What's it like being a Childminder ??

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, I'm thinking about becoming a childminder. We are TTc a second baby at the moment and thought this would be a good way of staying home with the baby while earning money.
I love children and have spent 111 years working with young people with learning disabilities.
I just wondered what the pros and cons are of childminding? how much do you get paid etc.
I'm not sure wether childminding or students would be better.
I'd be really greatfull for any info.

Wow, you must be old! . Have a look at the previous thread.

Lol, how did I not notice that ??

Of corse I meant 11 years, although it sometimes feels like 111.

bump

Tiring

You have to be a diplomat, expert paper pusher and diagnostician

Wonderful, exciting and traumatising

& today was all of these

I love being a CM, have been one for 7 years and have never regretted it. It is very hard work though, with ofsted, paperwork, EYFS and tax returns to contend with.

With regards to money, it really depends on how many children you look after and how often etc.

The pros for me are, working with children, being at home for my own children, working for myself.

How old is your 1st child? Most CM's are registered for 3 under 5's, so that may limit your spaces if you have your own under 5's.

My daughter is 3 years and 8 months.
Would she still be counted, as she's at nursery 4 full days a week?

It might not be worth it if I can only have one.

Yes she will count

She will only not count when she starts reception full time

Thanks KatyMac, I can imagine.

Yes, so you would only be able to have 1 under 5, once baby number 2 arrives.

However you could have a couple of before / after schoolies.

Will you daughter start full time school Sept 2009?

That will be in a year from now then. It could take that long to become registered, I've heard.

I would go for it if I were you. It will take a while to get registered and get your business up and running. Sept 09 will be here before you know it!

Yes AbbaFan, she'll be 4.5 then.

I wouldn't mind doing sleep overs for them, and I'd take children with special needs, as we have a bungalow.

I've booked a place on a pre registration meeting. It's in January.
I could see myself really enjoying that.

Careful - do you mean you will be able to care for children with mobility problems as you are on one floor? Are your doorways and corridors wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs?

Being on one floor is unlikely to help a child with a learning difficuty

Yes, I think a small wheelchair would be fine. I'm used to caring for people who have very complex needs.
In my line of work, learning disability's often include physical disabilitys as well.

& AS A CHIDMINDER THEY OFTEN DON't (oops sorry)

Behaviour difficulties are far more common (ime)

Behaviour difficulties would be more of a challange.

That's a bit awkward.

How much do you charge for each child per hour ? do you give sibling discounts ?
and how much for an overnight stay?
We're in a quiet seaside county, not London where the prices are probubly higher.

I'm rural Norfolk

I charge between £3.50 & £4 (£3.50 for more than 6 hrs a day, £3.75 for less than 6 hrs a day & £4 for ad-hoc)

Don't do night

Oh & no sibling discount - siblings are more work, not less

That seems o.k.