Anyone keep kids in their house - ThinnerTimes

Bmuscial · 02-21-2008, 11:08 AM

Since my surgery last week i have been staying home recovering and i have really enjoyed it. Not to mention the fact that they are giving me alot of shit at work about when i am coming back even though i am under a doc care. So, i was thinking about staying at home and looking into to keeping a few children in my home and being here for my children. I sat my husband down and talked to him about it and we can afford it. My questions are did anyone or does anyone else do this. How many kids do you keep. How much do you charge. Any advice would be great. I still have a couple of weeks to think about it so i am checking it out.

Vim&Vigour · 02-21-2008, 11:23 AM

Hello Kasey,
I'm in the UK so things may be a little different but in essence, the effort and set up are probably the same.

Here, if you are going to be a "registered childminder" you need to have first aid skills and a police check (a verification that you have no criminal record or are banned from involvement with children etc).
I looked after babies aged 8 weeks to 10 months and also toddlers whilst their nurse parents were working night shifts. That worked pretty well for me inasmuch as I did not usually go to bed until past midnight. Either mother or father dropped/picked up the child at 5pm and came back 12:45. They earned better salaries, the babies were asleep quite a bit (in my home), I was at home for my own kids anyway and could spend a good deal of the evening undisturbed, with my husband. I had three different sets of parents from the nearby hospital, all working shifts, so only occasionally had baby overlaps.
Good luck!
Go for it! You will feel you are contributing to your own children at a really important stage in their lives! The pay worked out roughly the same for me: by the time I had paid my commuting expenses, my au-pair, office food, extras, I found that I was in charge of my own kids, the au-pair expenses were no longer needed and as my earnings were lower, so were my taxes as well.

Keep us updated on your decision!
Cheers!
Vim

desmccoy · 02-24-2008, 03:33 PM

In the state of Maine you do not need to be Liscenced but you can not have more then two children in your home. You should be First Aid CPR certified. Its up to the parents rather they do Back ground Checks or not on you. I keep my children plus I just picked up a Neighbors little boy.