Do you agree?

[Polly2]

Yes I am married, 4 kids,(16,14,12 &7)
and I started childminding when my youngest went to school because I missed having babies around and also I knew I would have to find some sort of childcare once I found a job.

I never thought it would be going so well and I actually earn more than my hubby who is a gardener.

I view cm as a career and so much more than just a way of bringing in the pennies

[loocyloo]

yes, i'm married, have young children, am female, but my income is vital to the family.

but also, i have worked in childcare for 20 yrs, and was a nanny when my eldest Ds was little, then decided to work from home, as i couldn't find a nanny job i wanted to do!

x

[Alibali]

Yes, but I didn't start until my youngest had started school, so possibly slightly different reasons than just for being there with my own children

[Twinkles]

Female: yes

Married: yes

Children : All grown up

[Gizmo]

yes thats me too

[Saranotts]

Yep, its me to a tee.

Sara

[Roseolivia]

Yes..... .....

[cher25]

Female, Yes
Living with partner, Yes
Kids of my own, No not yet.

I was doing supply Teaching assistant jobs, worked in nurseries as there wasnt many school's wanting someone so young. Didn't like the nurseries, which was originally what i had alway's wanted to do.
Once my dp and i bought a house, i decided i like the idea of working for myself, as quite shy and going out to work made me very nervous. Working from home, im comfortable and also getting to do what i have alway's wanted to do. The bonus is when i do eventually have children then i will be home for them.

[jeanybeany]

Yes, I fit all them apart from I was already a Nursery Nurse working in a Childrens Centre and saw minding of more as a progression on from that to keep me doing what I love and being at home for my family as well. I saw it as combining the two.

[fun house]

Yes thats me too.

[RachelE]

Yes me too

[childmind04]

Yes thats me

[cherry pink]

female yes

married/partner...no single mum

children ...yes dd 15 years old been cm for 12+ years

income.. sole provider/ no other income/maintenance so vital to live pay bills etc..

i think cm's are ypically stereotyped, there seems to be more guys joining us now and are doing a very good job too..
yes the majority of us are parents but we are also professionals delivering a very valuable service and so deserve more recognition for this...
there are not many that do this for so called pocket money, we do it to pay our bills and because we love our job, we dont ask for medals, in fact we ask for very little really, a bit of appreciation for our hard work and professionalism would be great and a little more common sense from ofsted..

[tashaleee]

Nope not me... I am:

Female - yes
Married - yes
Young Children - no mine are 10 and 14
Combining jobs - no this is my only income

I do think a lot of minders would fall into this stereotyping category BUT a lot are being put off by the paperwork as its no longer an 'easy' route. Childminders are now gaining more and more professional qualifications than ever. I will admit when I first started it was because my youngest was under 2, I was a single parent, and I needed to earn money to pay our mortgage. I didnt want someone else looking after my child. However, I have stayed way beyond that, part completed my degree, and see my setting as a business.

Also my husband is my assistant - and families like the fact their children have a positive male role model in their lives

[tulip0803]

Female: yes
Living with partner: Yes
Young children : 6, 12 & 17 (when I first started first time DD1 was 3 & DS was 8)
Combining paid work with family: yes - Although I love minding and have worked elsewhere after moving and re-reg last year cos nothing else could compare with the enjoyment I get

[ORKSIE]

I am not male or female, I am an ORK. But I live with DH and 2.4 children

[atmkids]

Yep that's me, married with 3 kids and started minding as youngest child started school.

[Spangles]

Yes, describes me.