any childminders out there with some advice ?

[kelli22]

hi im 22 i have a 5 yr old daughter and am hoping to have another child some time nxt yr, however i would like to be able to stay at home with the children and think this is something i could do well, im currently working full time (almost 3mths so far)before that i was working part time. so any advice on what its actually like to be a childminder so i can really decide if its the best thing for me to do?
im already aware of the training etc and already im excited but on the other hand i have some concerns and would like to find out more form someone who knows what theyre talking about.

sry 4 the long post and thanks

Kelli - I'm a childminder and have been for 18 months (very short by some on Mumsnet)

What sort of things do you want to know....between all of us here you will get loads of advise.

Remember it's running a business you will be self employed and need to do you tax etc...

hi are you still around?

Yep - childminding was the best thing I (& DH) ever did - but it's not for everyone....what are you worried about?

hi, im also a childminder and chose to become one because id worked full time in a nursery and with other peoples children since i was 18 (im 26 now) I have a 4 year old who is at school and am ttc at the moment so wanted a job where i could be around for my ds and also earn money when my new baby arrives. I love childminding. Ive decided to keep the number of children i care for down to 2 under 5 adn then my son. This brings me in enough money to cover my share of bills and also means that i can have a baby and not have to get rid of any children. As a childminder you can have 6 kids but off this come your own so i can have 5 children no more than 3 under 5! As long as you are organised its a great job. Sorry if this is no help to you! any specific questions?

I on the other hand have 14 children on my books and offer a lot of p/t places and as I work with my dh often have 5 or 6 2's and under.

I control the business side of the business and dh plays with the children.

I'm a network childminder which means I get checked every 6/8 weeks rather than once a year. I also get lots of free training. I'm studing for my NVQ at the moment.

im not sure just wondering what your day is like i spose, im used to working the last time i didnt work i had PND and was 17 with no support or money or transport - i now have all this and feel more confident and mature even tho im only 22.
i just wonder if i would miss work...
if i knew more about day to day life of being a childminder i think i could decide if its really the best thing for me.
i am very creative and would love doing things with the children, im just unsure of not having someone to gossip with sometimes.......

i have lots of childminder friends and we meet up 3 morning a week at different houses with the kids so they get different toys and children to play with i also attend a readers group at library and a toy library and a toddler group so have lots of adult company! Generally i manage to do housework and things and shopping whilst working and being at home means im around for my son! By keeping my numbers low i can give the children more attention and still do my house wife duties!

i spend my life gossiping (often here)

Up at 7 ish
First child at 7.30
Various children arrive between now and 10 am(if they arrive before 8 they get B/F
8.30 off to school
9.20 home and a bit of telly?then they play
10.30 break then music or drawing or aided play
11.30 collect from nursery
12 lunch/collect from school
1/1.30 collect from nursery/quiet time/naps
Play unitl
3 Collect from school/children start to be collected
3.30 snack/homework
group play /trains/farm/jigsaws
5 dinner
6 everyone goes home

HOW do I fit it all in?

I don't get the housework done.....I'm lucky to get the b'f dishes done

also wondered if you have to have a lot of space as the house we rent is a new 2 bed affair so not great on space but i think i could cope with a baby (1 of my own i hope) and my 5 yr old and 2 toddlers.
what is the best age to care for?
obv i would go to maximum numbers in the holidays cuz we could use the garden (its looks like an adventure ground) and theres only 2 childminders in my area so i could get work i should think, have u eva had probs with that, i think my dp is more worried about that bit.
when ive gained exp i could look after more maybe.......

whats bf?

Breakfast=b/f...
I like under 2's cos at 3 they get subsidised nursery places but some of my friends like 3-5 yo's
Round here it's hard to get any holiday work so budget for less rather than more.

There is normally a quiet period when you start but when your rep gets arround you should get steady business

Remember you are only allowed 1 under 1 and your 5yo will be at school most of the day
Getting 2 toddlers and a baby out the house for a school pick up can be tricky

what would you suggest i start out with?
tho i need to be able to earn a fair income and in my area i can charge £3.50 max

whtas a fair income? I earl just shy of £200 a wwk and only have a 11mth old and a 2 yr old! i find this age great and easy to care for as they are still sleeping during day!

if you have a f/t ie 7.30 to 6 mon-fri then you are looking at about £180 a week
But you can't always get what you want...
Your house will be taken over with toys....
How do you fancy the 2 toddlers/baby/school run - that's often the decider.....

i currently earn £800 a mth and i would have to pay insurance? etc but i wouldnt have to pay fro petrol £160 a mth or dd's childcare £120 a mth so i guess £6-700 at least ...

remember all your expenses and tax & NI (you may not pay this)
I only get half what I earn after all the 'bits'

i thought i might be able to drop my dd at kids club at 830 that way i can park in the school right by the door and then it will cost me about£5 a wk or something and i dont have the get the kids out the car etc but i will still be able to pick her up but i could start out early to be sure to get there in time, theres a field nr the school so in summer i could take them there for abit on the way that way ive got them out the car and ready to walk a few yards to the school.....

i really have to go to bed now but would appriciate it if i could have a way of contacting you if you dont mind ?
if not i hope to catch up with you here again
thanks for your advice and support

your parents might not like you leaving the kids in the car.

And think of the afternoon journey in 3/4 inches of snow

I'm being a bit mean really but we have had to completely reschedule due to school runs and nos of children.

I arrive late to collect DD each Mon/Wed as I have to wait for another child to be collected - it causes no end of problems

and dont worry, the house already looks like toys r us tho i do manage to keep most of it in dd's bedroom and the garden. i thought about having some shelving under the stairs for games and activities if i do go ahead

You can CAT me if you want....(Contact Another Talker)

Good luck making the decision - I was only told the good stuff and worked out the other bits gradually

yeh i never thought of that about the car thing. i dont think it would be too difficlt getting them out the car just a few metres to the door

how do i cat?

Look at the top of your screen - click then follow instructions