Attachment parenting childminder - is there a call for it?

Perhaps there would be more demand for part-time. However, I do have a sling-carried, full-term breastfeeding mindee who is with me for over 37 hours each week. His mum would love to be at home with him instead of working full-time but sadly her financial circumstances force her to leave him with me instead. It isn't a case of making lifestyle choices... she already lives very frugally.

I think when mums who prefer an AP style of parenting do absolutely have to work full-time, it is even more important to them that they find a childminder who will provide a warm and nurturing home-from-home environment with plenty of cuddles.

Hello all, this thread inspired me to start the FB discussion/support group for CMs but I had such overwhelmingly positive initial response that I have now made a FB page, where I hope parents can find CMs who are willing provide care consistent with AP principles. You can find it here: www.facebook.com/pages/Attachment-Childminders-UK/356922907696765

Thank you rubirosa- I couldn't work out how to do a link from my iPhone, but yes, your link is indeed us! Just starting out but hoping to use the group as a forum for networking attachment childminding ideas. :-)

I think this is it www.facebook.com/groups/359158427485156/

This has made for very pertinent reading... I am about to be inspected by ofsted to register (next week) and provided that goes okay (fingers crossed) I intend to advertise myself as an attachment childminder. I practice attachment (natural/instinctive/traditional-
Whatever you want to call it!) parenting with my 16 month DS & I know there are plenty of parents nearby who would be keen to find a cm who follows the gentle/natural parenting approach... Really it will be orientated around baby led weaning, baby wearing, cloth nappy use, not ever, ever using CIO, gentle discipline, green living, nature-loving, free play & creativity & home- education, among other practices along these lines. It seems to me that there is definitely a demand for this sort of holistic care; it means having lower ratios so you can give children more individual care, but that's fine- excellent quality pays off, & one doesn't train to
be a cm to get rich.

I'm kind of banging on about it a bit but i'm very passionate about it... I have a friend who is about to embark on cm training who
Feels the same way, but we are both concerned there appears to be no network for this sort of childminding approach. So we've started a Facebook group to see what we can do.. If anyone would like to have a look/join, it's called Attachment childminding UK. Be great to hear from some of the lovely cm's on this thread. :-)
Thanks for reading....

Aww, that's lovely greenbananas!

Oops, I meant full term breastfeeding - I do not breastfeed full-time

Actually, on the subject of breastfeeding, I know that the parent of my full-time mindee really appreciates that I support her breastfeeding her 18 month old (e.g. when she arrives to collect him, I make us both a cup of tea and we chat for 20 mins or so about what he has done during the day while she gives him a quick feed).

OP, there is definitely a call for childminders who are willing to carry small children in slings when necessary - at least, this has been my experience. Also, RealityWARREN has written some very encouraging posts, I think.

I am a sling-wearing, full-time breastfeeding mum who has trained as a childminder as a way of staying at home with my own DS (I used to be a playworker). I only have one full-time mindee plus occasional children of friends for odd days, so I don't earn much - but I have turned down parents who want a more regimented 'nursery-style' provision because I want to work in my own way.

One thing I have considered is minding older home-educated children during the day while their parents work part-time - this would bring in more money while allowing for carrying one or two small children about as much as they needed. I'm completely sure there is a demand for that (e.g. one parent told me her daughter would be home-educated if she had known I was going to train as a childminder), but I am about to go on maternity leave so haven't really looked into this yet.

Good luck to you!

yes was just coming on to say same as HSMM

poor DD, I wouldn't leave a baby to cry

I am so sorry, LWL

Think you would be better with a nanny where you have more say about how your child is brought up. I wouldn't be happy. If one child was getting all that attention what about the others?

If a parent approached me and asked if I'd support AP I wouldn't say yes. But I don't leave children to cry,so maybe I am an AP CM?

OP another point to consider is how you as a CM would manage other parents' requests. Would you be happy to leave a baby to cry if the parent's requested this as it was part of a child's normal sleep routine? If you wouldn't you would potentially be turning away a lot of clients which would effect your ability to earn a decent income from childminding.

Bertie, that's my point.

AP is just a poncy name for the other end of the spectrum from Ford's.

And, I had three kids in four years, so the way I raised them was different from the way their solitary cousin was raised in the early years. and, CM's have multiple kids, multiple drop offs and nursery runs - so, snack and nap times will likely have to shift on CM days simply because of logistics.

So, from a trade description POV - AP CM's is a nonsense.

Op I do feel for you. But is the issue more to do with shared care rather than ap? Whatever the cm's approach it is sometimes impossible to simultaneously settle two or more children. Especially if one is getting used to a new cm and routine and sharing her carer with others.

Even if cm had your child in a back sling, if she was crying this could have prevented another child from going to sleep. If you are caring for 3 children at once sometimes the only option is putting one down for a few minutes while another child is settled quickly. I hope this is what happened rather than her being just left to cry it out.

:( for you. Did she mean actually leaving her to cry or did she mean she cried to sleep in a sling? DS has cried himself to sleep on arms before and while it's horrid I'd rather that than crying alone.