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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

Why do people become childminders?

71 replies

sheepgirl · 07/09/2007 19:41

I just wondered what motivation people have to becoming a CM. You can tell the ones who really love children and the ones who are in it for the money. But I always think working with children is really hard work so surely can not be a good enough incentive?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

princessmel · 07/09/2007 19:43

Because they want a job that enables them to stay at home with or without their children.
They may just be helping a friend but are doing it throught the right channels, i.e ofstead.
They love working/looking after kids.
Its a job that can fit around their family life.
They can work as little or as much as they like.
They are there own boss.

bonkerz · 07/09/2007 19:44

personnally i became a childminder because i had worked in nurseries since i qualified at 18 and my son was attending one nursery whilst i worked at another in our chain. I figured i could earn same if not more AND be around for DS by becoming a childminder. I dont know any childminder who does it for the money! Childminding is a hard, stressful job and you would only do it if you loved children and wanted the rewards it gave.

Shoshable · 07/09/2007 19:57

I first became a NNEB almost 30 years ago, and have worked in Schools, Hospital, nurseries aw well as being a childminder.

I chose to do childminding after seeing how children in Nurseries miss out on the 'home' feel from so young. I felt that I could offer as good and in some cases better care. I am also qualified as a Accredited childminder, which means that I 'teach' preschool from home and can claim the nursery grant from age 3 for parents.

being a childminder is a career choice for me, as much as anyone else chooses their career.

I love working for myself, being able to to the things I want with the children, not having to work within the confines of a nursery.

I love the freedom of being able to take the children on outings, and visits that I feel meets the National curriculum, which was very difficult to do in a nursery.

Yes it is very hard work working with children and the paperwork over the last few years has become ridiculas.

But I wouldn't change it for the world.

Shoshable · 07/09/2007 19:58

Please dont think I teach the children grammer like mine or spellllin'

I can do it proper like honest!

Katymac · 07/09/2007 20:26

"You can tell the ones who really love children and the ones who are in it for the money" - so which am I?

Original poster

sheepgirl · 07/09/2007 20:29

so what do you think when people say "I would prefer to much my child in a nursery as at least there are more people involved in your child's care and you know what is going on" I have heard this a lot recently after my first CM fell through.

OP posts:

Katymac · 07/09/2007 20:31

Is that to me?
I work in a group childminding situation where "there are more people involved in your child's care" so I can't really comment

Original poster

sheepgirl · 07/09/2007 20:33

eer don't know katymac since I have never met you...that is kind of a fundamental part of the process of sussing out a CM.

OP posts:

3andnomore · 07/09/2007 20:36

sheepgirl...I would think, with most cm's now, that it has become far more difficult to even become a cm, etc...it really is because they actually enjoy working and being with children and for whatever reason they prefer to work from home, i.e. most often this wold be family commitments...

however, I am sure there are those that well, for whatever reason chosen it, but well, possibly not with the right ideas....I went to see a cm, for my es at one time...and well, they were a bit like what could be described as, well, trailertrash...the house was not juist messy but very dirty, and it weas honestly to god, like a scene out of Harry enfields wayne and Waynetta scetches....I am not making this up...I think their hearts were in the right place, and I am sure they meant no harm...but, now I am not all that fussy about childcare, but, well...I would not have felt comfortable leaving my child there...don't get me wrong they had plenty of times...but it wasn't a really good childfriendly encironemtn, I mean, whielst I came around to look around, they actually had some kind of daytime TV on etc...so, I really don't think they did all that many activities...etc...ykwim...

I was actually a cm at one point, but I truely hated it....looking after my own Baby was one thing, but the Toddlers and preschoolers of others I found a real challenge...it just wasn't for me, and I gave up as soon as I realised that, because I felt it was unfair on all parties....

