Thinking about childminding

[debbie]

Hiya everyone,

I'm new to this so please bear with me!!

I'm currently pregnant and due in May and have been thinking seriously about becoming a childminder. I've been to the pre-registration and had the Sure Start lady round and got all my forms etc for Ofsted which I intend to send back on 1st April when I've got everything sorted!

Obviously my main reason is to be able to stay at home with my baby and also make some money looking after other children. Does childminding make enough money once all the outgoings are taken out and what are the best bits and worse bits about childminding?

Also, I work 3 days but once I am on maternity leave and become registered can I take on a child for the 2 days I don't work without telling my present emplyer?

Sorry to go on but really excited about it all but need info!!

Many thanks
Debbie

[Pauline]

Hi Debbie

Don't apologise for "going on" it's the only way to get the info you need.

I don't see why you should have to tell your employer you are working the other two days - as far as I can see it's only the business of the tax man!!

As regards making money - yes if you do it right you can make a good living out of it, I have done for the last 20+ years! Beats going out to work anyday.

Good things and bad things? Wow what a question!

I'll start of with one of each:

Good - the fantastic feeling you get when you see one of your mindees graduating from Uni and they say a lot of it is down to you.

Bad - You never get away from work, it's always there - toys, equipment etc.

I'm sure others will be here with more

[carolesmadhouse]

Hi Debbie,
I agree with Pauline, your employer doesn't need to know. You will have to register as self employed for any childminding you do and will sort out your own tax for any self employed work you do, so it shouldn't affect your current employer.

Making money? once again I agree with Pauline, If you do it right you can make a good living. I child mind full time with my husband as my full time assistant and we make a decent living.

Good/ bad points

Bad first: paperwork, loads of it! and my biggest gripe, parents who think you're a glorified babysitter!!!aarghh

Good: not having to fight through rush hour traffic, lots of free exercise walking to school and back, you choose your own hours, you get to spend quality time with your own children and best of all the feeling you get when ex mindees run upto you in the school playground and give you a big hug! I could go on.......

As you can probably tell I really enjoy my job!
Xx

[angeldelight]

Hi Debbie

I agree with all what Pauline and Carolesmadhouse have said

There is lots of paper work even more than there ever was

There are the parents who pay late, arrive late yeah and think you are a babysitter

But if you make sure all your paperwork is in order from the word go and leave nothing out ie late payments , late arriving etc etc then everything should flow nice

Start the way you mean to go on and do not be a soft touch like I have been in the past it gets you no where - do all that and you will be ok

Above all its the nice parents that you remember the most the ones who really know you do a good job so it all makes it so worth while

Hope it all goes well for you

Angel xx

[debbie]

Many thanks for that info. I have spoken to some people and it hasn't worked for them and you get put off, but then I speak to others who love their job and I feel motivated again!! I suppose it's like any job really.

I've already done my policies (not even applied to Ofsted yet haha) and am starting my first aid on Saturday. Just wanted to get everything out of the way before my baby comes. Was a little gutted as the next ICP course started in April and would've been great but it finished a week after I'm due so couldn't risk that one!!

Have spoken to childminders in my area and they are having to turn parents away due to being full so hopefully wouldn't have any problem in filling my places which helps!!

Anyway thanks again and I'll keep in touch with my progress!!

[lisalou]

hi debbie

I am in the same situation as you. i also have baby due in may and i finish my icp next week and have the exam in april. I too have done all my polices and forms etc, but have not yet applied to ofsted. Altho there is no hurry as im not starting until jan wen my mat leave has finished.Let me know how its going.

lisa

[angeldelight]

Oh 2 babies due in May

When are you both due ?

Maybe we will have to start a new post " guess the date the baby's are going to be born "

Angel xx