Summary
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What is the role of the childminder?
Relay the parents
When the parents are at work, the childminder takes over.
When she works from home, she can look after up to 3 children.
His day is full of toilets, meals, outings and games.
It offers different activities to the child while ensuring his safety.
His work is done in close collaboration with the parents: communication is essential.
Promote child development
The maternal assistant takes care of small children, aged 0 to 3 years. It promotes their development and language learning through early learning games. She offers them suitable activities and observes their progress day after day.
How much does a childminder earn?
The remuneration of the independent childminder is negotiated with the families. However, each hour of work must be paid at least €2.68 gross (January 2014) per child. The salary at the end of the month then depends on the number of hours worked and the number of children cared for.
If she is employed by a crèche, her hourly remuneration is at the level of the minimum wage: €9.53 gross per hour on 1 January 2014.
What are his working conditions?
Opportunities on the rise
This profession offers real job prospects. The need for childcare is still very important while many childminders will be retiring in the years to come.
Work from home or in a nursery
Often, the childminder works from home. She can also be hired by a crèche or an association. His schedules adapt to the working days of the parents.
Day or permanent reception
Most childminders provide day care corresponding to the professional constraints of the parents.
However, some childminders are given permanent care of children whose families are in difficulty. They watch over the child day and night.
Become a childminder
Mandatory approval
Specific training, twice 60 hours, is mandatory.
The first 60 hours worked, the childminder asks for approval from the departmental services of Maternal and Child Protection (PMI).
This approval, granted for 5 years renewable, certifies the good reception conditions and skills of the candidate.
The childminder then has 2 years to complete her training.
What qualities are you looking for?
Moral and educational responsibility
Guarantor of the child’s safety, the childminder must have a great sense of responsibility. She strives to provide a clean and safe environment. Attentive to the behavior of the child, she reports to the parents on the past day.
Patient and affectionate
It takes a lot of patience and gentleness to work with toddlers. The childminder must be available and create an emotional relationship with the child.
Autonomous
The childminder who works at home is often isolated and little followed. It is therefore essential that she be autonomous in the exercise of her profession.
To know more ?
Contact the National Professional Union of Childminders on 04 94 76 70 23.
Content updated on 06/06/2012
Our tips:
If you have a CAP in early childhood or a childcare assistant diploma, you are exempt from childminder training.