Thinking of becoming a childminder

[Teoroy]

Hiya,
I decided to become a SAHM and have been thinking of becoming a childminder. Anyone else been there and done that? Any advice would be highly appreciated!
Thank you!

Like any job it has it's highs and low's, my highs are
watching the children grow and develop earning more money than I could if I went out to work (this has taken a long time)
having more time with my own dd's than I otherwise would have
being my own boss
making memories they can cherish forever

downs....
paperwork!!!!!!!! (am currently spending my week off doing loads of it!)
my children playing up because they don't want to share me (this was mainly my eldest child as she was used to having me to herself until she was 6 then suddenly she had a baby sister and then I started childminding so it was a bit of a shock to her system)
very tricky to go to the doctors
not being paid on time
parents arriving when they like (late/ early without asking)

I think if you can afford not to work and the money is a nice extra and you can work part time, its a lovely job, personally I have to work ft (8.30 til 6 sometimes then going on courses) and at times like when I first started it has been hard especially when I couldn't fill spaces or didn't get paid on time

Thank you! Lovely to hear your opinion.
Can you ask to be prepaid?
Yes, I am thinking of not running it as a business so I am concidering part time. I was told that paperwork was a nightmare that's why many childminders are actually stopping work...