Becoming a childminder ! Help

[emelsie]

Thinking of becoming a childminder, have been for a few years , obviously coronavirus has thrown a spanner in the works but I understand it could take a while to train and get an ofsted inspection anyway , so hoping by the time I was all set up that side of things would have improved at least.

As far as set up costs , I know there are course fees, first aid, DBS , ofsted and then some annual fees such as insurance, I have a nearly 2 year old so the house is pretty well child proofed already , I have a dedicated playroom area , a big kitchen diner and garden so lots of space , is there anything else house wise I would need to sort ?

I have 2 cats. 2 children (nearly 2 and nearly 12) and DH. He recently had and enhanced DBS for his work would he need another ?

Anything else you would highlight to consider ?
When I started researching a lot of what I found were negatives and people leaving childminding, this has put a bit of doubt in my head about starting now.

Thanks!

Hi, your husband would need another dbs check as living in a childminding home. You will need to have a medical report from your doctor. Annual fees are Ofsted, business insurance, additional home and car insurance, ICO. Ofsted have started the pre reg visits again.

I would say there is a lot of uncertainty in the sector at the moment, with loads of childminders leaving, coronavirus lockdown has killed off a lot of businesses, and may childminders can’t fill there spaces. Many were not eligible for any help from the government. I personally would think long and hard before you start training , are you employed at the moment? If future lockdowns should occur will you be financially stable as you will be ineligible for any help as you would not have had 3 years accounts. I am only continuing with childminding at the moment until I find a new job then I too will be leaving as I can’t put up with the uncertainty anymore. It is also a big change for your family having to put up with other peoples children in all day everyday. Mine own two grow up with it but. Now they are in years 9 and 6 hate me childminding they want to come in from school to a quite home not screaming , tantrum ing children so they hide away in there rooms and I never see them which is why I started childminding in the first place

@Apple40 thank you! Lots of information to think about , definitely a big outlay with costs , I am not employed currently , my DH earns a decent enough salary and with his career it would be hard for me to find any employment outside of the house without having our own childcare problems and I would likely earn less than childcare costs, I also have no work history ( had my eldest very young and have been a SAHM since then due to DH career taking priority).

While my youngest is still so small and eldest has just gone into high school I would probably only consider working part time and if I could make around £100 a week that would be great, just for extras and savings.

It's just weighing up the costs compare to the returns , I don't expect to earn great money but I also don't want to be out of pocket.

Thanks again! Also can I ask you what you are considering going into once you leave childcare?

I will move completely away from childcare, and go back into IT. I did retrain as a teaching assistant but with the way things currently are and the poor pay I am better off where I am as I earn more now than I would working in a school.

Are you in England? I'm Scotland and there is no training involved in becoming a childminder here. Well there wasn't when I registered first time about 8 years ago then again about 4 years ago. Cant really help if you are in England. J think its all pretty different there.

Good luck if you decide to go ahead. You have been given some good advice about costs etc. Local Authorities are often very helpful with guidance etc. I have been a childminder for 20 years and with the virus this is the first time I have ever not been able to fill my spaces, because so many people are working from home, or just keeping their children close. See if you can find out what the demand is like in your area (maybe from a local childminder network). If a regular income is not essential, then you may be in a good position to give it a try, as long as you have the money for the initial expenses.

Hi thanks all great advice . Will take it all on board and hopefully make a decision!