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Original poster

what should my cm be doing?

35 replies

mankycat · 03/01/2011 20:49

my son has been going to his cm since he was 8 months, he is now 2 & 4 months. I took on more hours when he turned 2 and because my cm didn't work 4 days I sent him to nursery for one day.

He is doing so much more at nursery craft, painting, drawing forming friendships very quickly considering he is only there one day. At his cm he has brought home so much as a scribble. My friend has 3 under 3 at a cm and I noticed that she had handmade calenders, xmas cards which where done at her cm's. Should she be following some sort of curriculum? I would love to send him to nursery 4 days it would be 100 a month more expensive im paying £4.40 per hour and I provide food nappies etc. Im starting to feel that im just paying for a baby sitter. On the other hand she has been reliable not been off sick once since he has been going never let me down. Im going to contact the nursery to see if they can fit him in an extra day.

Has anyone had simular experience or have any good advice?

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StarExpat · 03/01/2011 21:07

xposts and by "it" at the end, I meant his day not the craft. :)

StarExpat · 03/01/2011 21:05

Actually, tootles, I thought cms followed EYFS. In fact, I know my cm does...

I thought it was a requirement. Confused

southeastra I agree you don't need something material from the child, but my DS does love bringing something home sometimes and very proudly showing it to us and trying to tell us about how he made it....etc (just a paper with stickers or drawings of circles, even, doesn't have to be fancy)... it often sparks memory from the rest of the day and he can tell us about what he enjoyed (we also use the photo that cm provides on his daily diary to help trigger conversation about it).

Rosebud05 · 03/01/2011 21:04

and relationship that you have too

Rosebud05 · 03/01/2011 21:03

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will be along to advise you about EYFS, record books, Ofsted etc, but I just wanted to say that tbh, I would evaluate your son's experience on the relationship he has with his childminder (and you have too) rather than what crafts he comes home with.

What does she say that they do together? When I used a childminder, she always briefly outlined their day when I picked my dd up.

LesbianMummy1 · 03/01/2011 21:02

your childminder should be using the early years foundation stage framework same as the nursery. There is statutory guidance and also a framework for guiding children's development through. Ask your cm if your son has a learning journey and to see what he has in there I do various activities with the children i care for but some do more than others as it is up to them if they want to participate in that activity.

StarExpat · 03/01/2011 21:02

My DS goes to a cm. He does crafts daily. He brings some home with him and delights in telling us "I made it!" He's 2 years 3 months.
He's learned the names of some shapes since being with her, gotten better with counting and concept of number, colours and loves the other mindees (and the cm, of course). I don't really see that he would be learning anything more at a nursery tbh. And she's never off sick.

southeastastra · 03/01/2011 21:01

well sorry but you sound as if you want something 'material' to show from your child who is only 2

Tootlesmummy · 03/01/2011 20:59

Manky CM's don't follow a curriculum but they do tend to do things with the children they look after. I think it is a difficult one as lots of parents prefer the CM set up due to the span of control being smaller and children are in a home from home environment. Those who send them to nursery like the reliability and also the fact it is sometimes more educational based.
I prefer the nursery set up and feel for my DS he is getting more from it.

Maybe speak to your CM to see if she can do more with you DS.

Original poster
mankycat · 03/01/2011 20:54

i asked for advice not some pathetic childish comment grow up

OP posts:
southeastastra · 03/01/2011 20:51

wow did a 2 year old homemake a calendar! talented