Creating The Right Image

However you choose to run your business, whether you decide to work part time or full time, with another childminder or alone, is entirely up to you. However, one thing all childminders must do if they are to succeed is to portray a professional image at all times.

You are an individual who is trained in caring for children. You have specialised knowledge in all aspects of how children develop and learn and you are competent in providing stimulating activities in a safe and secure environment. Your business, and the image you give to others, should show this professionalism at all times. You are entitled to respect from the adults and the children you are providing a service for and, likewise, you must show respect in return.

You will have worked hard to get your business up and running and may have gone through many months of training and preparation waiting for your registration to go through. It is essential that you do yourself justice once you are ready to launch your business.

Ten Tips For Creating The Right Image

Deciding On The Kind Of Service To Provide

This may seem relatively easy but there are many different things you must take into consideration when deciding on the kind of childminding service you are going to provide. It is probably best to sit down and discuss this aspect of the business with your own partner, children or anyone else who may be affected by your duties. Think about the following points:

• Are you going to work part time or full time?

 

• Are you going to work weekdays and/or weekends?

 

• Are you going to work bank holidays?

 

• What are your core hours likely to be?

 

• Are you willing to cover early mornings or late evenings?

 

The previous questions will not only be dependent on your own preference, but probably on your family commitments as well. Is it practical to work until 7pm if you have children of your own who need to be taken to clubs or activities during that time? Does agreeing to work weekends and/or antisocial hours conflict with the time you wish to spend with your own family?

Others factors you will need to consider are:

• Are you willing to take and collect children from playgroup, nursery and school?

 

• If so, which nursery, playgroup and schools are you going to concentrate on? This will have a big effect when advertising your business.

 

• Are you willing to care for older children?

 

• Are you prepared to look after babies?

 

• Do you want to work term time only or are you willing to provide school holiday care?

 

• What type of meals are you willing to provide?

 

• What type of activities and learning experiences are you able to provide, and for what age group?

 

Knowing Your Limits

You need to answer all these questions as accurately as possible. I cannot stress enough how important it is not to agree to something unless you are completely satisfied with the arrangement yourself.

Once you have signed a contract and agreed to provide a service for the parent you will be obliged to stick to the arrangement until the contract is renewed or changes agreed. It is not a good idea to fill a place by making promises that you will have difficulty keeping; it will result in resentment and dissatisfied customers, both of which must be avoided at all costs.

A parent may approach you to request a one-off change to the usual conditions of their contract; for example an early morning start or late evening finish due to work commitments, and it is important that if you agree to this change, you stress that it is an exception to the contract and that you can’t do it on a regular basis.

Remember, always be clear in your own mind what your limitations are and try to stick to them at all times. If you are not willing or able to do something don’t agree to it!

It is worth bearing in mind that parents can and will put you on the spot from time to time. They may request something that you feel obliged to agree to but, after thinking about it later, you are unable to carry through. In cases like this it is best to refrain from agreeing to anything immediately but say that you will give it consideration.

This way you will have the time to work out whether their request is a reasonable one and whether you can fit it around your existing obligations and family commitments. It is important to be assertive whilst remaining polite and helpful. It will not do you any favours to be inflexible and awkward but it will breed bitterness and resentment if you feel your good nature is being taken advantage of.