Cm's what have you learnt wtih time

That you should be ready for anything - absolutley anything!

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Tanith - I love that :). It might even end up on my playroom wall.

Hmm! How have I changed in the years I've been minding...

Well, I've changed beyond all recognition: I now resemble something off Doctor Who or Star Wars.

I have large bat-ears for hearing whispers of mischief and unnatural silences.
I have two sharp eagle-eyes for spotting small objects that could be swallowed and precious toys that have been lost. I have a third eye that is blind: it's turned for petty squabbles and tales. I have an extra pair in the back of my head.

My hair is rough and stands on end where I pulling it out in times of stress like OFSTED visits and dealing with the County Council on the phone.
I have sharp teeth that are bared for late-payers. Otherwise, they are hidden by a big smile.
I speak in tongues: Babytalk, Gobbledegook, Fish and Bubbles.

I have large, flat feet for keeping me firmly on the ground.
I have extra long arms - 2 pairs - for cuddling children, catching falling objects, hauling back children from danger, often at the same time. They never drag on the ground - much too busy for that!

I have 2 hearts: one of gold for the kids and one of lead for paperwork and OFSTED inspections.

I can shape-shift at will. I can change into a gentle lamb for upset children. I can change into a growly bear for misbehaviour. It doesn't always have the desired effect, though: "Auntie, turn into a growly bear, please - you're funny!"
Maybe I should keep the growly bear shape and threaten to change back into myself - now that'd really show 'em!

I have learnt that it's no use buying a cheap duoble pushchair when a couple of years down the line your knees ache, your back creaks and your arms protest at every step up and down the steep hilly area that you live. It is much easier to buy a more expensive pushchair that is as light as a feather to push. I love my new double pushchair

new2cm, you can ask me anything anytime. I dont bite.

tigersmum

I do sympathise. I had offered my opinion and support, but I got it chucked back. I was only trying to be friendly and provide comfort to another childminder, but apparently I was giving the wrong advice and the wrong type of support.

I have backed off now and I don't offer any advice or opinion, although I listen and read a lot. One drawback is that I am now a little nervous about asking for advice in case I get my head bitten off again!

New2cm, I am the one offering advice and support and being taken for a mug. Well no more, I am going it alone from now on so lets see how they get on without me. Of course that dosnt go for all the people I have helped on here, any help ask away.

Good Thread.

Say NO when you feel you must and don't say yes because you feel obligated to.

Keep a professional distance from parents - it can get messy otherwise

Don't let your parents take you for granted.

Be kind to your child(ren) during long, busy summer holidays because they feel the strain, too

Take leave and don't apologise for doing so!

And Grow a Pair when you are planning to tell your parents that you are no longer available on Wednesday afternoons because you are going to university to further your education [nervous twit] [better do it soon]

Do not buy resources at full-price (ie from shops) unless you really have to, you can pick up some excellent toys at car boot sales etc, just make sure they are safe to use.

Never EVER lose sight of the fact that your family need you, and they will need you to themselves sometimes rather than being shared - this goes for your own children AND your partner, they will both hate getting less attention than your mindees at times - childminding is just a job, family is everything.

It's weird seeing it from the other side. As a mum I always pay on the day and I always pay cash. But in return I got help when on the one occasion in four years when I got stuck on a closed motorway and all the mobile signals were busy so I couldn't even call. Nightmare.

I was lucky, my lovely childminder keeps an eye on the traffic reports, realised I was probably stuck and rang my DP, explained and lent him an extra carseat to get DS home.

My CM is a genius.

Get to know the other childminder before asking them for help, advice and support. I got flamed by one for saying something that she did not agree with. She said that I was entitled to my opinion but I "should not express it." Thanks for the support, I thought. I'm pleased to say that I have met many other kinder and more understanding childminders, who have a little more tact in dealing with a newbie like me.

I have been in this job for less than a year (and it probably shows) but the "never trust fellow childminders" comment made me smile.

I would like to think that other childminders can trust me....

Thank you for this thread - it's good to read all the lessons learnt.

Oh of course. I have nice friends on here and not nice friends in RL. Well some are nice and some are not but how can you tell them apart? If anyone has a fool proof way of not getting taken as a mug by so called friends please do tell.

love this thread (the body directed me to it, thanks :) I am reading, digesting and learning. )
tigersmum , I hope there is an exception to that ...ie. MNer CMs ?!?!

Never trust fellow childminders.

totally agree with every thing lollipopmother just posted.. read, digest and learn...

I have not yet been bitten with the no-paying issue but I do have late payers and it is extremely frustrating, I have learned that for my next contract I will be making sure it mentions a late payment fee and I will use it.

I have learned to be selective with who I take on - go with my gut instinct and turn away anyone that doesn't fit with what I need, don't go mental trying to fit everyone in as it's not worth the extra hassle.

I used to do weekends, I don't now but I may return to it if I found the right mindee (baby rather than school-age kids)

I've formed the opinion that I prefer looking after younger kids to school-age kids (and I'm not ashamed to say it - I was before!) and I keep this in mind when people contact me. When looking after schoolies i'd now make sure they are the only ones I look after, I find it difficult to find activities that a wide age-gap enjoy and I feel too stretched iykwim.

I have learned to KEEP ON TOP OF PAPERWORK, having a mad dash to get everything done for inspection day is just not worth it!

I make sure that I organise at least one activity a day that I enjoy being a part of, this means I can really get involved with the kids, then we all enjoy our day and we're a better unit for it. Obviously all the other activities are strictly with the kids development needs/stages/enjoyment in mind!

I now try to sing songs/nursery rhymes every morning as it makes everyone feel part of the group and of course, has a lot of EYFS benefits.

brilliant thread.. although most posters obviously love the job there are some bloody bad payers out there arnt there, nearly everyone said get paid in advance.. all been bitten that way I think..

This is a really possitive thread and has enforced my reasoning for registering.

Thanks Guys x

i have been a registered childminder for 4yrs and i have learned -

how to say NO

i {now} ALWAYS get paid in advance

i know this is going to sound negative but the biggest thing i've learned is that childminding is not reliable work - just when you are comfortable and things are going swimmingly - something can come along and rock the boat - for example one mindee's parent may lose their job and then you are looking for a mindee to fill a particular spot.

i've also learnt to keep a professional distance from parents.

on a positive note - i have learned that it can be a fantastic fun job

in the past 20 years I?ve learnt:
to appreciate the good times and not to dwell with bad times.
that most parents are lovely people.
that happy children mean happy parents.
that parents lead busy lives and want childcare kept simple.
I?ve learnt how to be assertive, I can say ?no?.
never take on a family if I have doubts- because it is important that I enjoy my job and there is always another (probably better) childminder somewhere that will take it on.
that being the best childminder I can be is very important to me.
you can never be complacent in this job.
that strong policies are important, and being able to enforce them is possible- but not always pleasant.
that policies must be reviewed often if they are to remain effective.
never take on a child without a full contract and all the paperwork in place.
I?ve learnt that a small number of parents can not identify their childs need for warm clothing on a cold day, waterproof shoes on a wet day or cover their childs shoulders/head on a summers day, but can always remember to put their makeup on and wear appropriate clothing themselves.

I?ve learnt that I hate: bad time keepers, and late payers, and people who plead poverty when they clearly are not living below the breadline.