If you knew then what you know now about childminding.....

[yummymummy]

I being a devils advocate really and just out of interest would ask........
I suppose it's a question for childminders who have been minding for quite a while with all the changes that have happened in the last 10 years or so i.e OFSTED, EYFS
If you knew then what you know now coupled with the usual childminders lot would you still have become a childminder or would you have gone back to your old job, retrained for something else etc etc?
I know what I would do! but don't want to influence anyone else of course and also don't want this to sound exclusive only to longer registered childminders!
Just really interested in other peoples thoughts or maybe just nosey!!!!!

[Sarsar3NCH]

It would probably have sounded really scary and daunting if I hadn't been doing this for a few years. I think I would have thought twice, but then again I wouldn't have known any other way either.

I think I would have seen it as more of a profession from the beginning, whereas I was winging it for a while when I first started, thinking I would only do this for a year or two. But now with all the changes and training I have done I am very serious about what I do and am hoping that very soon the outside world will see us for the professionals we are.

Sarah

[angeldelight]

When I first started out years ago it was good old social services

I was still nervous back then to be honest although things were very very different you still did not want to do things wrong either

If I was just starting out then no I would not be put off at all by the EYFS
There is just so much help and advice and training courses that even if you do not understand it then there is always someone to ask

We need to move with the times

Schools - nurserys everyone is changing so we change with them

It may seem daunting at first but that is like anything new - who likes change ??

In a few years it will all be the norm to us anyway

I know at the moment it seems never ending but that is because it is new
The paperwork alone seems never ending but you will get used to it
But do not be put off everyone will be fine even if you are just starting out

I think that the one thing we all have to remember is that childminding is about looking after children in our homes

That is what we are doing with or without the new EYFS

Angel xx

[Blaze]

Well I'm the opposite...if i had known what i do now...Not on your nelly!

Having said that now i'm here...i'm glad i'm a childminder & also take my profession very seriously!

Tasha

[ajs]

i gave up nursery teaching because of the paperwork so i'm not sure whether i would have childminded now, although i have never had to say to my kids that i can't be at sports day/concerts/dentist appointments so i suppose it does have it's benefits and i earn a fair wage too. having said that i wouldn't do anything else now iafter all these years i am just having to rethink the way i do things

[Blaze]

that's my problem...I was totally oblivious to all of the paperwork!
Hate it with avengance!
Tasha

[mrsbumbles]

Oh yes i would do it all again, without a second thought!

I love working with children, its so rewarding

I am my own boss

I can be at home for my dd

I can improve my qualifiactions, and keep on improving myself and services

I have my holidays when i want them

I chose my working conditions

Basically its the best move i have ever made, even due to all the changes, i wouldnt change a thing!

As i have said before, things were so much easier under Social Service, but Ofsted have got ther good points too, they have made minders more professional, and people now are starting to look at us as professional childcarers not just 'babysitters'

I love my job

[crazybones]

I think I would still do it because the main reason I started was to earn money whilst being at home with my own. I also think it has given a lot to my children growing up with so many others of different ages and cultures. (I looked after a tri-lingual little girl for 4 years and my eldest two are doing really well at Spanish and French in school becuse of us speaking it with S).They have never bothered about sharing toys even though they were always told that if they didnt want anyone to play with something special to leave it in their room. (Mind you with 4 school runs to do today and eldest off sick its not the best day to ask )

Annie x