I'm a childminder
There is lots of info & lovely ppl on here-
http://www.childmindinghelp.co.uk/forum/I enjoy my job (most of the time) but have worked in childcare all my life so it was just natural to me to childmind when I brought my 1st house, this was 4yrs before I had Cara!
It is great for me in that I get to spend time with my 2 whilst working, but on the other hand I have still had the quilt trip that my kids have to share me! I then tell myself that if I didn't do this job they would have to spend all day in someone elses care or we wouldn't have our house!
There are good days & bad days! Its great when all goes to plan and you get all activities/outings for the day done with ease! Its not so great when you have a child who is ill (but not ill enough to send home or is your own), teething, a stroppy/tired school child or own kids are desperate for attention and you are trying to cook dinner, go on the school run or even change a nappy! As with having your own kids there are good & difficult times! However I do tend to find that other ppls children are much better behaved than your own
, so its not usually mindees who are being a pain!
I sound like its all bad don't I! Its not the kids I have are great, I love them and you get to build a great realationship with them, as do your own children! You get to see them develope and grow, knowing you have contributed to the outcome!
As for managing a larger number of children it just happens really! You plan for the different ages you have and think about logistics of getting to/from the car, walking, seating at the table, who sleeps where & it soon all falls into a nice routine! I tend to find having more children around doesn't always mean more work, they have more children to play with and are more likely to be able to play occupy themselves whilst you are busy doing something. I have an older school age mindee who plays lovely with my 2 so it doesn't really matter what age they are either.
My house doesn't get wrecked it just looks a mess with all the toys
I earn about £200 a wk working 4 days, its not alot but my 2 are taking up 2 full time pre sch places! It would cost me £400 a wk to put them in nursery if I worked else where so when you consider that its not bad really!
I would consider more to the start up costs than just the course! I'm not sure what you will get help with as its different in all areas so you would have to contact your local childrens information service. You will need a 1st aid course, insurance, ofsted registration, ncma registration (not compulsery but advised) and lots of equipment- stationary (diarys, registers, accounts books etc)toys, highchairs, car seats,pushchairs, travel cots, 1st aid boxes, fire blankets, stair gates, the list is endless!
Here are some pics of my setting-
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sharon-Ch ... 9499959688Feel free to PM me with any questions