Cazz
11-06-2008, 01:37 PM
A long one, sorry!

I'm in a bit of a turmoil about what to do. I really want to become a childminder but am feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all, especially as the tutor at my ICP course last night was saying that if you register before Sept you need to know about birth to three etc but the publications are no longer available to get the info and then from Sept it will just be EYFS.

I'm on maternity leave from a bank at the moment and my pay finishes in July but I can have until October off. I called in to work today and they really want me to come back and they have a position available for 14 hours over 2 days (I was doing 20 hours over 3 days). One day would have to be a Wednesday and the other day would be my choice.

What I would like opinions or advice on is this:- if I went back for 2 days from end of September (thinking possibly Weds & Thurs as dh would be off every other thurs to look after baby) and send of my paperwork at the beginning of September (which would give me longer to get everything sorted and also only EYFS to think of) is it possible to also childmind on the 3 days I'm not working? I know I may not be able to start minding until the end of the year or January but I'm thinking this would take a bit of the financial pressure of while I'm starting out and a way of testing the water to see the demand for childminders in my area.

I realise it would restrict me with who I could mind but I'm only thinking of going back to work short-term (with benefits I get it would be best if I could stay until the next tax year!) Ultimately I want to childmind full time so if there was a big enough demand I would give a months notice and leave the bank anyway.

If I could be both employed and self-employed would it be really complicated for tax purposes? Also, from your experiences do you think I would be able to get any mindees if I was only available on a split week - ie Mon, Tues & Fri?

I hope some of you are still with me, sorry to go on but I know how brilliant you all are at giving advice and work want to know asap so they can keep the hours for me!

Carole x

Blaze
11-06-2008, 01:43 PM
A long one, sorry!

I'm in a bit of a turmoil about what to do. I really want to become a childminder but am feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all, especially as the tutor at my ICP course last night was saying that if you register before Sept you need to know about birth to three etc but the publications are no longer available to get the info and then from Sept it will just be EYFS.

I'm on maternity leave from a bank at the moment and my pay finishes in July but I can have until October off. I called in to work today and they really want me to come back and they have a position available for 14 hours over 2 days (I was doing 20 hours over 3 days). One day would have to be a Wednesday and the other day would be my choice.

What I would like opinions or advice on is this:- if I went back for 2 days from end of September (thinking possibly Weds & Thurs as dh would be off every other thurs to look after baby) and send of my paperwork at the beginning of September (which would give me longer to get everything sorted and also only EYFS to think of) is it possible to also childmind on the 3 days I'm not working? I know I may not be able to start minding until the end of the year or January but I'm thinking this would take a bit of the financial pressure of while I'm starting out and a way of testing the water to see the demand for childminders in my area.

I realise it would restrict me with who I could mind but I'm only thinking of going back to work short-term (with benefits I get it would be best if I could stay until the next tax year!) Ultimately I want to childmind full time so if there was a big enough demand I would give a months notice and leave the bank anyway.

If I could be both employed and self-employed would it be really complicated for tax purposes? Also, from your experiences do you think I would be able to get any mindees if I was only available on a split week - ie Mon, Tues & Fri?

I hope some of you are still with me, sorry to go on but I know how brilliant you all are at giving advice and work want to know asap so they can keep the hours for me!

Carole x

I was employed & self employed & found it works really well (lots of us are)...it doesn't over complecate things either re tax! It's actually a nice way to ease yourself into minding.

As far as filling your vacancies re a split week I shouldn't think it would be a problem at all...but it will depend on demand in your area...but that's in general nothing to do with the split week. :)

sarah707
11-06-2008, 02:35 PM
I don't see any reason why you cannot combine the 2... like Blaze says, lots of minders have other jobs.

It's just a bit longer tax form but it's not that bad - I did one for a friend recently and there's just an extra page.

Go with your money head for now and advertise the days you're not working at the bank and see what comes along :D

marian
11-06-2008, 02:46 PM
Hi.
I used to childmind Mon, Tues and Wed and then work a Friday and Sat as a childrens nurse before minding full time.

Even now, although I am full time I still look after part time children, one for only one day a week.

The tax bit was ok, as Sarah said you just fill an extra bit in.

