There have been many times this has been my setting, but the very first time was the worst. I genuinely worried about the rent, the bills and what it meant for my business.
I thought I had done everything right. I’d put up a flyer in the village shop, talked to the people at the playgroup and the park, been seen around with the children, chatted to locals. I had a Facebook page and updated it regularly with our outings and adventures. I’d updated my profile with the local authority and my profile on Childcare.co.uk, and not one phone call, email or DM.
I didn’t know what I had done wrong and, more importantly, I had no idea what I was going to do. My setting would reopen in three days and there was no one new to fill the space.
I had to have a really awkward conversation with my husband about money, and let me tell you that was hideous. I felt like a failure. I HATE asking for money. I am fiercely independent, and whilst we are a team in almost everything we do and he couldn’t be more supportive, helpful and lovely, I don’t like asking for money. It feels wrong on so many levels! He was of course calm and considerate and transferred money to my bank without any fuss, but that didn’t stop the worry.
Why weren’t people coming? Did I have a bad reputation? Did no one want a childminder? I knew there were babies, I had seen them when I was out and about. I fretted and worried and still no one came.
So I got back into my groove at work. We were busy on our adventures, the dynamics changed with just two children, and I wasn’t quite as tired of a night after work. I was still doing 6am to 6pm, five days a week, but it felt lighter in some ways.
We were on that slope to Christmas. September whizzed by with conkers, October flew in a blur of pumpkins and potions, and November was here with sparklers and poppies. Somewhere amongst all of those days I filled my spaces for January. I honestly don’t even remember how or when. I just remember sitting down one November evening after the fireworks and saying, it’s going to get busy after Christmas, I need to enjoy this quiet time. Two babies were coming.
What did I do differently, I hear you ask? Where did they come from? Honestly, I have no idea. One was an email and the other was a chance meeting at the park and a nice little conversation.
As the years have passed there have been many Septembers where I don’t have the numbers, but they don’t worry me now. I know it’s a bit like buses and they all come together. I try to plan and set things up to fall into place, and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but I don’t get that desperate feeling any more. I don’t feel like my business is dying, and I rarely have to ask for money. I have an emergency pot (but that’s another post!).
I protect this quiet time and enjoy the slower pace and the extra space, and I relax knowing that they will come when it’s right.
Sometimes you are meant to fill your childminder spaces right now, and sometimes you are not!
Claire x