What days do you work? is it to suit your familly circumstances or get more clients?

[Ripeberry]

Hi, just starting training (DHC) in June and i've been looking at the childminder info for my area.
Lots of people seem to be covering all bases, doing am/pm drop off and pick ups from school, term-time and holidays, some even do weekends!
What do you do? Did you start off offering everything? or did your clients dictate what they wanted from you?
I would only want to do term-time and pick-ups from school and not include Mondays, as around here, lots of people don't do Fridays.
Is this workable or a no-no?
Any pointers please?

Hi Ripeberry

It's entirely up to you, it's your business to run your way.

Two of my own DC's were only 3 and 5 when I started so opted to just work 2 days and not do school pick ups.

When I felt comfortable and got into the stride of it I upped it to 4 days. Eventually I went full time but found it too hard as I have 3 older DC's (6,8 and 11 at the time) as well, so went back to 3 days.

Luckily there is lots of work around here so I offer occasional and emergency childminding if I need the extra cash.

I'm back to working full time at the moment as parents are all needing extra sessions/days at the moment but that's my choice to offer or not offer extras above their contracted hours.

It's useful for me to not be completely full all the time so that I can pick and choose extra children depending on my financal needs.

I know of CM's who only do school pick ups or only work afternoons with pre schoolers and even one who only works in the holidays

I think your idea is very workable. The important thing is that it works for you and your family and not the other way round.

Good luck

My area also has alot of cm covering all bases, as a mother of a 3 year old i would like to limit myself to a couple of days at first but i dont think it will be an option for me