Your best and worst bits...

[Hollytree]

Hi all! I'd love to know, as a pre reg, what are your favourite and least favourite parts of the job? X x x

[shortstuff]

Fav is all the interaction with the lo's.

Least fav chasing late payers x

Good luck with getting it all done n started up x

[FizzWizz]

Favourite is watching babies grow into little independent people and knowing that I played a little part in that, least favourite is anything sick related!

Good luck and enjoy!

[Mouse]

The best bits are:

Being my own boss
Earning good money
Enjoying my work
The flexibility to change plans at a moment's notice
Having a lot of fun
Seeing the children develop and grow


The worst bits are:

Dealing with awkward parents
Childminding taken over your whole life
Being responsible for everything
Not being able to take sick days as easily as you'd like

[Bear23]

Best bits for me.

Seeing the 3 month old I have looked after full time, starting school... feels a bit like shes my own and so proud of her.
Sunny days at the river feeding the ducks.
When I finally cracked learning colours with one of mine.
The fact that the after school children never wanted to go home, and the ones who have left still pop around now to say hello.
The fact I have never missed an event of my daughters at school as I just take the mindees with me.
The moneys been pretty good too

Worst bits

House is always a mess
Chasing payments ( but learnt to toughen up)

Not many wprst bits for me, I've generally enjoyed it all

[bunyip]

Best bits. Until I became a CM, I'd forgotten how absolutely brilliant sticks, tractors, wax crayons, and seeing a train were.

Worst bit. Being grumpy, I have a huge list. Top of it at the moment is parents who insist lo tidies up before leaving. Ends up in a big fight and a crying child who was happy 5 minutes ago. Then I have to get all the toys/jigsaws etc. out again for cleaning and sorting into the proper boxes. I don't mind parents staying a few minutes for a catch-up, but there are times I just want to shout "take your child and go."

[The Juggler]

The best bits are:

Being my own boss
Earning good money
Enjoying my work
The flexibility to change plans at a moment's notice
Having a lot of fun
Seeing the children develop and grow


The worst bits are:

Dealing with awkward parents
Childminding taken over your whole life
Being responsible for everything
Not being able to take sick days as easily as you'd like

took the words out of my mouth!

[lozzy23]

The best bits are:

Being my own boss
Earning good money
Enjoying my work
The flexibility to change plans at a moment's notice
Having a lot of fun
Seeing the children develop and grow


The worst bits are:

Dealing with awkward parents
Childminding taken over your whole life
Being responsible for everything
Not being able to take sick days as easily as you'd like

I can agree with all of these and I am experiencing a good and bad moment all in one, as 2 of my LO's I have had since babies are going to school full time in September. It is lovely to see them all grown up and ready for their next big step, but on the other hand I am going to really miss them.

[blue bear]

Best bits, doing a job I love my way.

Worst, dressing the dolls, they are always naked at the end of the day

[MessybutHappy]

Best: answering to no one! My days are my own, no-one tells me I must be anywhere at any time, I choose! That's not to say we're completely free, parents can get teasy if you aren't home when they want to collect their child, but between those times, I can choose - aquarium, or softplay, playdough or painting! Bliss

Also - the forum, always having an idea, solution, or kind words - brilliant, never got that in my huge office!

Worst: Huge, Huge, pay cut - very worrying - not enought children on roll at the moment, but counterbalanced by no childcare costs so, probably not so badly off - the bank balance just looks rather sad!

Also, food - I find food difficult - I dislike planning, cooking and make sure five a day are achieved, I dislike children not eating, parent's not telling me they're not eating, my own not eating... ARGHH!! But I disliked all that before I started cm'ing!!

On balance - this is the best job in the world.

[Bumble Beez]

Good points -
Watching the children grow and develop knowing I had a part in that!
Meeting lovely families.
Being my own boss.
Spending time with my own children.

Bad points -
Chasing for fees.
Being called a 'glorified babysitter'.
And the fact that I am always at work



Sarah x

[Hollytree]

I love this! Everyone has slightly different likes and dislikes... Naked dolls teehee! I can't wait to get started and be my own boss! I think I'll enjoy the flexibility of how the day will go, in my job at school it's often we have to stick to our planning even if a child shows a particular interest in something! X x x

[ziggy]

The best bits are:

Being my own boss
Earning good money
Enjoying my work
The flexibility to change plans at a moment's notice
Having a lot of fun
Seeing the children develop and grow


The worst bits are:

Dealing with awkward parents
Childminding taken over your whole life
Being responsible for everything
Not being able to take sick days as easily as you'd like

Same as above plus I miss adult company at times

[jadavi]

Best bit - the way very little ones examine things for so long - keeps me grounded in the moment

Worst bit - having to keep my dog in another room most of the day.

[skatie]

Best bits- being at home with my children, lots of loves and cuddles,

Worst bits - house always being a mess and being at home but not being able to have a wee snooze on the couch when my eyelids are sagging

[bindy]

Best Bits

After living -In, has a nanny for many years, having my own home and
Being able to still look after children but
Not having sole charge for 24 hours at a time and
Able to have my own life.
Being my own boss/self employed
Earning good money
Having the freedom to organize my days has I see fit

Worse Bits

Getting paid late, sometimes
Stuff completely taking over my home.