Thinking of becoming a childminder UK Anyone with experience?

[Loz604]

Evening,
Lots of research and experience to gather so I find myself here to get some real experience rather than just what information I can get via council/ofsted/PACEY

Story goes.... I am a qualified teacher with EY specialism and have worked in a busy nursery for 8 years. I have just taken redundancy and go on maternity in a few months. I am considering that in a years time rather than hunt for a suitable job to fit around childcare and my sons school hours (he will be 4 by next september) I am considering childminding as a business for a few years at least.
My thoughts are that I'd rather take a pay cut but have no childcare fees- as in reality if I got a salary of say, 35k but then had 10k+ childcare fees.... I may as well work for myself in the hopes of earning, say 25k (numbers aren't exact but I hope you get my jist) and also it's something I can add to my CV.

We moved in to a new home last year ( close to school) and I think it's quite well set up for childcare, and over the next year with a newborn I'm pretty sure we'd have most things we would need. I'm used to working term time only, but feel this could be a negotiable on case by case. The basic math adds up, and I shall be getting finacial advice to further make my decision.

I'd love to hear from anyone with experience, any challenges, must do.......

Also I know there is high demand in our village

Sounds like a great plan, especially with your previous EYFS experience. I worked as a CM for a few years to work around my DCs and it worked great for a couple of years.

The only downsides for us were when my DCs fell out with the mindees at school and then had to have them in their home after school, but that was usually only a day or so until they made up. Something to consider if your DS’ friends need minding! It’s great being paid for them to have a play date with their friends but it can turn sour too, so make sure your own DCs have their own space and things that the other DCs can’t access.

Keeping a separate area for CMing and to have separate toys etc is helpful to stop jealousy if they want to play with your DCs’ toys.

You can write off a proportion of your profits for wear and tear on your house and furniture etc. which is handy. Apart from a little paint on a sofa, I didn’t have any noticeable wear and tear in several years, but was able to deduct (I think it was) 15% when doing my accounts.

You’ll need a big enough car to fit in car seats for as many as you have including your own, so that may be an additional cost to consider. Even if you walk to and from school, during school holidays you may want to go a bit further afield.

For me the paperwork was a big deal but you must be used to all that already, so won’t be an issue for you.

Thank you @SteveHarringtonsChestHair , that's a really good point about own space. I think I'd keep his bedroom off limits as all toys are in play room.

I've seen lots about things you can put through as expenses which is handy. I'm just a little nervous about book keeping for it all! Maybe there is support for that through subscription to PACEY or equivalent.

Definitely wouldn't get my chn and minder children all in the one car for a trip out. But we do have a few car seats for the smallies.

Thanks for you response, it's really useful.

Good luck, sounds like a good idea! So would you have your newborn, and then just take two children on during school hours? If your son is there too I believe you would only be able to take on one extra child, as ratio that includes babies is 1:3, unless this has changed recently? Or would you have an assistant and take more children?

I've been a cm for 7 years now. It has its ups and it's downs but being at home while.my children went through primary school had been a massive plus for me. I've always worked in childcare (lvl3 qualified) and didn't really see the point working for min wage in a job looking after other people's children whilst paying someone else to have mine... I was a nanny when they were babies and that worked well but once they went to school it was nice being able to do school runs and for them and be able to pop into sports days and things.
With one LO of your own you will.limit your income, however its definitely possible to.make a reasonable income, I regularly make more than the 25k you mentioned before expenses (after it's been around 18-20k the last few years).
You can take off some generous allowances like the 10% wear and tear, 33% of your energy bills, 10% of water and council tax (and 10% of your rent if u rent but we own and there's nothing for mortgage payments)
Some of these things you'd be paying even without doing this job!
One of the downsides is that (as I'm sure you already know) some children can be difficult and having poor behaviour in your home,around your baby, having damage done in your home can be really hard to deal with. Start as you mean to go om and have a very clear policy on what is and isn't acceptable and don't be scared to give notice

@Justjoinedforthis yes I'd have my almost 1 year old and try for 2 other small ones. I think I need ti see the no childcare fees as income 😁 I'd then pick up my boy and two others from school. These would probably be 4 but it seems they count as 4-8 yo if they are at school full time.
@MarchingOnTogether thanks for your insight. Help with the energy bill would be handy in the current economical climate 😆 I think I may have a few mum friends who are already taking me up if I decide to go ahead. Their children know me too, so could work well or could lead to difficult conversation 😄😄

My lb will have started school next september so he will be one of the 3 school pick ups. And then the newborn and hopefully 2 full timers. Not looking at assistant's at the moment but may be worth seeing if any local childminders want to work alongside me.... something to bare in mind I guess.
Thanks for all the shared experience xxx