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Original poster

Activities - who is responsible?

28 replies

HarrietM87 · 17/08/2019 20:04

We have a lovely nanny for our 16 month old son. She takes him out most days to various activities (soft play, playgroups, music classes etc) in the mornings, and then they play at home in the afternoon. They usually just read books and play with his toys or go to the local park. He’s starting to get more interested in eg drawing, sticking stuff, could maybe manage simple baking, would love some sensory activities. I keep seeing complicated looking tuff tray set ups on Pinterest and worrying he isn’t getting that kind of stuff (pfb!). Should we be asking the nanny to come up with stuff like this or should we be telling her what to do? Ideally I’d like her to come up with ideas for him to save me the mental leg work, though obviously happy to provide whatever materials are necessary. Not sure if that’s asking too much though!

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Stardustmoon · 17/08/2019 20:59

A long time*

Stardustmoon · 17/08/2019 20:58

I'm one of those Pinterest blogger mums and set up regular small worlds in tuff trays, messy play set ups, arts and crafts etc. It does take me along time to plan and gather resources. I'm a teacher so find it about easier to come up with ideas as I have books etc. If you want more stimulating activities, I would think you would need to provide the resources and possibly some reference books to help her? I think you're right to want more but probably need to guide her a bit. 😊

nannynick · 17/08/2019 20:33

Tuff tray - we didn't have that as a child and we turned out fine.
We may well have had homemade play dough, we may have helped bake cakes, helped to wash up, may have even had a small sandpit.

There are all sorts of things your nanny can do but they need the equipment to do it, so look at what supplies you have around the house and make sure they know what things they can use.

Reading to them and with them, listening to music, making music... that sort of thing is just as important to be doing. Drawing/painting tends to be a bit late on - at this stage mark making is to be encouraged, making marks on paper not the table, wall, clothes etc. Once out of eating anything in their hand stage, they can like stickers. I use those quite a bit at church under 3's group as it's not as messy as glue, or paint.

So I would have a chat with your nanny about what sort of things they want for winter for indoor activities. That way you can make suggestions and they can too.