Katymac · 07/09/2007 20:37

I only asked because I'm not really either

I am a childminder because I wanted to be self employed - I am not a particularily good childcarer, & I certainly don't make a lot of money - however I really enjoyed setting up and running a childcare business (or possibly 'a business')

S88AHG · 07/09/2007 20:38

I became a childminder because I wanted to provide for others the sort of care I couldnt find for my own children. Which is relaxed and accomadating of peoples routines with rules and boundaries but no set routine each day where choices can be made according to the weather or children being cared for. It isnt for the money as its bloddy hard work doing 11 hours a day with no lunch break but its rewarding when a parent says she has comeon leaps and bounds since she has been with you, thats worth more than money to me. Hope this isnt too cheesy for anyone but thats my genuine reason, honest. I am not against nurseries or nannies or any other form of childcare in any way either x

3andnomore · 07/09/2007 20:43

you sound like the perfect cm s88

S88AHG · 07/09/2007 20:46

I wouldnt say perfect but I do feel valued by most of my parents so I guess I am doing something right!!!

3andnomore · 07/09/2007 20:50

I feel the way you described yourself there, is the way I feel the Nursery nurses are inclined in the Nursery my lil ones go too/went too...the pay is crap, but they are all really brill and so so lovely with the children, etc....of course no one is perfect...I mean, really no one is....but they are doing something really right, and by the sounds of it, so do you!

winestein · 07/09/2007 20:51

S88AHG - I would say you must be my childminder then except I know that some of her other parents take her for granted and don't value just how good she is, which is very sad.

Shoshable · 07/09/2007 20:53

I think as a childminder , yes you do work alone , so a parent hasn't got the 'safeguard' of more than one person caring for their child, but nowadays most CM's participate in a lot of the community things for children, play schemes, toddler groups and such, as well as allot being on networks and working along=side other Cm's, so that the feeling that CM's are not as monitored now, isn't really true.

A good childminder can be seen by how she relates to the children in her care while out and about.

Another way is by the references she has, again a good CM, often gets her mindees by word of mouth and recommendations by other parents.

All my children have coem to me that way, some recommended by parents that have moved away to another posting even.

winestein · 07/09/2007 21:00

I would recommmend my childminder to anyone (but I would mention the 50/50 food proviso so as not to get lynched; but put that in the context of my being a fussy bugger when it comes to that!)

My DS rushes out of the car, throws himself at his minder and gives her kisses and all manner of affection. I know it is because he receives the same, and that, imo, is the best care I could possibly leave my child in

Original poster

sheepgirl · 07/09/2007 21:05

The first CM i had lined up came by word of mouth and 5 mths down the track I find that she is taking children way over her OFSTED quota. Lovely lady who tried to pls everyone.

The name CM doesn't help as it literally means to mind a child. Doesn't conjure thoughts of a person who knows a development milestone from a lamp post.

OP posts:

Original poster

sheepgirl · 07/09/2007 21:06

ss8 - any vacancies and are you in north london?

OP posts:

Katymac · 07/09/2007 21:06

NCMA discussed renaming us as 'Professional Childcare Practitioner'

What else could you call us?

S88AHG · 07/09/2007 21:07

I think parents need to feel completely happy and at ease to leave children so that is what needs to be provided at the childcare setting, whatever that may be, it is also nice to see that children are happy to come to you.l You cant go into this business for the money you have to be able to like other peoples children which is hard sometimes as we all know but the rewards are great, and if you have them your own children can learn alot from having others around too.
winestein - if you think I am your cm dont read any threads where I am moaning about the mindees

S88AHG · 07/09/2007 21:07

Essex - sorry

lololola · 07/09/2007 21:11

hi sheepgirl, the answer to your question is you cant tell. im a c/m and i consider myself a very good one, but i wouldnt do it unless it was worth my while financially. good c/m in my area earn £ 200 a day, and are very happy about that, so in turn do a good job.

S88AHG · 07/09/2007 21:13

Where do you live lololola?

lololola · 07/09/2007 21:14

wimbledon area

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