Worried about money!

[Sydneysmum]

I promise you I don't have anything against childminders and think the majority do an amazing job, I am personally put off of childminding myself as it really concerns me that its so easy for someone to blame you of harming a child when you didn't do it and being unable to prove your innocence.

For those of you who are childminders/nannies is there any way to protect yourself from this? I know theres insurance, but is that enough if the situation was god forbid to arrise?

No offence taken, these are natural concerns. The business of childminding is becoming so tightly regulated now that it's virtually impossible for anyone other than the very keen to get through the net. I'm a member of the NCMA (National Child Minding Association) as most childminders are - they also run an enhanced quality scheme. I'm what is called a 'Network' childminder which means that the local area co-ordinator visits me every few months to ensure I'm still offering quality care. You get extra training and you have some extra paperwork to do but it's a quality control scheme that is above and beyond what Ofsted requires. They also do a Quality First scheme which is more or less the same - have a look at the website.

With regard to things going wrong, as long as you follow the guidelines for child protection (we get loads of training) and keep efficient records, the NCMA will back you up. The childminder dragged through the press recently about the baby shaking case obviously didn't keep proper records as there were substantial holes in her story.

Although you are already a qualified child carer you may have to do a homebased childcare qualification as well but I'm sure your training will take you a long way.

With regard to choosing a childminder, the NCMA website has loads of information on what to look for and a list of questions you might like to ask. Your local office will also be able to put you in contact with minders who are part of their quality control scheme. I understand your concerns - I know of a few childminders who perhaps don't offer the best quality of care but I also know of some absolute gems. I hope you find this helpful - please PM me if you would like more information.

 

[Penstraze]

Thanks for your reply its very helpful! If I decide to go down that route im sure I will have lots more questions to pester you with! Just one more is it possible to childmind if you have a dog?

I had assumed I would have to do another course to be a childminder but I have an nvq 3 in childcare and 1st year of a btec in early years so I should imagine that would go towards it in a similar way that my 1st year in BTEC was put towards my nvq when I had to move and so leave my course.

 

[Tick-Tock]

What about the childcare vouchers.....

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/health ... e-vouchers

Childcare costs are a huge drain on the finances. Yet the little-known ‘Childcare Voucher' scheme can save you £1,000s on nursery fees or child minder costs every year.

It allows you to pay for childcare from your pre-tax income. While this mightn't sound a big deal, the impact is huge. For every £1,000 a basic rate taxpayer earns, after tax and national insurance is deducted, they only actually receive a little under £700 in their pay packet. By using childcare vouchers, the whole £1,000 pays for childcare so there's a £300 gain per £1,000 of childcare.

It's going to save us a fortune... I've worked out that our £614pm nursery fees are going to be more like £400pm for our pockets.....

I know it's possible your company doesn't do them but it doesn't cost them anything

What if your employer doesn't offer a scheme? Providing childcare vouchers shouldn't cost your employer any money. In fact as they don't pay national insurance on the vouchers, it actually makes them serious money - £100s per employee!