Is the current economic climate affecting childminders?

[KatyMac]

For better or for worse?

Does it depend upon area?

I have less children than I have ever had.....even less tan my first year

So am I doing something wrong?
Or is it a result of the economic climate?

Any thoughts?

Thanks guys

I'm a parent who has lost my part time family friendly job due to the 'credit crunch' as it was in sales..therefore had to give my CM notice as another of her mindees parents have for same reason and she has now decided to pack up as has not got enough to tide her over Summer Holidays, lost business due to new After School/Breakfast Club (cheaper childcare)starting at school in September too, round here (Cheshire) seems its a combination of redundancies in the big sales/call centre type businesses which then impacts on CM's ...there was no way we could have carried on paying her whilst I jobhunted....

On the other hand, I am returning to work full time instead of part time as I planned. BUT - no before/after school vacancies with CMs in my area, so am going for school clubs.

I have found the economic climate has definatly affected my business. I can't compete with the primary schools before and after school clubs as they are cheaper than I am (and I'm not expensive at £2.85 per hour). One set of parents are being made redundant so will possibly be losing that child. Another set of parents can't afford to have any more children as they don't get any help with childcare costs- I lose that child in Jan. My third child is the last child in that family and will be leaving me to start school in Sept.

I have another child on a short term contract who will be leaving in Sept as well.
There are lots of CMs around me and calls for enquiries are very thin on the ground.

I am in Greater London, average £60 per day... very busy!

i had a mindee give notice yesterday, never mind the excellent care and attention i give, families are leaving to go to an after school club with an awful reputation b'cos its a few quid cheaper than me..i know money is tight for most, but surely your child is most important..this is the second thats done this mow(first wen to to diff place)

I am very worried bout it all

i'm a mum looking for childcare at the moment in london - of the 3 CMs i saw last week, 2 had vacancies b/c they had recently lost mindees b/c a parent had been made redundant. sad for all concerned...

My last 3 mindees (all under 5s), have all left due to financial reasons.
I charge £2.50 an hour, it is very worrying yes.

It is the unpredictabilness of it all