The future of childminding?

[watgem]

I am so sorry that you have had such a bad experienceof childminding. I feel sad because I really love my job and the children I work with but I am feeling that once the registration fees go up to £100 in 2010 I will probably give up and look for work in a nursery or as a nanny as will several of my colleagues as we aren't prepared to pass the exta fees onto parents, but this of course does reduce the choices for parents, especially in a rural area such as ours. As for the 3 tier childminding system , I don't know if parents will be told about it, but I always tell parents whats going on in the world of childcare as I feel its good practice and allows them to make their own choices. I am very open about telling parents about the experience and qualifications I have as are most childminders so letting parents see them isn't a problem its a positive thing, however the early years has done this to show our "level of committment and involvement" to childminding-most of the local c/minders including myself are l.3 qualified and attend every training course possible, but unless we are prepared to fork out a lot of money and take another 18months to train for the level 3 q/a scheme, we will be "labelled" as being basic childminders on the bottom tier and thats whats causing the problem becuase like most childcare workers we are very commiitted and involved. Well Jo I wish you lots of love and best wishes, I hope you find something that you will love and get the respect you deserve-good luckxxxxx

[sarahnev707]

I got funding for my NCMA Quality First - if they insist you should do it, then I strongly believe they ought to fund you! I'm also being funded for the Open University courses - I wouldn't do them otherwise.

I think whatever Ofsted throw at me money wise, I will probably have to pay it because I am a single mother who has to be at home for a disabled son. I find when tax credits top me up, I am actually better off than friends who work. I know that isn't the case if you have a husband who earns well though.

Jo, I'm sorry to hear about the disrespectful parent - that's just not right. I would suggest you terminate them and get advertising! In all my years, I've only had one set of parents who treated me badly and, even though the child was lovely, I did eventually ask them to leave... the day after they paid me for the month, but I didn't expect a termination fee... it was just a 'please don't come back..'!

I am trying to remain positive about the future, but I am also a realist and yes, I feel there is an element of Childminders being squeezed out, so I am taking every opportunity I can to go on training and courses and I am learning everything I can from websites about educational theories, working with parents etc etc as I am sure there will come a time when I will have to back into the work place - and, especially the older I get, the world will not owe me a living!!

[Jo_B]

Thanks Sarah.

I think you have a point, it is just one parent getting me down, and like yourself i find the child adorable, such an easy going character and fun to be around.
Every week i try to tell myself to ignore what i feel towards this particular parent but every week i just get more and more annoyed!!!!
It looks like the best option for me will be to admit defeat and let them go, the other family i work with are amazing everything is how it should be, and i have a very positive relationship all round!
I love childminding in so many ways but it is a very demanding role... I think childminders are highly underestimated..........
I'm qualified with my NVQ3, constantly going on courses when available to further myself.
Thanks Again Jo