Home schooling while Childminding?

**unalindura77** · 23-12-2013, 10:18 PM

Has anyone done this? If so how was the experience, did it work out?

Glitter · 24-12-2013, 08:08 AM

A friend of mine did this. She did find it hard at the beginning trying to fit in her children's learning around caring for little ones, but once she got a good routine going it worked well.

She ended up mainly looking after older children of other home school families. Good luck if you decide to do it.

**sarah707** · 25-12-2013, 08:27 AM

It can work well but you do have to be very organised.

Maybe have a look round some home schooling websites and get a feel for the type of things your children will be doing

**jadavi** · 26-12-2013, 08:54 AM

Hi I thought i replied to this but its gone.

I have had quite a few home educators and had no problem.
You have to be flexible and open minded as they are older but still have interests projects etc the same as young ones. Parents will help with ideas.
Mine like to do art projects, play with the little ones, go on computer, watch tv, play basket ball outside, play maths games, read. I enjoy their company being older.

**Anacrusis** · 26-12-2013, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by unalindura77

Has anyone done this? If so how was the experience, did it work out?

I do, it works well for me

**Daftbat** · 27-12-2013, 09:45 AM

I can't see this working unless you don't have any under fives to care for. I would find it amazing if anyone could properly home school children as well as providing all the requirements of the EYFS for the younger children. Something would have to give.....

**Anacrusis** · 27-12-2013, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by Daftbat

I can't see this working unless you don't have any under fives to care for. I would find it amazing if anyone could properly home school children as well as providing all the requirements of the EYFS for the younger children. Something would have to give.....

It sounds like the way you or the person you know who home ed's Daftbat might spend many hours a day teaching lessons? That does sound difficult to juggle with childminding activities.

Unalindura77, there are as many ways to HE as there are families doing it so if HE & childminding is something you're thinking of then take some time to think about how it would work for your family. It might help to get in touch with your local HE community & chat to them if possible. If you've got any specific questions let me know and I'll try to help if I can.

**unalindura77** · 27-12-2013, 10:46 PM

Thank you!

I have always wanted to home educate my daughter but it's always felt so out of reach, I was reading about how they can do the IGCSE distance courses as next step is Secondary. I will look in to this and Anacrucis..I have a million questions!! I wonder if your children are of primary or secondary age?

It's heart warming to know that some actually live the dream of mine, there is a lot I worry about with secondary schools and mainstream education. My daughter loves every second at home and begs me to home school her....I would want her to have a good education though and I know it would be a huge challenge with childminding and parents might not like the idea of her being here and me concentrating on her?

Ah well it's so nice to be able to speak about this openly and hear your opinions, thanks to you who answered!

**jadavi** · 28-12-2013, 10:06 PM

I home educated my four until GCSEs and A levels. It's the best thing I ever did.
They all have successful careers now with degrees.
Do pm me if you need support.

**Anacrusis** · 28-12-2013, 11:48 PM

My daughter's 13 & been HE since she was 5. I haven't worried about exams so far as the Independent school up the road from me will take Independent candidates for a fee although dd will most likely start a college course in year or two.

Is your daughter secondary age? I find it's all about research research research at this age - finding them interesting things to do & learn about. There could be clubs/ societies etc. locally that your dd can join if she's interested (guides /cadets/ dance /drama /sports etc.) Our local museum often runs some great activities in school holidays & the local council runs sports courses and holiday play schemes etc. so there might be some of those that your dd might enjoy. Have you made contact with HEers in your area? There may be HE groups or activities you can join in with. Of course you can also start one or two if your daughter is interested in doing something there isn't a group for. When my dd was young I started a fortnightly play group for example.

There are also online classes & distance learning courses you can buy. Or your dd could work her way through text books etc. For maths we use Maths Tutor Online for Ages 4 to 18, Maths Lessons, Maths Help, Maths Revision, Homework Help which has a HE discount but there's also the Khan Academy website which is free.

If your dd is secondary age and keen to HE you could always offer her a trial based on her being self led and getting on with her work so you're free to concentrate on your childminding and give help / feedback in the evenings. The great thing about HE and school is that nothing has to be forever, so a child can go to school from HE and vice versa.

Hope that helps

**jadavi** · 29-12-2013, 09:16 AM

If I was to child mind while home edding my own the hardest thing would be to visit other families by car which is what our main activity was and how we did our socialising which was also tied in with their education. If you were tied to the home due to child minding it would be harder but still better than using a system or school you don't want.

**Anacrusis** · 29-12-2013, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by Anacrusis

There are also online classes & distance learning courses you can buy. Or your dd could work her way through text books etc. For maths we use Maths Tutor Online for Ages 4 to 18, Maths Lessons, Maths Help, Maths Revision, Homework Help which has a HE discount but there's also the Khan Academy website which is free.

Hope that helps

Sorry I don't know why my mentioning the conquer maths website turned into a link describing it

**Anacrusis** · 29-12-2013, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by jadavi

If I was to child mind while home edding my own the hardest thing would be to visit other families by car which is what our main activity was and how we did our socialising which was also tied in with their education. If you were tied to the home due to child minding it would be harder but still better than using a system or school you don't want.

I agree with this, it is difficult but possible for us as I have enough room in the car for all of us. Sometimes an activity is suitable for everyone but sometimes it's not & dropping my daughter off somewhere doesn't always fit in with the little ones needs. So it is a compromise.

**unalindura77** · 31-12-2013, 08:22 PM

THANK YOU SO MUCH ANACRUCIS AND JADAVI

That's so encouraging to hear! I admire you both so so much and wish and I mean WISH I had the guts to do this. I will definitely check out the home edders groups around where I am and see what I can research..

My daughter isn't yet at secondary age but it is looming and she doesn't enjoy school much at all and never has. I feel guilty about that as I was always working and focusing on my career but I have changed my life around 100% by working at home to be with her plus we enjoy childcare as a family. I went to an open evening at a local secondary school and the headteacher frightened the life out of me, they are extremely driven and strict with an extremely long day and my daughter is a gentle sensitive soul while the children there seemed extremely sassy and confident.

Thank you ladies kindly, I will PM you soon if that's ok!