Too many childminder out there?

[KateA]

Hi I was just wondering if its my local area - Sprowston or this there just to many childminders now to meet the demand? or is there just no demand anymore

I have been registered for nearly a year now and really struglying to find any work, I look on childcare.co.uk and people are looking for a few hours here and there nothing really to maintain a business. Someone even only wants an hour a week! Yet my local council are still training more and more childminders.

x

[Mouse]

It really does vary from area to area.

It's always very busy here and we could do with more childminders, even though there are already a lot of us. I had 3 phone calls last week from parents looking for childcare. I couldn't help as I have no spaces and didn't know of any childminders who did have vacancies. Even the nurseries are full. Parents are now having to look for childminders out of the area.

[moggy]

Depends on the area- enormous demand for before/after school here.

[Ripeberry]

Lots of parents are SAHP so they look after each other's kids in my area (out in the sticks).

[loocyloo]

Lots of parents are SAHP so they look after each other's kids in my area (out in the sticks).

same here, although I am 'full' its mainly for school hours only and a couple of schoolies.

[tulip0803]

It can also go waves - very busy to very quiet and back again. I have had more enquiries this year than I have had for a long time and all the minders are busy. We have encouraged someone in the next village to start the registration process.

I "got by" for nearly 5 years before it went busy this time. in 2002 I ended up getting a bar job until the work picked up again after notice was given by 2 families in the same month - took 6 months ( and one family coming back when mum got a new job).

Loads of bumps and prams and was approached by someone thinking of having a baby last week!

[Simona]

Just my thoughts on this ...it could also be that some parents are also using childcare that does not require registration?

We were aware of some of the changes coming but this recent Ofsted update shows they are far reaching

https://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/factsheet-childcare-registration-not-required

[watford wizz]

Perhaps you need to take some of the "just an hour" to build up your reputation. I did all sorts at the beginning till I built up trust and awareness in my area including the odd hours on ad hoc contracts some turned into more hours once parents carers trust grew and they saw the benefits of having another person who could care for the children. Do you have a specialism you could offer, second language, over night care?

[KateA]

hi, i am not prepared to offer only a hr week i see it as waste of space and my time for that day it was for 1-2pm . I think you are right more and more people are using friends / family or just cant afford to go back to work and pay childcare myself included. I have decided to give it until xmas then close up x



Perhaps you need to take some of the "just an hour" to build up your reputation. I did all sorts at the beginning till I built up trust and awareness in my area including the odd hours on ad hoc contracts some turned into more hours once parents carers trust grew and they saw the benefits of having another person who could care for the children. Do you have a specialism you could offer, second language, over night care?

[Simona]

Hi I was just wondering if its my local area - Sprowston or this there just to many childminders now to meet the demand? or is there just no demand anymore

I have been registered for nearly a year now and really struglying to find any work, I look on childcare.co.uk and people are looking for a few hours here and there nothing really to maintain a business. Someone even only wants an hour a week! Yet my local council are still training more and more childminders.

x

Have you contacted your LA to see if they need cms to place the 2 year olds? some are really struggling to fill the requirements for these kids

If you wish to care for them and the funding is good ...that could be a way of getting some business as these children will possibly only need 15 hrs...when they get to 3 the parents may want you to continue caring for them as well

[blue bear]

We are busy here mainly due to all the forces personel returning to the area.

[silvermist]

Hiya. Im near Loddon, Norwich and theres about five minders in our village but we're all busy. Id advertise everywhere hun. Hope u get some more work soon xx

[KateA]

Hi, I have been thinking of offering emergency care ( not over night as dont have a spare room) does any one know if you still have to do observations, learning journeys etc

Thanks Kathryn

[tulip0803]

Hiya. Im near Loddon, Norwich and theres about five minders in our village but we're all busy. Id advertise everywhere hun. Hope u get some more work soon xx

My MIL keeps trying to get us to move to Loddon to be near her - always telling me people are moaning about the childminders being too busy - think I am happy without OFSTED though (I am in Wales)

[silvermist]

My MIL keeps trying to get us to move to Loddon to be near her - always telling me people are moaning about the childminders being too busy - think I am happy without OFSTED though (I am in Wales)

There does seem to be plenty of little ones go around here x

[tulip0803]

There does seem to be plenty of little ones go around here x

And all those new houses that are being built will mean more families for you :clapping:

[Kiddleywinks]

When you say you look on childcare.co.uk, are you a gold member? Are you able to message parents? Is that the only place you try and find prospective parents?

It can be difficult to get that first child, took me months to get my first, and I have yet to have a full timer.
I started with an 'after school & all day in the holidays' x3 days a week, and now I have 9 on my books, all part timers but means I'm now working between 45 and 60 hours a week depending on whether it's term time or school holidays.

Step up your advertising - do you have any business cards? (Vista print are really cheap)
Shops, businesses, hairdressers, schools, preschools, anywhere that has a notice board, get a card on it.
New housing estates, spend a weekend putting your card through letter boxes - it may not get you a flood of children immediately, but a business card is small enough to be kept on a fridge for someone that's pregnant/just had a baby and may need you in a few weeks/months.

Update your details with your FIS, moves you to the top of the list they send out to parents.

Doesn't matter how many parents are screaming for childcare, if they don't know you exist, you'll not get enquiries!

Good luck, and hope you get something soon

[Simona]

KateA...another thing you could do is liaise with other cms in your area...visit Stay and Play...even CCentres

Getting to know other cms also means you could start a group and if someone has enquiries about care but no spaces they can pass them on to other cms...

[KateA]

Hi thanks for the tips I have been advertising on all websites and facebook pages I can find, local preschools etc think I will give the leaflet drop a go. I was a gold member on childcare.co.uk and had few enquiries and was messed about quite a bit. ( People turning not turning, changing mind at contract signing etc.

I find it quite expensive to maintain each month so only sign up every so often. I do think local quite slow as most a few people want nannies etc at moment or are looking for this time next year or don't bother to fill out a profile I think the web site should be changed so that a profile is mandatory even if that's just states no longer looking etc would save a lot of wasted time when you email them asking their requirements x

[teacake2]

Very quiet in my area and has been for a long time, I am down to one part-timer who will be starting pre-school in January and then School Nursery next September before going onto full time school.
I am really struggling LA don't want to know when I registered with them for 2 year olds they say I live too far from the needy areas (4 miles away).
Parent doesn't pay me on time, but I know I will get it in the end, she is really struggling and does two jobs, I only keep him because he is my only one.
I have decided that when he does start full-time school I am only going to mind in the school holidays, he will only come a few hours so looking at the updates from OFSTED I won't have to be registered with them as the number of hours a day will only be 1 or 2.
I am fed up with the prospective parents that have been to view in the last year, they say my house is too small (some of them live in smaller ones than me), they make comments (in a round about way) about my age, but then say that grand parents will be sharing care, and suddenly don't like the dogs, I tell them about all the pets before they come, I think they just like a nose around like some people like to go round houses that are for sale.
Sorry about the rant, I am also bored with doing all the updates for Sept 2014 and wondering why I am bothering really.:(:(:(:(:(
Teacake2

[Ripeberry]

It's quiet in my area and for once I'm not bothered. I've got a date in my head 'September 2016' that's when I plan to give up CM as both my own children will be in senior school and I don't plan to replace or take on any more children now. Had enough of it all. Started out full of enjoyment but OFSTED has made it a horrid job. Even if I have a good time with the kids, it's always in the back of my mind 'I must evidence this' How are they learning? Just crazy :(