Done with childminding (but no idea what to do next!)

[lechatnoir]

Lockdown has made me realise i don't want to restart my childminding business and need to find another job/career.
I've loved having my house back (no toys or baby paraphernalia, no car seats, calm and peace) plus my own children have grown up with childminding and also had enough plus now they are all at secondary school I could go out and get a job without having to worry about childcare. Trouble is I have literally no idea what to do next -I've done this for 10 years and before that worked in the city (no chance I'm going back to that!). Anyone else done/in need of a career change and tips for finding work from scratch would be appreciated. Appreciate this isn't the time to start dreaming of big career moves but I can use this time to plan and research if nothing else.

Skills from childminding could easily be transferred to working in a school?

I don't have any up to date office skills and experience so i would need to retrain. If I wanted to change career I would probably go back to childminding part time and then try to volunteer or train a day or so a week in the field I wanted to get a job in.

I have been applying for carers job but all the reviews I am reading on line about working in the care sector is putting me off. Can't believe so many carers are treated so appallingly.

Do you have a degree? When I had my OFSTED inspection in February this year my inspector suggested that I look into social work when I decide I don't want to childminder any more!
Apparently there is a year long fast track scheme for social work if you have a degree.
I think lots of childminders feel the same as you, I am loving not having the mindees here and not missing them at all!!

Funnily enough I have been looking at social work and seen the fast track programmes. One is just for mental health social work so not for me and unfortunately the next 14 month fast track course isn't until 2022 but there is a 2 year paid option starting next July which I'm considering and trying to work out finance/logistics. Unfortunately whilst I do fulfil the basic entry criteria (2:1 degree) I fear they are looking for people more dynamic and/or experienced than I am and it's a very small intake each year so highly unlikely to get in

I was a childminder for 25 years from 1991 to 2014. I completed my level 3 Childcare and Early Years Education NVQ during that time so went to work in day nurseries after closing my childminding business. I didn't enjoy it at all as I felt the children were not treated properly. I decided to train as an SEN Teaching Assistant, and got a job in a lovely school. However contracts were not renewed due to government cuts and getting new positions was difficult. So I decided on a complete change and started working as a Support Worker supporting Adults with Learning Disabilities in Supported Living. And I love it! 🙂. Yes it's minimum wage and I decided to work only 30 hours per week but I find it really fulfilling. I work for a great company which provides loads of support and training.

@Bluebellbike I'd absolutely love to be a family support worker (and have been offered work experience via the children's centre who I know quite well) but just couldn't afford to give up childminding for minimum wage . I think this would be my ideal role - SW without the training, workload, stress and culpability but with that of course comes shitty pay.

@lechatnoir, I suppose I am fortunate in that my children are grown up and have both left home since I gave up childminding. So only me and the cat here now. I'm a widow aged 60 with very low living costs, no mortgage.
Otherwise I could not manage on minimum wage. As I also do some sleep shifts I get extra pay for those on top of my basic pay.

I'm wondering this. I've said for a while that this is my last intake so I'm winding down the business from 2022 when I'll have been doing it for 12 years.

It's just deciding what I want to do next!

I feel exactly the same... I've been unhappy with childminding for a while but felt unable to step back. I feel like CV has given me the perfect opportunity to call or a day, but I really don't know where to go from here. I don't think it's the best time to be looking at a career change when so many jobs are on the line. Also slightly complicated as I work alongside another Childminder who is less keen to stop. We were due to lose 4 ask l children in September and being unable to recruit new children in the meantime means we won't make enough money for both of us when we do get back.