Childminding Pro's and Con's
Like any job childminding has its good points and its bad points.
Pro's
Enjoying watching and helping young children grow and learn whilst in your care but at the same time you still get the benefit of a good nights sleep! - Nikki
Being able to work from home, even though my children are now older so used to me being here when they come home. Able to do washing during day, nothing much else! Able to expand into professional childcare business and still not interfere with my family, a seperate room is valuable and recommended to anyone, even though we still use other rooms on occasion. Having toilet down stairs is a life safer. Being my own boss!!!!
Enjoyment of the job able to see children develop and share this with their parents. I enjoy a challenge. Recent expansion through grants etc., to increase provision, and enjoyment. Choose my holidays to suit ME!! - Sue
Its nice being at home if I get a phone call from school saying that one of my own children are ill, and I don't have to beg for time off work to get them. -Mandy
My own boss, I can choose hours to suit, it enables me to be at home with my kids, useful source of income, enjoy the social side with childminder friends and Network etc. I find looking after kids interesting, enjoy the variety of kids ages and stages, I particularly love my social services minding as the change seen in kids over just a few months can be quite spectacular, its very rewarding to know you have played a significant part in the transformation. - Caroline
Working in my own home and being there for my own kids after school and in holidays. Being able to set my own working hours, fees and holidays. I get to do all the fun things with children that my own kids have outgrown but I still love, and to develop great relationships with children and parents - Lorna
Con's
Parents! Non-payment, more cleaning up to do, low pay and being used & treated like a glorified babysitter in some cases! - Nikki
Being stuck in house a lot. No one to talk to. :-( except my brill assistant) she's a life saver. Forgetting how to spell words except cat, dog, mat, etc. Dealing with parents!! Odd problems with lateness of monies and time keeping but not to bad as I lay down rules at beginning!! Having to ask my daughter, 21 and registered assistant too as well as nursery nurse to come in playroom at 5.00pm whilst I put out tea for family after her hard day working in a school. As I will not let my family wait for their meal after working hard all day! I have a family routine too. - Sue
It can be quite isolating in winter as I like to get out and about a lot. - Mandy
Can be difficult for own kids to cope with, particularly toddlers; sharing toys and mum's attention etc. Some parents seem to think you are superwoman and can do anything and everything with three kids in tow, yet they bring their child to you even when they have days off, and leave them there till 5.45, because they have shopping to do! Parents lack of consideration that your workplace is also your home, and you have a life after 6pm! A few parents begin to believe that you do it for the love of their children and take liberties (wrong; it is a job which I do for money, I am fond of their children and enjoy their company, but I also like to wave them bye-bye at the end of the day!) - Caroline
Low pay and long hours. It can be boring - reading 'Maisy's Christmas' for the 20th time! The wear and tear on my own house is considerable - Lorna