Marian

crazybones
11-06-2008, 02:46 PM
I have just signed someone for Mon, Thursday and Friday but couldnt accomodate someone for Monday Tuesday and Friday. So there is likely to be a demand for a split week. Good Luck. :thumbsup:

miffy
11-06-2008, 03:20 PM
Nothing to add except to wish you good luck

miffy xx

katickles
11-06-2008, 03:34 PM
I think by doing that you will help yourself so much financially - it could be a while before you even got any children to mind & so this way at least you'll have an income.

Good luck in what ever you decide :)

angeldelight
11-06-2008, 09:36 PM
Just wanted to say good luck whatever you decide to do

Keep us posted

Angel xx

Cazz
11-06-2008, 09:45 PM
Well I'm slightly peeved at the moment! I discussed this with dh this afternoon when he got in and he said it was up to me (!) but when we got to the bit about him looking after the baby EVERY OTHER week (assuming I worked on a Thursday) his expression said it all!

I commented that he obviously wasn't keen on that idea and he replied "well I will if you want but I'm often really tired by the time I get my Thursday off as I work two jobs and it's my only full day off" (he works 3 nights a week at a local pub - his choice originally although the money is handy :thumbsup: ). I said "Well, hello! Are you following this? - I would be working two jobs as well! And also seeing to 3 kids in the evening and cleaning the house etc!"

One of the reasons I am considering going back to work as well as minding initially is that I know full well if I don't get any minding work or earn very little for a while, this "I work two jobs you know" will get thrown back in my face regularly!

MEN!! :angry:

Carole x

angeldelight
11-06-2008, 09:48 PM
He is male what do you expect haha

Angel xx

Cazz
11-06-2008, 10:03 PM
He is male what do you expect haha

Angel xx

I've obviously not got a unique one then! :laughing:

Carole x

tulip0803
11-06-2008, 10:36 PM
Personally I think that it would be very sensible to have to jobs to start with. How quickly you fill vacancies depends on demand. When I originally started minding I was lucky enough to get a full timer immediately, with older sis b4 & after school. By the time I finished all my children were part time and I had no-one during the day on a Friday as no-one wanted any of the spaces for that day.

I also took a second job when I suddenly lost nearly all my mindees (one Mum made redundant, another finished college course) It gave me something to fall back on whilst I built up the mindees again. I only had to fill in 1 extra sheet with the info on my P60 for the employment to send off with the self assessment. The tax office sent me a nice cheque with refunded tax just after Xmas:)

manjay
12-06-2008, 06:28 AM
I too think it is a very sensible idea to do 2 days at your old job. You will have a guaranteed income until you find your feet minding. The tax form is not much longer. I had my ds 2 years ago and becasuse of how my maternity leave worked I have still received employed income in the last 2 financial years. The employed income is the really easy part on your tax form as you get all your figures on your P60 at the end of the year.

I have part all part timers and I have recently taken on a child who needed full time care. The parent was very happy with me and my business and snapped up the 3 days I was able to do and has sorted care with family for the other 2 days. So it is possible.

On another front, having also worked for banks/financial institutes for 20 years I couldn't be more pleased that I finally made the jump to childminding.

If my husband uses the "I'm tired, I work 12 hour days" routine I just reply with "Welcome to my world"!!!!!:D

Good luck x

Cazz
12-06-2008, 09:47 PM
Thanks everyone for your help. The more I think about it the more sense it makes to do both in the short-term as it would only cause tension at home if I'm not earning. Definately want to childmind full time as soon as I'm able to though - although I like elements of my bank job there's too much sales pressure these days unfortunately :( and I no longer see it as a long-term career. Only real downside is that I get a pension paid for me which although it would be frozen, I would have to pay for one myself when I left.

I think hubby may have realised I wasn't happy yesterday :thumbsup: , he's been really helpful today - even seeing things that need doing without having to be asked :eek:

Hope you won't mind me coming on here though if I don't get registered until September - I don't think I could cope without my daily fix of forum life!

Carole x

theoldwoman
12-06-2008, 10:11 PM
Hi Carole, I am sure you will find part timers, all but one of mine are, it is much nicer being ones own boss. Will have to remind DH that they are his children too!
Sue

angeldelight
12-06-2008, 10:23 PM
Most of mine are part timers too

Good luck and glad hubby was nice to you this evening ha

Angel xx

jaja
14-06-2008, 03:17 PM
good luck with whatever you decide to do xxxxxx

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