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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Should I return to childminding?

18 replies

wasachildminder · 03/12/2008 10:52

I was a childminder for a couple of years. I gave up in April due to health problems but am now fully recovered. I am considering starting up again next year but am not sure.

My DH does'nt want me to/my DD did'nt like me minding (especially school age) but I have said will only work a few days a week so I still have lots of time with her and my other DD's/I had some lovely parents and the children were great but I also had some horrors!!!!/I really miss minding but felt that some parents wer'nt very appreciative of how much we do for how little we are paid/ I felt like I worked really hard as most CM do - I know a few CM who do nothing with the children and are always busy but I am an all or nothing sort of person!!!

What do you think?

OP posts:

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ForeverOptimistic · 03/12/2008 10:59

Why don't you start with just one child and see how you get on? I agree that most people don't appreciate how much work is actually involved for such little financial reward.

JenniPenni · 03/12/2008 11:23

I agree - give it a go with a part-timer - see how you do - how it affects your homelife etc. and then decide from there more longterm.

Original poster

wasachildminder · 03/12/2008 11:38

Thanks ladies - will think it over!

OP posts:

PAPERFREEK · 03/12/2008 13:06

Don't do it. If your DH and DD didn't like you minding, there must be something else you could do to earn what you would being a part time childminder. Why doesn't your DH like you minding. Whether you work part or full time, with one or more children, you will still have toys and equipment lying around, parents arriving and kids either being good or playing up, and the paperwork that will take up some of your 'family time'. I know in life we should be able to make up our own minds about our careers etc. But like smoking, if it affects those around us we do have to take them into consideration.

Original poster

wasachildminder · 03/12/2008 14:01

Thanks PF. My Dh does'nt like me doing it because I get really stressed with the way some parents are! I take it to heart - am soft. He does'nt think it is worth the agro TBH. I on the other hand miss it and am not sure if there is anything else I could do as I have 3 children! Having said that I think we can get by without me working - not sure.

OP posts:

cmnorthtyne · 03/12/2008 14:13

If I could go back 3 yrs and knew then what I know know about being a cm I wouldn't have even considered it! The paperwork is horrendous - observations, assessments, individual learning plans, daily diaries - don't let anyone tell you it's not compulsory because you get marked down if you don't do it! I have very little 'me' time and when I do get some I always seem to spend it doing something related to my job. My porch has turned into a community centre - posters, parents info etc - and my house feels more like a playgroup than a home!!!

To get an insight into what life as a cm is like now, read some of the recent ofsted inspection reports on their website - it'll either persuade you to go for it or not to even consider it!!! You get very little pay for huge amounts of work and effort.....

PAPERFREEK · 03/12/2008 14:39

If you can get by without it, dont even consider going back. You have so little time before your kids are grown, my oldest is 17 now and if I could go back I would never have worked at all. We could have tightened our belts and most of the money over the years I have made has gone back into the setting. My kids have got a lot out of me being a childminder, but it has meant making sacrifices that I wish I had not had to make. I have tried going part time many a time, and have ended up working 5 full days a week. Not for the money, more because parents hours and days change and I ended up filling all my days. The time has gone so quickly and I cannot afford to retire now, I rely on the money. I could change professions but I like being at home.
I have to add though, on a personal note this is the job I was born to do, and had i not had children of my own or a husband, it would be a perfect job for me.

Original poster

wasachildminder · 03/12/2008 16:41

Thank you PF and cmnorthtyne - your comments have given me a lot to think about! I do think my own DC did miss out when i CM (but did lots of hours) and I do have to respect my DH's feelings - just makes me sad because I did enjoy it and missed it.

OP posts:

NumberFour · 03/12/2008 18:25

answer to OP: no

i have lost 3 kids in as many weeks and i am so down in the dumps about it.

off to get some wine. that, of course, always helps.

cmnorthtyne · 03/12/2008 20:01

Does anyone know any teetotal cm's in the aftermath of EYFS???

SammyK · 03/12/2008 20:02

WhileShosheWatchedHerFlocks · 03/12/2008 20:15

{whispers} me

cmnorthtyne · 03/12/2008 20:17

Just to give you another thought to consider - I've been told today I'm expected to do the same obs/ assessments/ learning and development files on my own child as on the mindees! Am going to get my other half to write a letter stating he wants him excluded from EYFS!! As far as I'm concerned, my DS gets his structured EYFS when he is at nursery, when he comes home that's what it is - his home!! Off now to risk assess my xmas tree............

LoveMyGirls · 03/12/2008 20:21

Cmnorthtyne, you are joking??!!!

cmnorthtyne · 03/12/2008 20:25

Nope! Have emailed Ofsted tonight for their response and will be ringing NCMA tomorrow for their thoughts - will keep you posted. Stacking shelves at Asda is looking good.......

LoveMyGirls · 03/12/2008 20:29

OP I wouldn't bother if i was you tbh I know this jobs has it's rewards but it has plenty of downsides that other jobs don't have.

Ripeberry · 03/12/2008 20:34

You gotta be kidding! Observations on our own children?!! Can't we just say they are not doing EYFS? At least my eldest wont have to do it as the school is doing it.
What about my youngest, she goes to pre-school. They do the EYFS observations.
This is such a huge social experinment. Welcome to the new Russian republic....the UK!

Original poster

wasachildminder · 03/12/2008 20:36

TBH - after reading the current CM thread on AIBU it is putting me off!Lots of posters seems to presume the worst of CM instead appreciating what we do (did). Thanks everyone!

OP posts:

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