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View Full Version : For those of you who have registered as a CM fairly recently...



teacherinwales
03-06-2011, 09:46 PM
What did you do before prior to childminding?
And how is it going? Any pros or cons? Lack or plenty of work?

This is still something I am thinking about seriously. I move next week and still have no teaching job... maybe fate is telling me to go for CM!

lma
03-06-2011, 10:34 PM
I registered at a childminder just after my second daughter was born and shes now 2. I must say I was a little nieve to say the least and I knew there would be paperwork involved however I didnt expect the volume there is....seriously :eek:

I used to work in an office and alright I had flext time but I still had to put in an average 8hr day which was draining on both myself and my family.

The pros ... working from home so get to do a few odd jobs whilst working like doing the washing, occassionally doing the odd shopping trip for a few odds and ends, getting to see my children grow (didnt realise I missed out on as much with my first daughter till I have watched my second grow) first steps, first word, etc. Being your own boss and setting your own hrs, getting to help nurture(??) the young ones and teach them things like using cutlery, brushing teeth, writing their own name and these things might not seem a big deal to some people however I love it.

The cons... working from home so mess is there to clear once all mindees have go home, not being able to quickly nip to the shops as mindees are asleep, missing own childrens assemblys/awards ceremonys when a mindee has decided to throw a strop and you have to take them out of the hall to avoid ruining it for everyone else, being your own boss and having to do accounts, paperwork, sometimes having to deal with horrid parents who think you work for them and sometimes horrid children who have no respect for you, your home or the contents in it.

I know some people also find this job quite isolating however I regularly meet up with other childminders and visit toddler groups and this helps not only the children to socialise with other children but also lets ME have some adult conversation every once in a while.

As you can see for each pro there is a con and vice versa however I honestly DO love my job and wouldn't dream of going back to work in the office I used to work in. However I do know a few childminders who are only working until their youngest is in full time school and can't wait to go back to working in an office/shop/etc.

I have even introduced my sister to the world of childminding (she currently works in a nursery) and shes currently doing her ICP so I always say give it a go as its the best decision I ever made.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

WOW THAT WAS A LONG ONE LOL:eek: :D :laughing:

teacherinwales
03-06-2011, 10:43 PM
Thanks for that reply, very informative. I know paperwork can be a pain but I feel I'd be able to cope with it as the amount of paperwork in teaching is silly really. What worries me is the attitudes of parents - in an ideal world I'd like them all to be supportive but that's not real life is it? ;) How about income/amount of children in your care? Have you found this to be disappointing?
Thanks again. :thumbsup:

rickysmiths
03-06-2011, 11:35 PM
Hi there. I have been monding for 17yrs now and don't regret one minuite of it.

I started when my son was 11mths ( he is now a 6' 16yr old) and my daughter (now 18 and off to uni in Sept) was nearly 3yrs.

I took on a 16 week baby 5 afternoons term time only. It gave me a small income, I think it was about £65pw and I still had the mornings with my two and continue their activities. I wanted to be able to stay at home with my children but be able to contribute as well.

No Computers to enable you to work from home in those days, how times have changed.

There was not the large amount of paperwork then and I have kind of grown into that over the years.

Hey if a 56yr old can work a 50 hour week looking after 2 x 14mth old, 1 x 10mth old and two 7yr olds before and after school. Support 2 teenagers who are currently doing GCSE and A Levels, a stressed Teacher husband and still be up baking for for the Church fair tomorrow afternoon. Having had a friend over for supper tonight. :laughing: :laughing:

You should be able to cope with the work of a cm.

