Like the quieter life!

[scottishlass]

Hi

Just wondered if anyone was the same as me!! I have my own 2 girls aged 11 and 7 and just starting minding in nov.

I have 1 full time mindee and 2 siblings who come 2 days a week (one just before/after school) the 2 wee ones I have are only 17months and 19months. I am also just starting my svq in childcare too.

I have been getting loads of other enquiries but just feel I don't want to take anyone else on - feel I earn a good wage with what I have without being to crazy busy and also like the fact I just have 2 sets of parents to deal with and no so many people coming to the house. At the moment I have been turning enquiries down but other minders i am friends with think I am crazy!

Is anyone else like this?

Xx

[kellib]

I am kind of the same, right now I have 4 mindees on my books, however 2 only come once a fortnight (more than enough with the 4 year old lol!), and the other 2 only come 2 days a week (sometimes the same 2 days, sometimes different.)

I did have one more who came 3 days a week but he left to go to state nursery last month and I've not replaced him yet. I've had lots of interest but none that suit me. I point blank refuse to give up my Friday mornings, I'm not that desperate yet.

I can more than survive on the money I'm earning just now so I'm not in any rush to fill the space and when I do fill it it will be with hours than suit me

[Mrs Scrubbit]

Yes I now prefer the quieter life and am now working with only one family and this is only for two days! I recently gave notice to the other family and since then have had a few calls requesting placements but I'm sticking to what I have.......and loving itxx

[AgentTink]

I chose right from the outset that i would only have a few children and make sure that my own daughter wasnt impacted in any way. I always followed the rule not to take older than her and she was nearly 2 when i started. I am also very lucky/fortunate that i am not the main bread winner and i only need to earn £500 to be comfortable.

I have one mindee who is Mon to Thurs, and another mindee who is and three days between Mon to Thurs. This earns me on avg £850 a month, and i do not feel stressed, and have lots of freedom. My own little girl is now in reception, and i feel that i have the balence totally right of being there for her and working in a job that i love at the moment, with the bonus of Fridays off.

[scottishlass]

Does feel good to get a bit balance I also recently had one leave in april and haven't replaced as feel like we get out and about more with one less! My only panic when turning people away would be what if one of my families gave notice!

[scottishlass]

I chose right from the outset that i would only have a few children and make sure that my own daughter wasnt impacted in any way. I always followed the rule not to take older than her and she was nearly 2 when i started. I am also very lucky/fortunate that i am not the main bread winner and i only need to earn £500 to be comfortable.

I have one mindee who is Mon to Thurs, and another mindee who is and three days between Mon to Thurs. This earns me on avg £850 a month, and i do not feel stressed, and have lots of freedom. My own little girl is now in reception, and i feel that i have the balence totally right of being there for her and working in a job that i love at the moment, with the bonus of Fridays off.

I follow this rule too about not having older than my two - really think my two would struggle with kids older than themselves x I do wish I had a 4 day week though! Xx

[scottishlass]

I am kind of the same, right now I have 4 mindees on my books, however 2 only come once a fortnight (more than enough with the 4 year old lol!), and the other 2 only come 2 days a week (sometimes the same 2 days, sometimes different.)

I did have one more who came 3 days a week but he left to go to state nursery last month and I've not replaced him yet. I've had lots of interest but none that suit me. I point blank refuse to give up my Friday mornings, I'm not that desperate yet.

I can more than survive on the money I'm earning just now so I'm not in any rush to fill the space and when I do fill it it will be with hours than suit me

I do wish I still had a Friday off but would hate to lose my full timer - she started with my the day after I registered and was mon-thur at first! Xx

[scottishlass]

Yes I now prefer the quieter life and am now working with only one family and this is only for two days! I recently gave notice to the other family and since then have had a few calls requesting placements but I'm sticking to what I have.......and loving itxx

Sounds fab to just have 2 days working! That can be my aim for the future! Xx

[kellib]

I do wish I still had a Friday off but would hate to lose my full timer - she started with my the day after I registered and was mon-thur at first! Xx

It's annoying when they change days!!

Because I have shift workers on my books I can work anything from a 2 day week to a 4 day week and if someone desperately needed me as a one off I would work a Friday but I make it clear it's a one off!

This week it's a 2 day week but the next 2 weeks are 4 day weeks

[scottishlass]

It's annoying when they change days!!

Because I have shift workers on my books I can work anything from a 2 day week to a 4 day week and if someone desperately needed me as a one off I would work a Friday but I make it clear it's a one off!

