Is it worth it?

[snufflepuff]

I'm currently in extended maternity leave. I wanted to childmind just before and after school from September when my son starts school, but he didn't get offered his school place until recently (originally offered a place elsewhere) and it seems everyone arranged their childcare when they got their school placement offers back in April, so nobody wants me!

I've just been asked to care for a 12 month old one afternoon a week. I'm not sure what to do...I'd like to do it and could do with the work but to be able to do it I need to renew my first aid, insurance, buy a double buggy etc. For the sake of 6hrs work per week it would take months to just cover my expenses! Any advice welcome!

[charlottenash]

2 perspectives. This 12 month old could extend they hours slowly, which would be good for you to get back in the swing of things. However your right, if your going to mind ey children, you might as well save the space for someone who needs more hours etc.

[snufflepuff]

Thanks....I didn't really want to mind ey anymore to be honest but I thought for a small contract i wouldn't mind and its better than nothing. I don't imagine this one would lead to more hours to be honest

[shortstuff]

the outlays you would need to make are not just short term fixes, the first aid lasts 3 years, the insurance a year and so on. As a cm you will surely get the need to use a double buggy again at some point. Also there is a good light weight one on kiddicare for just £38 so doesnt have to cost a fortune either.

You can build on the 6 hours too you dont have to limit yourself to just that

[snufflepuff]

Very true Gail. It's just frustrating until you start making a profit I suppose, I remember it well from when I first started out!

[maisiemog]

And apparently you shouldn't ever have a gap in your insurance as long as you remain registered. Apparently Ofsted don't like it.


I'd say go for it and get advertising. I'm going school children only from sept and apart from one mindee changing from an EY to a schoolie all my business has come in the last three weeks!!! And all through word of mouth at that as our local FIS still haven't updated my details with my new mobile number and I gave it to them in April!!

[snufflepuff]

Oh really? I didn't know that. Never mind, too late now- I paid for a years insurance in march 2012 and only needed it for two months, I wasn't going to pay for another year this march when I didn't expect to need it until sept, if at all!

[smurfette]

I took on a schoolie in sept and two a couple of weeks after that .. In the first case granny wasn't available any more (saw
Why after a while!) and in the second mums hours changed so she suddenly needed care ., sometimes
People are just plain disorganised too so don't give up hope of filling those spaces!

[snufflepuff]

Thank you, hope you're right. Just a couple of schoolies would be perfect :-)

[KatieFS]

Go for ey, eBay for bits will be cheaper. Bd agree with previous comments, last year I had 2 schoolies contracts signed in holidays.

[The Juggler]

take it on but say min. charge of £20 /day maybe?