How long have you been a childminder?

[primula]

I have been childminding this year for 23 years! Wondered how long others have been doing this job and who has been minding the longest?! AND can you remember how many children you have had!!? I did try to write them down some years ago and got to about 35:)

[peanuts]

i childminded for 11 years befor taking a rest from it.

I kept a not of start dates/leaving dates/ reason form leaving - has came in very handy over the years.

[Playmate]

19 years with a 2 year break :D run out of fingers to count all the children, but some where in the 40 - 50 region. Hubby has worked with me full time for the last 3 years so numbers of children passing through seemed to have increased :rolleyes:

[Trouble]

it will be 2 months short of 6 years about 30 kids:eek:

[~Chelle~]

6 and a half years and looked after about 14 children :)

[cherry]

I've been minding 15 years now and going through some old paperwork at the weekend found some I used when I first started.

The contract was a A5 double sided card and a form from Social Services that the parents had to fill in and that was all we had :)

[snufflepuff]

Only 2 years. And I've cared for 8 children in that time (plus 2 children as one- off's.)

[WibbleWobble]

two very long and hard years....

i have had 11 through my books....i still have 8 of them and the other ones are still intouch

[primula]

I remember those Cherry! ours were blue and had only a few line to complete, I wish I had kept one! remember having a visit once a year, just like a friendly chat!!!

[EmmaReed84]

OMG I have been CMing for 4 whole... entire... non stop MONTHS!:eek: :laughing:

Still trying to find my stride, and a system that works for me but I am guessing that will never really happen as they change the rules so often lol

[christine e]

21 years :panic:

Cx

[kellib]

I'm into my 5 month now :thumbsup:

[kayz90]

Hi i dont know how set up my own post useless, but im looking for some help with risk assessments if anybody can send me some through my email that would be great!!! i really don't know how many your suppose to do and on what!!! please help me a new childminder xox

[solly]

11 years this July with no break am seriously thinking of having a change as the spark has gone, not sure whether its just the winter blues or i need a change of career

[cherry]

Yes primula those yearly visits were lovely, we had the same person each year and they got to know you and your household. You could have a nice chat over a cup of tea and know they would offer advice and support if you needed it.

I don't think I was as worried then as I am now when an inspection is due.

[kayz90]

hiya i dont seem to do anything right on this site i cant end new threads so i have to go on other peoples, but i really need help on risk assessments i would love to see some examples of some and what you actually risk access pls help love kaylee xxxx:)

[Pauline]

hiya i dont seem to do anything right on this site i cant end new threads so i have to go on other peoples, but i really need help on risk assessments i would love to see some examples of some and what you actually risk access pls help love kaylee xxxx:)

You have started one here: http://childmindinghelp.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=95441

You have to give time for your posts to get through moderation as you are new, for full details see your welcome message in your private messages or in your email. :)

[Daftbat]

13 years and over 100 children. Did some community childminding a few years ago and that involved quite a high turnover of children.

I still love it - just when you think you cant be amazed by the kids they do something to make it worthwhile.

[primula]

Daftbat- 100 kids wow!! I know what you mean about those little moments! kids just make me laugh most of the time! I was making brekkie and turn round to see two little mindees standing right behind me silently staring! reminded me of that film children of the corn!!:laughing:

[sandy64]

24 years omg 24yrs lol cant remember how many kids but its a fair few look after kids own kids now ye there is so much paper work now think when i started you need fireguard safety gate:laughing: times have changed gunna stop there as im showing my age lol

[catlyn]

I first started minding when my eldest was 2 (hes almost 30 now) then I took a break while i did my NNEB and got a "proper job" LOL.....I've been back just over a year now and its the best thing I ever did :)

[mushpea]

almost 5yrs and its been great,, think ive had about 15 children,, got 6 on my books at the moment

[PixiePetal]

Over 17 years. Will try a count up of children one day - got so many photos of the old days when my children were young growing up alongside mindees.

Miss those simple inspections - one of mine lasted 15 - 20 mins! and paperwork - A4 folded to A5 - one was contract and another sheet for child info :) simple.

[Mollymop]

COming up to 4 years and minded 19 kids :)

[sonia ann]

nearly 16yrs and 49 children......just counted them and surprised myself :)


oops found details of 4 more from when I first started..........53 :clapping:

[primula]

looks like sandy64 wins so far with 24 years!! but I bet there is some that can beat that! For me personally, the way I work hasnt changed in all the years! but the mountain of paperwork has grown to himalayan heights!!

[betty boop]

8 months :)

[karensmart4]

10 years this April...... Started off by myself, a co-minder joined me 2 years later and now have an assistant as well, always been busy and run a waiting list.

Will add the numbers up one day, the children are remembered for different reasons as are the parents :rolleyes:

[sue m]

Started in 1987 and had a break in 2001 to care for my husband and went back in 2007.

[Roseolivia]

Just over 4 years but have just had a year maternity leave. 6 kids currently and 6 old ones.

[Pauline]

This is my 28th year, did a count up once and it was around 140 children, but that was some years ago!!

There are about 6 who keep in regular contact with photos etc. One now has their own child. Make me feel old!:rolleyes:

[Cammie Doodle]

Since 1994 this time around, used to do community childminding and Im ashamed to say have lost count :blush: as it blends in with Foster Children coming and going around the same time . And I dont want ANY other job ;)

[primula]

AND the winner is pauline!! lets hope we are still on here to celebrate your 30th year!!! i think if you are still childminding when your own children have grown up then your in for the long haul!!

[Playmate]

AND the winner is pauline!! lets hope we are still on here to celebrate your 30th year!!! i think if you are still childminding when your own children have grown up then your in for the long haul!!

If you can survive beyond your own children growing up, thats when you really start to enjoy and appreciate what you do :D

[singingcactus]

Since 94, when I got married. I took the little boy I nannied for prior to that with me too. Am still in touch with most of my kids and families, though not all. Very hard when we all move around so much, which is why I love facebook so much - I get to see all my kids, and their kids.
Have no idea how many I have cared for in that time.

[Pauline]

AND the winner is pauline!! lets hope we are still on here to celebrate your 30th year!!! i think if you are still childminding when your own children have grown up then your in for the long haul!!

I only did it for something to do till they started school :laughing::laughing:

[teacake2]

28 years January 8th 2012 so just gone, over 150 children that I can think of, and I have recently looked after the son of the very first one I looked after.

I too remember the good old days of inspections, so much better than now, we were able to concentrate on looking after the children not worrying about paperwork, and have we crossed the t's and dotted the i's for OFSTED
Teacake2

[Bear23]

Three years in march
about 14 children, only four have left x

[nannysue]

I have been a Registered Childminder for ........


da da dahhhhhh 32 yrs & 7 months!!! :eek::clapping:

How things have changed from the days of Social Services

[loocyloo]

wow! some people have been doing this a LONG time :D

i've been childminding about 8 years, but nannied for 14 years before that ... and i don't want to think about the number of children i have looked after :panic:

( i nannied for a few large families, and also have had a fair number of over 8's !!! )