Issues with Childminder

[SP8849]

My child has been going to a childminder twice a week for 3.5hrs a time. He started at 10 months, he’s now 13 months. However, for the past month, every time I’ve collected him, she has moaned about how unsettled he is. At the start of the month she said he was screaming a lot which scared the other children. The other children are 2/3 years. She explained if he done it again I’d have to collect him early as it’s scaring the children& she doesn’t want him upsetting the new children starting. She then suggested to change his days to a more quieter time. 4 weeks on, it seems as if she doesn’t want him there. There’s no positive conversation. He doesn’t do this when left with anyone else or even myself. He’s very independent& will happily play on his own.

Any idea what I should do? I’m thinking of removing him as it’s depressing listening to her at picking up time. He’s more than happy at drop of& pick up. He will nap/eat& drink there so he can’t be distressed any advice please?

[Louise91417]

I would find another childminder. It is strange that he doesnt do this anywhere else. Could it be that childminder wants his space freed up to allocate to someone else? Whatever the reason it isnt nice to be hearing this negativity and it cant be helping ds to be in an enviroment like this.

[Louise91417]

Also, what 10-13month child doesnt scream and i find it hard to believe 2/3yr olds are scared..

[SP8849]

@Louise9147

I have spoken to a few people& they think she just wants an easy life. All the other children play with eachother, will sit& do an activity ect. My son likes to explore, he won’t sit for a while doing one thing. He’s happy to do bits& bobs on his own but not for a long period.

I know she’s got a lot of business. She’s just taken a few new children on. It’s a shame, as he seems to enjoy it but I’d rather have someone that wants/enjoys him.

[SP8849]

@Louise91417

Exactly! They scream, shout ect it’s the way they communicate. One shouts then the others join in! I’d be worried if kids of that age didn’t make any noise.

[PotterHead1985]

Yea I think she wants an easier time of it. You say all the other children are 2-3. Your son is younger. He obviously requires more work - not a judgement on your son at all, all kids that age will need more work, more minding, eyes on etc. She wants to plonk the kids with an activity and not have to bother with them. She sounds like a shit childminder all round (Id be pissed if I was a parent of the older kids too). I would move him.

[SP8849]

@PotterHead1985 I totally agree with you. I’m going to speak with her today. She will want 6 weeks notice so I’ll have to get that in ASAP.

[Apple40]

Hi, is there anyway you can increase his hours with her instead as this should help him settle better 3.5 hours a day is a very short time and in my experience takes ages for children this young to settle especially only doing so few hours. Before giving notice I would check you can find another minder who will offer those hours, as most minders I know will only offer minimum of 7/8 hours a day.

[Chrissyho]

I would immediately find alternatively childcare. Seems like she doesn't want him there, so I would not trust her to look after him from this point on. Maybe realised that she has it easier with older children and wants to get rid of the babies?

[SMaCM]

Normally I'd give suggestions for making it work, but this doesn't sound like a good fit for your son. Maybe she's realised older children are easier. You can ask her if she'd be happy to take a shorter notice period, as she seems keen to move on.

[Em2122]

Maybe she can look after more older children at the same time and therefore earn more money