pre-school or childminder?

[ivet83]

hi guys,one question only.if your child is looked after by a childminder would it miss the pre-school?i guess what i am asking is if i am a childminder does my child need to go to pre-school to be ready for mrimary or my qualifications are enough to teach her the same things.

[SqueakyCat]

As some CMs can accept the preschool funding grant for children over 3, I assume that means that the CMs can offer the same 'curriculum'.

However, I would wonder whether there are somethings that a preschool could offer ('school-type' environment, more structure, more children the same age) that would be harder for a CM, and much harder if they are your own child (e.g. taught by someone not your parent!).

Would you be able to claim the grant funding for your own child?

While my DS does learn some stuff at preschool, I feel he mainly learns about managing in a different environment, learning from and with other people and socialising.

There is no requirement for children to go to preschool at all, whether you are CM or not, so if you feel that you are his best teacher and he would be better not to go, just don't send him.

Clearly, he will spend far more time with you than he would in preschool, and you will teach him everything you can anyway, whether or not he goes to preschool (I mean - he won't learn any less form you for being at preschool for a few hours).

[nzshar]

Ahhhh ivet83 I have been asking the same thing of myself. I am a qualified NNEB childminder and have a 20 month old ds. Have been thinking about it a lot lately whether to put his name down at the local pre school. Have decided to put his name down and see what he is like when the time comes for him to go ....which will probably be Jan 2007.
I know i can teach him all that he needs to know before school. But as SqueakyCat says its also about learning to be in a different environment and being with peers his own age which will not occur to an extent at home, even as a childminder I will only ever have 1 maybe 2 other children.
Sorry dont think i have helped much

[ivet83]

thanks to both of you .i am thinking of registering as a childminder well not sure yet but considering it.and as a childminder i will train to do things with the children that they would in a nursery or pre-school am i right?but having in mind that the pre-school is only for 2,3 hours a day and if i am at home looking after other kids how will i take her and pick her up it's just two hours she needs to be there i think it might be a lot of hussle(sorry if it sounds bad but...)

[nzshar]

It all depends on how far away the pre school is , whether you will be able to walk it or have to use the car etc etc.

Though if you are thinking of becoming a childminder many parents ask you to do a nursery drop off and pick up etc and you will be limiting yourself if you dont take these children. But ultimately it is up to you

[ivet83]

sorry guys something just triggered my attention.why is everyone writing DD when they talk about their kids?what does DD or Ds mean?i should probably know this,right?

[nzshar]

darling/dear daughter = dd
darling/dear son = ds

[ivet83]

ok i would have never thought of this.thanks

[ivet83]

nzshar-is NNEB the highest qualification u can get in childminding.i know about the Certificate in childminding which consists of three courses and then u are approved with the assosiation.then i know that u can take NVQ 3 early years and education but NNEB i don't know about.

[ivet83]

how long have u been a childminder and how is it?do you find it hard or u enjoy it?i have a daughter who is 8 months old and i'll be moving house soon and thinking to start studying now to become a childminder.any advice?

[rarrie]

Just to add, that there is a lot of research to suggest that children who attend preschool tend to be more ready for school at 5. Most of my friends who teach primary also say that often you can tell the difference between those children who have attended preschool and those who haven't. Its not just the 'educational' side of things, its all the social elements too; working in big groups, turn taking, the expectations of a stricter routine and so on. Whilst a childminder can offer some of these, I think it would be difficult to 'replicate' school in the same way that a preschool does.

[Jensmum]

I think NNEB is more nursery based than childminding but I could be wrong.

The certificate in childminding is changing, I know that before it changed you could use alot from it to go on and do NVQ level 3 as you build up alot of unpinning knowledge. You can also do NCMA's quality first, and local councils run loads of courses and workshops to further you.

If you want more information post in the childminders and nannies topic there's loads of childminders on there that know alot more than me

HTH

[nzshar]

NNEB is a nursery nurse qualification...some say NVQ3 in childcare eqivilant ...i do not. I worked in childrens nurseries for 13 years before i had my ds.

I have yet to get my certificate through to do chilminding...should be getting it in the post any day now. So maybe on some of the things i am not the best person to ask.

[alibubbles]

Message withdrawn

[justmummy]

Hi my DD goes to a childminder 2 days a week and also goes to pre-school every morning. CM takes her and picks her up on days I work.
I felt she needed to get used to being in a big group to prepare her for being in a class at school.
In my experience being with a childminder is a substitute for being at home. I wouldn't compare it to a pre-school which has a totally different structure.