I love it because I have always been at home for my two. I have been able to get to their little concerts when they were at plygroup, assemblies and performances at school. I have been able to take and collect them from school (I still do from time to time!).
Go Shopping
Do the washing
Prepare Dinner
Odd other jobs
Put my feet up and have a coffee when the children are asleep and come on here :blush:
Be able to deal with some household matters during the day, like make odd phone calls which I couldn't when I was employed
Have a friend over for a coffee or lunch
Go to a friends for coffee or lunch
Go to museums and gallerys in London
Listen to music while I work
Choose the hours I work, what I do and where I go
Decide when I want my holidays and not be told when I can have them
Meeting and working with lots of lovely families and children
Watching mindees grow and develop into independent, confident, lovely children and adults (still waiting for my first wedding, been to Christenings and a couple of Barmitzvahs)
Being valued as someone special in the life of the children I care for

Not so fond of:
the long hours I agree to work sometimes :rolleyes:
The few grotty families, who seem to think you are their servant and at their beck and call 24/7. They soon learn it doesn't work like that :laughing:
Not being paid on time
Being treated as if I don't know anything because 'I'm only a babysitter' :eek:

Thankfully the top list happen 99% of the time and the bottom 1%

No cm working on their own is registered for more than a total of 6 children under 8yrs. 3 of these may be 0-5 and one of these 3 may be under one.

I currently have 3 under 14mths doing the equivilent of 12 days out of a possible 15 in a week. I charge £50 per day I then have 2 before and after school 2.5 days a week and they pay 1/2 fee retainers through the school holidays. I a little under £2000 my first year 17yrs ago with one child 1/2 a day term time. I now comfortably earn the same as my teacher husband who has been a teacher for 20yrs.

I have been lucky seem to fill my vacancies. Since Christmas when a child I had had for 4.5yrs left and then siblings of 4.5 and 2.5 who I had had from 8mths left suddenly at the end of March (they have moved 300 miles away :( ) I had lost my three full timers. I had taken on two part timers in Sept and Nov both went to 4 days and then I had a call at end of Feb for an end of March start for a full timer. Both my after schools have given notice in the last week and I saw a second lady today and have filled both those places now for Sept.

I would say it will take time to fill Vacancies and so don't expect mega bucks within weeks of starting. You will also have start up expenses for Training, Registration, Insurances, Registration with data Protection, resourses etc.

Good Luck

VINASOL
04-06-2011, 07:25 AM
I used to be a commissioning editor for a publishing company which meant quite a lot of stress, lots of travel (even abroad which I hated); I took voluntary redundancy and worked locally until deciding to become a CM.

I have been registered for almost a year now and it definitely harder than what I thought it was going to be.

It's great being at home for my kids (DD, 4; DS, 8) and I really like the fact that I don't have to go 'into the office' every day.

However, I have found it harder in terms of minded children's behaviour and that of their parents. Sometimes I think I'm not cut out for it because my children behave in a certain way and perhaps my expectations for other children to behave that way are set too high. I hate the money side of things too (am way too soft).

I haven't yet looked after babies or toddlers (have 3-4yr olds and 7-8yr olds), but I am currently full (well until 22 july) but this has meant that because I am full (and restrictions from my local council) my son rarely has friends over and when DD starts school in Sep I want to have space to give her the same opportunities of having friends over after school too. So in a way beign a CM is stopping my kids from having a social life and it's hard arranging after school activities because I'm always working.

So, I'm still in the new and learning process and am hoping that new children coming into my setting wont be as mean as the children about to leave...

The Juggler
04-06-2011, 08:36 AM
i used to work in Human Resources. Loved my job but was being bullied at work (by my boss) and never saw my kids as I commuted. Tried to find a job nearer home with shorter hours but never happened.

So, roll forward, I got registered but told a few local minders I was in the process. Young mum returning to work needing 2 x full time places and could't find anywhere to place them together so one of the local minders told her about me.

have never had more than a one day/week vacancy.

However, suggest you call the local Development officer and ask her what childcare demand is in your area, what vacacny levels are like etc. and what average rates are. If you can work out what you need to earn to support your household that will help you work out how busy you'll need to be. Good luck :thumbsup:

samb
04-06-2011, 08:49 AM
Hello!