This week it's a 2 day week but the next 2 weeks are 4 day weeks

At least its not every week then! Bet its fab when you have a 2 day week! My siblings that come 2 days are shift workers and days change from one week to the next but from end of te month they are going to have set days which will be nice and will have quieter Mondays and Fridays! X

[CLL]

I have 2 full time babies and my 5yo son. I love it, i turn down loads of inquiries but I make £1500 per month from these 2 so don't feel the need to take on any more just yet. I will never do schoolies but may take on another baby when these get a bit bigger.

[Daisy De]

I think the bottom line is with childminding it is your business, your decision how many children you look after and what hours you work. Just because you are registered for 6 under 8 doesn't mean you have to have them.

I think if the money is enough and you are happy with your set up that's all that matters. Don't feel guilty or pushed into taking on anyone else, you will only regret it.

I envy you.

[scottishlass]

I think the bottom line is with childminding it is your business, your decision how many children you look after and what hours you work. Just because you are registered for 6 under 8 doesn't mean you have to have them.

I think if the money is enough and you are happy with your set up that's all that matters. Don't feel guilty or pushed into taking on anyone else, you will only regret it.

I envy you.

Yeah I do feel a bit funny saying no especially when people are recommending me and saying I am not full (as they often see me with one baby) and then I am saying no but will stick to it xx

[scottishlass]

I have 2 full time babies and my 5yo son. I love it, i turn down loads of inquiries but I make £1500 per month from these 2 so don't feel the need to take on any more just yet. I will never do schoolies but may take on another baby when these get a bit bigger.

I earn about the same for the 3 I have and am more than happy with that wage - also if earn much more will just pay more tax!! X

[sing-low]

This thread has been really encouraging for me as I am the same! I have two LOs, both under one so coming on different days and that is more than enough. One of them comes every other Monday so I had this morning off! Like others, I am fortunate not to need to work more than this. I have three children of my own with busy schedules and a DH who is wonderful but works crazy busy hours. The time I don't work is more valuable to me and my family than the income that I would gain from working those hours.

I do feel bad about turning people away, especially when I do have 'space' but it is my business and my decision. I love being self-employed!

[PixiePetal]

I have always worked this way - never been full to capacity and worrying about how I am going to get out and about or need a bigger car (not that i even drive but you get the idea )

I chose ages and numbers to fit in with my own children as they grew up and always had at least one day off in the week

We all have to do what suits our families

[maisiemog]

I only ever had two days when I was full. And never worked a Friday. I now work 5 days a week and have 6 kids but its only for 3 hrs after school. I'm earning a similar wage but have 6 hrs to myself during the day! I have twins coming for three hrs twice a week during the day from Nov though. I love this being a lady of leisure! Just not thinking about the school holidays!

[Joda]

Yes, I feel the same. I don't have before/after schoolers for this reason as I find them really hard work! I have 3 little ones (and another due to come to me next year) on various days of the week and I have managed to have 1 day off a week (even though I keep being asked by a parent if I'd reconsider working every day

More money would be nice, however, I feel what I do is manageable with having my own children as well (ideally, I would love to work term time only but I don't think that is going to happen)

[kellyskidz!]

Yep me too, when I started last Sept I was crazily trying to full spaces and, if I'm honest, money grabbing a bit. I ran myself ragged and wasn't giving my all to either my job or my family because I'd taken too much on. Now I have one full timer, one a few days a week and one every day after schoolie as well as my own dd5. The money is a lot less but we're managing and I'm happy, and able to spend more time with my oh, daughter and friends which to me is priceless x

[nikki thomson]

I chose right from the outset that i would only have a few children and make sure that my own daughter wasnt impacted in any way. I always followed the rule not to take older than her and she was nearly 2 when i started. I am also very lucky/fortunate that i am not the main bread winner and i only need to earn £500 to be comfortable.

I have one mindee who is Mon to Thurs, and another mindee who is and three days between Mon to Thurs. This earns me on avg £850 a month, and i do not feel stressed, and have lots of freedom. My own little girl is now in reception, and i feel that i have the balence totally right of being there for her and working in a job that i love at the moment, with the bonus of Fridays off.

That's exactly the same as me, I don't need to earn a lot and we could manage quite happily without me working but I like to keep my hand in and the extra money is great for buying treats, days out etc. I look after one eyfs and have only ever had one eyfs even when mine were younger there now 5,7,9.

I told hubby unless we were really desperate for money I would not have more childminded children I just don't want a house full of toddlers any more I've done my bit, and Los mum absolutely loves the fact her son has me to himself during the day while mine are at school we have such a good relationship and spend nearly all,our time out and about socialising, I take him swimming every week during term time, farm, soft play, play dates, toddler group were always on the go I love it. X