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The everyday adventure of being a childminder

Working from home and beyond

A childminder works in their own home and the children come to you. Yay, no more commute!

But you’re not stuck in all day – far from it. You will be out and about enjoying your local area and using the natural environment as the richest possible learning space for young minds.

The key ingredients to having a successful day as a childminder

Space to learn

You need 3.5 square metres for each child you care for so often a modest home is big enough.

More important, is how you set up your home to make it a wonderful place for children to play and learn. We’ll advise you on making your home a beautiful environment that families will love.

Rhythm and routine

Young children love routine and so your days will follow a similar pattern. Out in the morning, back for lunch and naps. An afternoon activity and cosy cuddles and stories at home time.

But the places you go, the stories you’ll read and the games you play will take you – and your children – on a different adventure everyday. And with kids around there’s never a dull moment.

Fresh air

Outdoor learning is an incredible way to support children along the EYFS framework and parents will love it! 

A typical day as a childminder

  • 8am – Welcoming your children into your space with a smile.
  • 9am – Puddle suits on, we’re off to the woods.
  • 10am – Learning about shapes by making a square from sticks with Ivo and a triangle with Milly.
  • 11am – Walk home via the supermarket to choose the fruit that goes with lunch and learn about money.
  • 12 noon – Tucking into pasta with your little family round the table. Dodging a rogue bit of thrown tomato.
  • 1pm – Jigsaws with Milly while the little ones snooze.
  • 2pm – Making and selling (play-dough) ice creams in the coolest new pop-up in town, which just happens to be in your living room.
  • 3pm – Bit of carrot chopping for tea whilst the children are deep in Duplo-land.
  • 4pm – Sharing a book (or six) whilst the children digest your best fish pie.
  • 5pm – Big cuddles goodbye. Tour with a new parent arranged by Koru Kids.
  • 6pm – Quick whizz round with the hoover whilst you think about tomorrow’s adventure.

You might be wondering

No. Your living room or kitchen/dining room is usually enough space to create a good learning environment for young children if set up the right way. We’ll talk you through any changes you’ll need to make.
They don’t need their own room but you will need space for the travel cots to be in a darkened area. Some people use their bedrooms – or their children’s bedrooms.
 
An outdoor space at home is a big bonus as it’s very appealing to parents, but is not essential. You will take the children outdoors to your local green spaces each and every day and so your children won’t miss out on their outdoor learning.
Yes. Although some childminders find it hard work doing the school run with three little ones in tow. Some find a friend to drop their own children back to them or you can hire a Koru Kids nanny as an assistant to pick your children up and it allows you to have more children for the after school period – if your children affect your ratios.
Ofsted ratios allow you to look after three children under the age of 5, one of which can be under the age of 1. If you have your own child under 5 we’d recommend that you look after another two under 5s to keep your earnings around £24,000. We can help you take your career to the next level. By working with an assistant to look after 6 younger children full-time you could expect to earn up to £67,000 after fees and costs. We guide you every step of the way.
We advise our childminders to open their home nursery at least 4 days a week and focus on younger children who often need full-time care. We recommend you open something along the lines of 8am-6pm to meet parent demand. We require parents to cover 4 weeks of paid holiday for you per year (after all, it’s important to have a break!).

Get more information at our Help Centre