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Original poster

Childminding..good/bad job

12 replies

Slink · 09/08/2004 19:03

I am desperate to go back to work and wonder if this is the path for me. I have been home for two years, have a dd 3?????????

OP posts:

Twiglett · 09/08/2004 19:08

message withdrawn

mummysurfer · 09/08/2004 19:12

i'm with twiglett
depends where you live too, as money varies enormously...i could only charge £2 an hour!!!! have been registered for 4 years but the most i've done is 2 days a week.
i found it easier when looking after chldrn the same age as my 2. had a baby once when my youngest was 3 and found that very hard.

Original poster

Slink · 09/08/2004 19:16

Thank you and you did not ramble Twiglett.

I was a Social worker for 6 yrs gave that up to stay at home need something that allows me to work term time only teaching i am looking at but not much going

OP posts:

hana · 09/08/2004 19:29

Slink - I have just 'resigned' and sent my registration papers back to Ofsted. I did the course a few years ago after my school told me they weren't able to find a part-time position for me, and thought childminding would be a good route to go down, spend more time with dd, etc etc.
I never did look after any children - I have however looked after various children of friends (all favours returned of course!) and realised childminding wasn't going to be for me.
-didn't like being up early for someone else
-didn't like the mess other children made
-didn't like dealing with tantrums in a child other than mine
-didn't like not understanding them pre-speech

I've reread that and I sound AWFUL! I'm not that bad, I just like my time with dd to do what we want to do and when we want to do it. I did end up going back to work on a parttime basis, and that more than anything made up my mind to childmind. As I didn't look after any children, it actually cost me money (Ofsted fees, medical, insureance, firstaid kit.....)

I'm sure you'll get some good advice , pros and cons from some of the childminders here. good luck in your decision!

runragged · 09/08/2004 19:48

Hi Slink, What about teaching adult learning courses? I don't think you need the qualification for that but I'm not sure. I looked into it a few years ago as I was going to do the PGCE but then decided against it as I would have to teach children I quite fancied teaching numeracy to adults. However I did a complete about turn and am now training to be a driving instuctor! Although it is all year round work you shouldn't even think about taking less that 7 weeks off a year and you can reduce / change your hours in the holidays. It has been a bit of a slog though!

hercules · 09/08/2004 19:49

I considered childminding but decided against it. My own childminder was excellent and does it for the love of it. I knew that I would be doing it for convenience for me.
I didnt want to be tied down by other childrens routines and activities. I didnt know whether I would be good for any possible children tbh as I'd probably have got fed up with them and want to put them in front of tv all day!
I think you have got to be very organised, full of enthusiasm, patience, good ideas and energy.

MummyToSteven · 09/08/2004 19:57

slink - could you get agency work as a social worker that would fit in round school holidays - or would you have to commit to longer term placements?

tigerfairy · 09/08/2004 20:23

Have been a registered childminder for 3 years now. It is not for everyone as It is extremely hard work, the paperwork is a pain, it can be quite lonely at times and you never have a tidy house.

BUT

It can be good money depending on how many children you can care for/the number of hours you are willing to put in

You get to stay at home with your own children and can get to their school assemblies/ be there when they are sick without any worries etc

You can get plenty of training and support

And most importantly, it is extremely rewarding seeing the children you care for grow and develop. I love it!

KatieMac · 09/08/2004 21:17

I think it is a very rewarding and for me quite profitable job. But it is a job and it is hard work. My DH and I share one full time C/M position. We each work part time. Our DD is nearly 7 and we do have some behaviour problems (she is older and mine so I expect more from her)
But if you treat it as a proffesion and deal with the parents that way, it is easier
And I find other peoples children behave very well for me (but both DH & I are quite strict and don't expect any bad behaviour)
Good luck if you decide to do it. You can email me to chat if you want. But it isn't an 'easy' option

nutcracker · 09/08/2004 21:22

I was a childminder for about 18mths. TBH i didn't like it much at all, and i love kids.
I think it was that i didn't like being in charge of everything. I prefer to have someone to refer back to iykwim.

Galaxy · 09/08/2004 21:29

message withdrawn

nikkim · 12/08/2004 21:12

eek I am about to start childminding and am now scared.

I used to teach but don't want to spend my evenings marking and want to be home with dd as long as possible.

I will only do it three days a week tops nd already work with pre school children two afternoons but I do hate getting up in the morning!
Oh well

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