Anyone with large family, childminding,fostering or nanning?

[MUM2BLESS]

I have four kids and childminding seven. Yes, a large amount of kids

Childminding seemed the right thing to do so that I could work from home and be available for my family.

So how many kids are you caring for in total? Why did you choose to cm, foster or be a nanny?

i have a large family...i have 5 of my own and step children. We have anything up to 10 at a time! My DH and I run 2 companies together. We couldn't do normal jobs as no one else would get it! It's rather tricky to say the least! Especially today only 7 today but i have lost my rag as it is hard at times! Glutten for punishment ive agreed they can have friends over tomorrow. Im totally insane and now regretting it! Not sure id be as good as you and actually choose the cm.

Hi 5babyangels sorry for delay in getting back. Been a bit busy, plus my birthday yesterday.

Wow your busy. What are the ages of the kids? if I may ask. Mine 16 13 10 and 7 (yes every three years).

CM. 2,4, 2 X7, 8, 2 X 10.

Only cm one in the hols.

It gives me a lot of flexibility working from home. You have to try to balance things working from home.

mine 10,9,7,5,3,2
CM 6mo, 20 mo/ 18mo, 2.5 depending on the day.

Is there a limit on the number on children you can CM including your own?

I have 4DC 7, 6, 3 and almost 2, am looking for a parttime job I could do from home, I have loved being at home with my DC, love the rounds of toddlers/parks/activities and thought I could fit one or two more in.

How do you cope with the holidays?

Sorry for not checking this thread. Did not realise it was still going.

There is a limit to the amount you can cm. Ofsted will tell you. Depends on the age of your own.

I think It was 5 the last time I checked. This has changed as some of the children are now under 8.

Are yo interested in cm sweethitty?

We do go on hols to butlins etc. Looking for one suitable abroad this year. It helps that both of us are working.

Yes I am interested probably in a year when DS starts nursery, was talking to a CM today and she hates it and wants to get out so to speak. She said it would be hard with 4 DC.

Cm has its challenges. Its not just the amount of kids you have of your own but other things too.

I did not start cm until my youngest was in full time.

You have quite a bit of paper work to do. Its worth visiting the childminding section on mums net and looking at some of the talks going on.

I wanted to be at home for my family and bring in an income at the same time. Great flexibility with what I can do for my own family.

It might be an idea to visit this section and find out what cm think about childminding. You must have the amount of kids and time etc that is suitable for your own family.

I only have one child out of seven during the hols. I work Mon to Fri starting 07.30 to 18.00, hours vary in between with different children.

Let me know what your thoughts are on this. Thanks for your comments

Hi, I've (only) got 3 of my own but have am just starting to get registered to become a CM. My 3 are 4yrs and under so I'll start with 1 child when dc1 goes to school in September then gradually build up. The paperwork bothers me but I keep thinking about how weird it will be to just have my 'baby' at home with my older 2 at school/nursery.

i Naturababy how is the regisration going?take a look t the childcare session where you will be albe to get some useful advic.

Hi mum2bless, I'm signed up to do the registration course in September so should be ready to go in the new year. I'm still worried about how I'm going to fit everything in and manage my day but really looking forward to having my own income again!

Is the process expensive?

Choose your hours very carefully as its does make a difference to your family. Use to do 07.00 starts, hated it. Now I do 7.30 starts or just before this. Finish at 6.00 pm.

Also think about whether you will provide meals (inc in price) or ask parents to provide. I do both. My original parents provide the meals etc. My other parents pay a highe rate which include a snack. To be honest I prefer when the parents do it.

You can find yourself shoping and shoping. You also have to be thinking about what to provide.

It's not too expensive. I'm thinking about hours because I have to leave the house at 8am to do the school run so not really sure how to fit another child into our morning routine at the moment. Preparing meals is another big stress point for me because we eat quite late to fit DH in so we need to work on that. I might just use the school dinner menu - 3 week rolling rota!

You will find that your old routine will change quite a bit. Things will settle down shortly. With each child, your routine will change. It may be an idea to take on a child with hours which fit into the school run.

I have a ittle one who comes at 08.00 and I drop off to afternoon nursery (within my school run routine).

I do snacks for some of the kids and eat later with most of my own family.

I've got 6 children aged 25-5 yrs & I foster too usually 2 babies under 4 yrs

natural baby Food: cook enough family meal to give minded children hot meal at lunchtime, early sandwiches fruit and yog for tea time avoid cooking twice at all costs!!!!