I was nannying before childminding. And before that in a nursery so always in childcare. I actually did not return to my full time nanny job (well only to help out for a month) after having my 2nd child. I took some time out and DH was working 2 evening shifts a week in a restaurant to top up income. It got to the point where I felt I should do some work so he could just concentrate on his full time job. I live in a flat and didn't think anyone would choose me to be a childminder. Took a while looking into other things but couldn't find anything that would fit in with husband's work hours and the kids. A friend approached me for childcare - only temporary part time hours but I asked her if she thought others might use me as a childminder in a flat. She seemed to think so, so I agreed to go on the course etc and knew I had 1 part timer when I was set up.

As I am in an upstairs flat with 2 kids of my own I am only registered to take 2 children under 8, which obviously cuts down the amount of income available to me compared to others in the area who could easily have double or triple that. However, to make end meet I know I only have to bring in a small amount - the rest is to have "extras", for example we recently had to buy a new fridge freezer and were able to save enough money to pay it off on a 3 month interest free agreement. Before we had no money for dealing with these sorts of things so it has made a big difference to us. I look after 2 children 2 days a week each (they over lap on 1 day, so a 3 day week). The orginal mindee has now left which was always the plan - full time school now. I am finding I do not get many enquiries despite avdertising and when I do they are for school runs other than my dd's so I can't do them.

Paper work - I am sure this would be no problem for you as a teacher. Accounts are not difficult when you get your head around that side of the paperwork either. Start up costs really depend on your property and family. I didn't need to buy much or change my flat as I have young children and so it is set up appropriately with plenty of toys, I have just bought bits as I have gone along. I showed Ofsted a wish list of items I would like and why and said I couldn't afford to get everything at once. She was understanding of this. So really start up was more doing the courses, insurance packs etc.

I am used to working alone having been a nanny and this for me is better as I am my own boss so can dictate more what the activities will be and where rather than sticking to someone elses schedule. I feel it is better for my children too as I am more laid back about what they do at my home than in someone elses. It is hard for them to share all of their toys and space so I am starting to get round this with new storage, splitting toys between sharing and nonsharing etc. I have been lucky with paying parents that are mostly considerate and trust my judgements etc.

Yes there is more clearing up to do but there is also more time to do it in than if you were working out of the house full time. I even manage to do a bit of ironing in the day when 1 mindee is sleeping and my son gets his special toys out. My only cons so far are that my dd would love to start going to Rainbows but I can't get her there cos of the time it is with the mindees I have got and my ds has lashed out a few times at mindees regarding sharing.

teacherinwales
05-06-2011, 08:13 PM
I don't have any children of my own so I won't need to worry about sharing toys, being at assemblies etc. I also don't mind not being able to pop to the shops whenever (I wouldn't be able to do that in other jobs) and I don't think I'd get lonely working at home. I like my own company... and I'll still have time to do my hobbies and go out and about.
I need a change I think, I need to work! I've sent a few job applications but if nothing comes of them then CM is will probably be... although I'm nervous just thinking about a career change!

tulip0803
06-06-2011, 08:10 PM
What did you do before prior to childminding?
And how is it going? Any pros or cons? Lack or plenty of work?

This is still something I am thinking about seriously. I move next week and still have no teaching job... maybe fate is telling me to go for CM!

Before Minding originally I was a night time controller for a recovery garage but got made redundant. The 2nd time I was a Playworker in a family centre (still am).

First time I got a full time pre-school & school age child immediately. This time I got 1 child 2 times a week for 6 hours a day - that dropped to once a week after a few months. I am now quite comfortable with what I am earning but 1 of my children's Mum is having another baby which will be good for next year but will put me on retainer until May 2012. Another Mum has had her funding reduced so my income is dropping their and 2 of my ad-hocs are moving:( . On the bright side Had an enquiry for 1 now & her baby bro in Sept:D and another ad-hoc is expecting Sept and keeps saying that she will be needing me more then:D .

Pros- love it. love it love it
cons - some parents take the mick - chasing money - and things can change in an instant!

