Is this childminder suitable

[howoapproachthis]

please help me decide. dd 3 is to go 2 mornings a week from 9am, i visited the childminder with her and everything looks perfect and the lady is really lovely. there are 2 things i am concerned about which i didn't think of at the time.
dd is to start preschool at 12.20. the childminder goes out every morning to a toddler group from 10 to 12. firstly, she wouldn't get a proper lunch, as the childminder has lunch after 12.15. dd would get a snack (toast) and then another snack (similar - pancake or toast) at preschool. i pick her up at 3. i think thats too long without her getting something proper to eat - i could send a lunch box with her to eat at the mums and tots group, but will this be ok? she is very fussy and the only thing i can think of that i can send is boiled eggs, raisins and yoghurt.
the other issue i have is that dd is only going to be at the childminders house for an hour each day she is there, then she goes out to a different group. dd likes routine, she doesn't like change, and she becomes fearful at new experiences. im worried that its all going to be a bit much for her, going to the house, going to a new group, then going to another new group the following day, with someone other than me. the past few months she has been so so clingy for me, im very worried about this. i would prefer her to stay at the ladys house for the morning, but i know its good for them all to get out. any thoughts? aside from these issues i really am happy with everything, im just very worried about my little girl at the minute. should i have another look around or let her settle in and see how it goes.

[LuckyLopez]

What about keeping her with the cm all day? Then it's much less change, she'll attach to one person and get a proper lunch :-)

[Brandysnapper]

If she misses preschool though she needs to pay a fair bit more, and the child doesn't get whatever educational experiences they are offering..

[howoapproachthis]

i can't really afford it, and i think if you get a preschool place you have to take it.

[LuckyLopez]

Your answer Brandysnapper shows exactly why CMs struggle to hold a professionally position in this country.

Many CM's are also able to accept 15 hrs EYEE and early years settings follow the same curriculum meaning the educational experience will be equal. CMs plan, observe, assess and teach in the same way only in a smaller more intimate setting which sounds perfect for the OPs daughter.

[LuckyLopez]

*professional

[LuckyLopez]

Of course you don't have to take it

It's a shame finances dictate the best decision for your child though.

[Purplehonesty]

I have sent you a PM

[Purplehonesty]

Lucky that's a bit unfair. If she can't afford it then what else can she do. She can look for any other cm who doesn't need to go to a toddler group every day

[IAmAPaleontologist]

You don't have to take the preschool place, nobody HAS to go to preschool. You could ask the cm of she does the 15hrs and if dd could stay all day?

Or you accept the way she does things. Or you see if there is a different cm.

But most good cm will be going out to toddler groups etc, can you imagine staying in the house every day with a gaggle of preschoolers? They go out, experience things, take trips sometimes, socialise. It is tricky. perhaps if your dd isn't comfortable in that sort of setting then no, the cm isn't suitable.

of if you go ahead could dd be dropped a little later at preschool?

[Brandysnapper]

Lucky I have an excellent cm who I was very fortunate to find. She takes dcs off to nursery every day. I know of no cm in Scotland who have to follow the 3-18 curriculum, but obviously I accept I do not know every childminder!
You are looking for insult I think where none was given.

[fattymcfatfat]

in england they follow the EYFS (early years foundation stage) so the curriculum from birth to 5 with child led learning

[howoapproachthis]

Its not that i want her sitting in all the time. but our routine at home is that we do actually stay in most of the time because i find that dd needs a rest before preschool. preschool seems to be enough for her at this time, interaction and processing social groups etc seems to take it out of her. going to the park is different - she would quite happily go outside for a couple of hours, but i am worried it will be too much for her going from one group to another without any time to rest. i do not expect other kids to stay in, and other families to do what i think is best for my child, and thats why im asking is it suitable for me. thats why there is a choice of childminders and childcare so that we can do whats best for our child. im just trying to get different opinions and weigh things up.

[howoapproachthis]

going to prechool later after lunch is a good idea, if i did decide to go with it. that would solve one of the problems.

[Brandysnapper]

OP, is there a preschool that would offer a morning session instead? Most toddler groups tend to be in the morning, so you'd probably find that she would be in more (or out with just the mindees) in the afternoon.

[Umbrelladilemma]

If you daughter is already settled at the preschool then I would try to stick with that. However, I would perhaps not send her for those 2 days per week for the first week, so that she can get used to the CM and her routine without the rushing around. Pre-school should understand and if not just say she's ill for a couple of days.

I'd also ask the childminder if she could leave the toddler groups early, say 11.30 instead of 12, for the first couple of weeks when she needs to get DD to preschool afterwards. IME you don't HAVE to stay until the toddler group finishes - you may miss a bit of tidying up and singing but it's only for 2 days each week. Maybe she could do this until the Easter hols then after Easter it should be warm enough for them all to have a picnic lunch on the way to preschool??

[howoapproachthis]

morning session not an option unfortunately. although this september i am hoping for a morning session, that way if the childminder is already in place it will workout.

maybe the childminder could leave the group a little early, and start preschool a little later. also, the idea of leaving the preschool the first couple of weeks for those 2 days until dd gets used to the childminder is a really great idea - excellent, thanks.