Childminding can be a demanding job but it can also be incredibly rewarding. I love being a childminder. Here are some of my reasons why:
I love the flexibility the role gives you. You can chose the days and hours you want to work. True, if you decide you only want to work Tuesdays from 9 am to 3pm it may take you longer to fill your spaces and you will not make as much money, but that is a fairly extreme example! Lots of childminders I know work four days a week, some work term time only and the occasional person offers spaces at the weekend too.
I love that it has enabled me to be there for my own children. I started when my children were just toddlers themselves and even now, when they are much more grown up I still find it immensely valuable to be at home when they come back from school.
I love the fact that I become a special person in so many children’s lives. I am their special ‘Jenny,’ (a title no-one else holds!) The children become part of one big happy family which I think is a lovely way to spend the first years of your life in childcare.
I love the fact that I can use my imagination and be a bit silly. Children tend to not blink twice if you decide to act like a dinosaur and will often join in. Try that in an office job, and at the very least you will get some odd looks!
I love the fact that I have been able to gain new qualifications while working and looking after my own children. Being a childminder has enabled me to gain qualifications in things like childcare, special needs and food hygiene.
I love how being a childminder helps me feel like part of the community. People tend to notice if you have a gaggle of children following you when you are out and about and we often get compliments about how cute and well behaved they are as well as people showing interest in the activities we are doing.
I feature in Twinkl’s Thinking of becoming a Childminder or Nanny?
Here are some reasons other people love being a childminder:
‘A job where you get to smile everyday. Every day you get to smile, as one of the children does or says something cute which makes you smile. I keep what I call a happy book so I don’t forget them. For example, me, “Oh look, it’s a bus!” Child “Why is Father Christmas Driving?” (The driver had a beard!)’ Wendy Morris
‘Watching children blossom right in front of my eyes.’ Donna Thomline
‘Being able to have the freedom to tailor the days to the kids you have or to your needs. Today they wanted to go to the park … so we went to the park. Last week a little one needed a snuggly day …so we had a snuggly day not doing much.’ Janet Dickinson
‘To be able to play with the children and enjoy it, (I am 62 years young), the freedom it gives you to go places or stay in, watching the children grow into young adults and still getting a knock on the door to say hello. The bonds we create with not just the children but their families x’ Alison Townsend
‘After 35 years I am still loving the relationships we build, the guidance we give and the love we all share. I just love our families and our job!! They grow through friendships made and play!’ Christine McGahey
‘The freedom to not stick to a timetable. If our kids want to go play in the sand in the rain they can or go on a mini beast hunt in the woods.’ Sarah Leete
‘I love the hugs I’m given as I walk through the school yard from children that left years ago 
‘One of the things I liked about being a childminder, back in the day, was being able to work from home and be there for my own children as well as for others.’ Ruth Snowden
‘Every time they master a new skill it makes me incredibly proud 
‘Having a happy environment to work in! And at the same time, being able to watch my own children thrive at home!‘ Giovanna Martinez
‘Bumping in to children I helped to educate as functional lovely teens or young adults!!! I bumped in to one last week on my local Starbucks doing summer jobs! Polite and smiley! I felt proud!’ Giovanna Martinez
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