Still I have come back to it after moving from England to Wales and will do it full-time as soon as I have the enquiries to justify it. At the moment I work 3 days in a Family Centre and 3 days minding. Trying to get a good reputation:rolleyes: so hard work at the minute. It can't help to register whilst you are looking for work. Many of the teachers here are on termly contracts so never know where they are too!

khlwomitchell
31-07-2011, 09:34 PM
really i am just commenting on the parent relations thing.
I have heard from lots of childminders about poor parent/CM relationships or just parents taking the ****.
Best to be organised and a little ruthless.
Some parents always late... have a policy that clearly shows you will charge by 15min intervals or such.
some parents sit down and make themselves comfotable when you have just finished 'work' and want them to go... have the kid by the door in their coat or have a reason to nip out as they arrive.
Non payment parents, try suggesting a bank transfer on the contracted hours or just doing weekly pay then if a few missed you are not too out of pocket, maybe have a policy for it
parents who you just don't connect with... if you feel you don't see eye to eye make sure all you do is in policy and they sign it! then if you let them watch cbeebies for an hour and they diagree suddenly show they were happy at start (poor example).

just a few of the horror stories i have heard and hopefullt avoided by being prepared, good luck, i love the job and my little charge and with three kids of my own under six i'd not be able to work if i didn't do this!

time_4_change
02-08-2011, 07:46 PM
Hi

I am at the pre-reg stage and I have just sent off my CRB. I think it will do you no harm to look into it and maybe get the ball rolling. I am finding the process so far both enjoyabe and stressful. I do worry about things like ... what if I don't get paid, what if I don't get the work etc. I just keep telling myself that it will be ok in the end and I have got to give it a go.

good luck with whatever you choose :)

Leanne

PerkyEars
03-08-2011, 10:28 AM
I've been minding for 18months ish. I like it, but there are things which are not as easy as they are cracked up to be. But it's like any job, there's a learning curve, different people find different things hard. Pros and cons are as others have said - you can't beat the freedom of working for yourself and the joy of forming relationships with the kids and parents, downside is its low pay for the amount of work (I didn't know I was born in my office jobs :laughing: ), and there can be a lot of stress, and days with literally no way to take a break without the little darlings following you from room to room like you were the Pied Piper. You'll only have time to do your hobbies on a day when you don't have 3 under 5s fighting all day, or a baby that doesn't scream when you put them down, trust me! My advice to new starters is:-

1) don't give up if you feel like you can't hack it with your first client. I found it heavy going with my first, in retrospect I'd got unlucky and the behavior of parents and children was on the 'challenging' end of things, and since then it's been a lot easier!

2) make sure you've got a plan in place for budgeting if you don't get the work you're expecting. I was breezily told 'you'll soon by full' by a lot of people and in fact it's been a lot more bitty. Fortunately my OH has a job but if I'd been on my own I'd have been struggling more than once.

3) don't underestimate the expenses of toys, equipment, outings, meals, stationary, etc. Yes, you can build up gradually, but developing your setting is going to involve spending money. Work out how you're going to do this.

4) it's not an easy way to earn a bit of cash from home - it's hard work and you have to be passionate about wanting to work for yourself with all that entails as well as wanting to work with children.

candlequeen
04-08-2011, 09:11 PM
The biggest downside for me is that all in all, since resigning from my job (marketing officer in local government) I had next to no income for about one year, whilst going through the registration process, advertising vacancies, meeting parents, actually getting them to sign contracts and finally starting work. I think that being a teacher will stand you in good stead, I found that some people did not choose me as their childminder due to a lack of childcare work experience (I have my own daughter nearly 3).
I have been advised along the way to be picky, only sign contracts with parents where you feel you get along and you feel you share values and could have a decent working relationship, you like the kids, and the hours are right for you. It is easy to ignore this advice when you start getting desperate for money, but if you can afford it it definitely is worth holding out for the right people. You will kick yourself if you take on someone not right, and then someone ideal comes along and you haven't got a space.