Hi there,
I've been having problems with my childminder that are escalating rapidly and I'd like some advice. I'm doubting sanity and wondering if I'm being too sensitive/picky?? Any advice will be gladly accepted.
problem 1. I give my childminder a packed lunch for my child and she only gives her a sandwich and banana every day. If I put anything else in (yoghurt, breadsticks, dried fruit etc) it just comes back in her bag. So from half 8 'til half 5 my DD only gets a sandwich and banana, no snacks, nothing. She gets a drink bottle from me in the morning and only half is drunk (half a toddler sized bottle is not enough for the whole day in my opinion).
Problem 2. My DD has been out of nappies for over 6 months, yet twice I've found that she puts a nappy on her for trips/daytime naps. My thinking is that she's too lazy to keep an eye on her.
Problem 3. They don't do anything other than play in the garden or in the playroom with toys. They're not given any activities, not even a pencil and paper.
Problem 4. My childminder often leaves them in the playroom alone to do her paperwork, ironing, change beds, Facebook, internet etc.
Problem 5. She is stern to the point that my daughter turns from being a confident happy girl to being withdrawn and nervous when she's around her. I've seen myself how stern she can be over little things, such as not taking coat off first time.
I've looked for childcare elsewhere in my area but childminders are like gold dust!! I have another childminder lined up for 3 months away, I don't know what to do in the meantime. My family work so they can't help much in the meantime and I can't bear the thought of my little one putting up with this woman for 3 months.
Am I being unreasonable?