Home ed and childminding

[ScariestFairyByFar]

I'm currently a lone parent with a 2 yo dd. My current plan is to set up as a childminder with a Montesorri/outdoor learning slant. I'm wondering if you can combine home ed with childminding? I'm in Scotland if that makes a difference?

[ommmward]

I know several people who do it, very successfully :-)

[morethanpotatoprints]

I think the two will go hand in hand and also with you having the education possibility for your mindess, I would imagine you will be in much demand.
As for your own dc if you are planning to H.ed throughout school years you will be able to adapt to more advanced learning opportunities when your child id older than your typical mindees.
I think its a good idea, and wish you luck.

[maggi]

Hello

I do both HE and childminding. It works for us. My mindees are not HE families (though I have had 2 enquiries from HE people recently). My ds is 13 and hangs around with me and has often chosen to help out with the mindees but I don't ask him to. He has gained fantastic childcare skills from this.
The day is long,- I set work when I get up at 6, he starts it at 7.30 and does his formal study whilst I do the school runs (Dad does nights so is in the house while I'm out). Then he comes out with me and the toddlers, we are back for lunch and sleeps. He will then do any further work or watch a relevent documentary etc. I don't finish work until 6 and sometimes do overnights so there is not much time to do work in the eves. At 6 we all do housework. We are in a HE group but don't get much opportunity to do all their activities as I have to be at school or they are not age suitable for everyone.

If you don't know anyone who childminds - the hours are long for little money (much less than basic wage when you calculate all the extra hours for cleaning and training etc). Your carpets, walls and doorways will quickly be beaten and wrecked. You can be lonely. The job must come first and the parents will ask for various routines to be followed with babies which could tie you to the house (or at least a cot). Each parent will expect you to put the welfare of their child first and this could mean everyone leaving the beach 10 mins after you arrive because little Freedy has wet himself and the spare clothes are half a mile away in the car (I can't carry absolutely everything) if it was my child I'd clean them up and make do somehow. It is only a career for you, if you are patient and completely devoted to children (it's easy to be devoted to your own - we are talking about children from any background).

I love being a childminder. But I have seen some bad ones out there where people are doing it only because it is convenient.

[maggi]

Sorry forgot to mention ....PAPERWORK...it hangs over your evr waking moment

[sparklystar27]

Whereabouts in Scotland?!!! Please tell me youre near me?!

[ScariestFairyByFar]

Near Stirling where are you Sparkly?