CM CLUB - Feeling down again, don't know what else to do.

[LoveMyGirls]

I've been trying everything I can to advertise so much so that other cm's are getting sick of me now. Seems like most of us have vacancies, there just doesn't seem to be enough children who need care in my area. I thought this time of year would be busy but i've not even had calls for older children either. just feeling down about it, we're absolutly broke, I'm working 10 hour days for under £3 an hour I don't want to give this up but how long can i carry this on for?

move here (Worcestershire) LMG - drastic shortage of CM's

Only just moved house, literally a month ago so theres no chance of that lol! Only moved down the road so its not that i'm new and struggling.

I'm in exactly the same boat. I'm now starting to look for a job. I really want to look after children so I can be with my son who has learning difficulties.

It's so hard isn't it? Everyday I wake up thinking will today be the day that it turns around and I can get rid of the bad feeling at the bottom of my stomach that means I won't get any family time at the weekends, I did it last year and it was so hard to do both but I refuse to give in and end my business, it's not failing it's just not doing as well as it could be and we've had quite a few big expenses now which mean I need to get our finaces back on track and I can only do that with more work coming my way. I'm lucky that I should make a bit extra in the summer holidays but if by the end of that i'm still in the same position i guess i'll have no choice but to work weekends as well.

Alas I can't help full your vacancies LoveMyGirls, though I know how you are feeling as I have a similar problem - it's now Summer and I'm not doing much work at all... so have vastly reduced income. No one seems to be inquiring about babysitting - it's just not the time of year. Have tried some local advertising and had zero interest.

Good luck with filling vacancies.

Thanks NN, hopefully it won't be long until something is sorted, i have a family who are interested but theyre not giving me anything solid and I can't live off promises promises that dont happen. You know how it is, theres nothing anyone can do, will just have to hope and pray!

I hate that i never seem to get the balance right either, some people expect you to phone them or they take their business elsewhere and others feel like you are bugging them and prefer to come to you in their own time, you can never judge it quite right, i end up feeling like i'm constantly getting it wrong. I've tried the not chasing them thing and i've lost 2 customers because i didn't call them enough.

Nanny Nick - Do you think I could try babysitting while other work is quiet? Can i put it through my childminding books? What are the legalities? Also how much could I earn per night? (I know you said it's quiet where you are but i'm willing to at least try)

Dp is trying to be supportive but we are sinking fast I don't want to take on a second job that will mess with my accounts books etc also commiting to spending every weekend working a 2nd job is not something I want, I just want to be able to pick up extra money when its quiet you know. I've only been childminding just over a year, I'm bound to have quiet times I know that it's a business all new business's struggle I do not want to quit I just want to be able to earn extra money on and off.

Do you think I could try babysitting while other work is quiet?

Yes, but the time of year isn't good. At least I'm not finding a lot of work at the moment, with families going on holiday.

Can i put it through my childminding books?
Yes you could do that.

What are the legalities?
Grey area according to accounts I speak with.

Also how much could I earn per night?
Depends on local rates... £20-£50 I would expect as a ball park figure.

Thanks for replying so quickly Nick I really appreciate your help. I don't want to be out babysitting everynight even a couple of nights here and there would help our situation, i live in an area where either mums don't need to work because of benefits or the other end of the scale where they don't need to work because their dh's earn alot of money, there's not much in between hence the reason i'm not getting much in the way of childminding i think. I also live near to a private nursery so if the people in the nicer area do work they send their children there from what i can gather.

LMG Have you tried taking some of your business cards to local hotels, thats what I do and I get loads of babysitting work throughout the year for families that are on holiday and have noone to look after the children so they can have a meal in peace, pays really well too!

Thanks thats a good idea. How much do you charge for that if you don't mind telling me?

I am in Norfolk and charge £10 hour which for round here is good money depending on where you are you could even charge upto £20. The kids are usually asleep and don't even know you are there as so tired from all their holiday activities!!
Where are you based?