Helen's Childminding Eston

Please, please sign the petition and share to raise awareness. This could genuinely mean many more childminders leaving the profession and let’s face it high quality childcare can be hard enough to find as it is!

Like many small business owners I'll have to move to making tax digital this April. Unlike most small business owners this will mean the loss of a long-standing agreement between HMRC and childminders meaning that we can no longer take advantage of the 10% deduction in our earnings to allow for wear and tear on our properties (our HOMES!!)

Now the logical side of me sees the rationale behind this decision. It brings us in line with other self employed people after all. Except that it really doesn't. I can't think of any other self employed sector who has 26 families in and out of their home for 50 hours every week. That's almost thirty children under ten years old. Potty training children who wee (and worse) on flooring. Children who become unexpectedly unwell and puke on sofas. Children with undiagnosed SEN needs (because getting them diagnosed is another neverending struggle) who unintentionally break equipment. Children who accidentally fall and pull sinks off walls (true story). Non walking babies who need to be transported in double pushchairs that ruin skirting boards. Energetic children who wear out lawns and garden surfaces. ALL children who deserve rich, sensory experiences that inevitably cause mess. Staff who deserve a comfortable environment to take rest breaks. Then behind it all, a bloody exhausted registered childminder who works that 50 hour week directly with children, then, alongside her husband, puts in at least another ten in cleaning and maintenance.

For the first time since starting this business 11 years ago I would say; "thinking of becoming a childminder? Don't do it." As a long time mentor of new childminders (both paid and voluntary), that breaks my heart.

I chose this life, I love it, it fulfils me and it supports four full time staff but for the love of children and the protection of parental choice when selecting childcare we must have more support for childminding as a profession.

Before it doesn't exist.

Please sign the petition if you feel compelled to help:

https://petition.parliament.uk/signatures/168655497/signed



Luke Myer MP - Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland

Full day spaces now available for immediate / September starts. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays available either term time only or all year round. All funding accepted.