26/06/2007 18:15

I've been minding 2yrs and 3months, some days I think I will cm forever, other days I think I will call it a day when ds is at school. I love childminding the kids and being my own boss - it's the paperwork and ofsted don't like! I think you have to be passionate about it to keep doing it tbh! Which I generally am honest!!

mogs0 · 26/06/2007 18:28

I've been minding for a year and a half and was a nanny for 8 years before that.

As long as the paperwork doesn't increase anymore then I'll carry on minding as it suits me perfectly!

S88AHG · 26/06/2007 18:28

I have been a CM for 2 and a half years and have just filled all my vacancies and I have been trying to, dont know if thats what you wanted to hear but I would suss out how many CM s are in your area first and what they charge etc so you have the full picture. Not trying to put you off just giving realistic view, if I could have at lleast 2 under 5 all the time would CM forever I reckon they are more fun than schoolies

jellyjelly · 26/06/2007 18:30

I was a childminder (worked for 18 months)until i became a single parent so had to give up but i would have carried on as it gave me the oportunity to stay with my son.

Now work in a school and love it. Am Happy with the choice i had to make but still miss ds sometimes and wish i could spend more time with him.

ThePrisoner · 26/06/2007 18:35

Have been childminding for nearly 14 years, and have been informed by all my minding parents that I will be expected to continue until all their children turn 16! I'm not sure whether I can still do this and claim my pension at the same time ...

mogs0 · 26/06/2007 18:35

jellybelly - I am a single parent too and cming is the financially the best job I could do at the mo because of all the dis-regards. If you want any more info you can email me if you like!

gooseegg · 26/06/2007 18:49

Almost four years for me and hopefully for a good few years yet.

The satisfaction of being self employed plus being valued by parents and children is enormous.

star1976 · 26/06/2007 19:00

I've been registered for 10 months and actively minding for 7 months.

At the moment I love it, and don't want to to stop when my DS starts school (not for over 3 years so not too worried at the moment). DP tells me that when DS does start school I have to get a 'proper job'!!!!

Still strugling financially at the moment to be honest, with two under 5 mindees (both 30 hours) and one schoolie just 2 nights a week. If I can fill the rest of my vacancies then I will be just fine!

And being at home with DS and being able to take and collect DD from school is great! Also think it is good that DD can invite friends round for dinner and stuff (they are mostly over 8 and I have the spaces anyway) which she could never do when I worked full time before DS came along.

Everyone is happier this way (except DP but he's hardly here when kids are)!

dmo · 26/06/2007 19:08

i've been a childminder for 5 yrs now before that i was a nursery nurse for 13yrs and i so perfer working for myself
i am on more money per week than my dh but i do work longer hours
could see myself doing this for a far few more yrs yet
my boys are 10 and 11 so might all change when eldest gets to high school

FeelingOld · 26/06/2007 20:54

I have been cminding for 3 years and I love my job (well most of the time anyway), I have a few friends who are childminders and we support each other which I think is really important.
I do intend to carry on as long as I enjoy doing the job so there is no telling how long that will be really.

tigersmum · 27/06/2007 08:38

I have been doing this for 11 years and most of the time is great but at the moment am having a bit of a wobble so not very happy with it. Too much pressure and not enough support.

saltire · 27/06/2007 09:02

I started c'minding when DS2 was about 8 months old. My original plan was to do it until he started school - well he's 7 1/2 now and I'm still doing it, although I've just moved and unable to get registered just now.
I didn't think it would last this long, but it's worked out ok, my DH is in the military, so it's handy when he's away as I'm not worrying about needing childcare myself. Also I can choose to work when I want - for example if I decided I only wanted to after school children, having my days to do something else then I can. I enjoyed it in Scotland, but i just feel it's getting too much work now, all these rules and regualations and paperwork.

moonstar04 · 27/06/2007 09:03

I love minding and have been doing it for just under one year now.

I will continue this for as long as I can although the future is worrying me.

My hubbie and I may be separating in the near future and the financial aspects really worry me.

mogs0 you say that as a single parent minding is viable because of the disregards. I think I will have to do some research so that I am fully prepared just in case scenario.

ayla99 · 27/06/2007 11:45

Over 6 years now, originally planned to be long-term & fully intend to continue. I love my job and can't see myself working for anyone else again.

BradfordMum · 27/06/2007 13:07

14 yrs in sept. I began as a friends nanny let her in the lurch - so I registered purely to look after her son. Word soon got round I I was inundated with requests. Never looked back!

Sally x

jellyjelly · 27/06/2007 20:43

Thanks mogs but i gave it up and i now have a job that is good. I done my sums and i couldnt have coped with it - i had to get a mortgage that is 18 times my salary so never could have managed.

blodwen · 27/06/2007 22:18

Almost 17 years for me... but only 3 weeks to go then stopping . It's been a lovely job for me.

alibubbles · 28/06/2007 09:41

21 years and still love it, especially when a new baby comes along. I have a new 6 month old just started and one mindie who is leaving this summer has a mum expecting a new baby, just right for September next year!

alibubbles · 28/06/2007 09:43

Childminding has paid my childrens' school fees for over 10 years. I work term time only. 8-4.30.

badgerhead · 28/06/2007 11:40

I have been minding for 12 years and still love it. It gives our family a good standard of living with the benefit of me being at home for my dd's, who seem to want me more the older they get lol!
I anticiapte carrying on for another 5 years at least.

fedupwithallthispaperwork · 28/06/2007 12:38

5 years at christmas. its my career, i love it and i get to be there for my kids before and after school. i also enjoy being in my own home. moneys good to.

MrsWeasley · 28/06/2007 12:49

I've been minding for 12 years this month! Time for a change now but it enabled me to stay at home with DC.

alibubbles · 28/06/2007 13:22

badgerhead, I agree, my DS and DD are 20 & 21, the last 5 years have been the most needy and the most expensive!

Shoshable · 28/06/2007 13:26

28 years now and wouldnt change it for anything, did stop for a couple of years to run a pub, but soon went back to it.

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