I really like my childminder, BUT...

I'm a childminder and these are my thoughts:

1. Does she do a daily diary? I and many childminders do for children under the age of 5 (Ofsted actually want us to aswell)? My diaries detail food eaten, bottles taken, nappies (wet or dirty), sleep (time and how long), activities, where we've been etc etc.

2. TV - all day and she tells you! Glad she's honest but my god, I'm very surprised about that!!! I'm not anti tv and in fact think my ds has learnt a lot from select programs on children's tv however having it on all day is a bit much imo! I allow up to 30 mins whilst I prepare lunch (chills them out ready to play plus it helps me keep an eye on them) and up to 30 mins when I prepare dinner for the same reasons.

3. Feeding in pushchair - WHY??? Can't she afford a highchair? . I fed my 8 month old mindee in the pram today for the first time as we were having a picnic at the park. IMO it's ok for me to do that once in a while but I'd never dream of doing it all the time. Not hygienic and can't be good position for eating all the time?

4. Naps - I have always managed to do what parents want in over 2 yrs of minding. I'm sure there will get to a point where I need to decide what I want to do and then some parents may not choose me but so far it's all worked out fine. IF a parent asked me to let them nap in a pushchair, I would consider it (with some thought) HOWEVER I would NEVER expect parents to be happy with me choosing for them to nap in a buggy!! All my kids have had naps in travel cots in a dark quiet room. Yes, it's a pain having a whole room filled with cots but that's MY problem! Sorry, just don't think I'd put up with that personally. Oh, and if she's saying she's tried......it's not been long enough if only 2 days x 3 weeks.

5. No you are not being silly. What can you do??.............do you have email contact with her? Most of my parents choose to discuss things on email but luckily I've never had anything negative. I just really hope that if anyone was, they'd talk it through with me.

I'm sorry you are having to go through all this as it's harder because she's nice but sorry, I don't think nice is enough. My main concern here is your lo's lack of sleep. That is a very long day and he may suffer with learning etc as a result??

Good luck

p.s. as for her numbers....deffo check these! I'm allowed 4 under 5's in total (certificate says 3 as ds reduces the numbers) but OFSTED gave me a variation for that. It won't be on her certificate unless they've agreed. I'm actually having 5 under 5's next week but the extra one on top of the 4 allowed is attending 10 sessions a week and is therefore classed as an over 5 iyswim.

I think, then, that if these are big things to you that you really do have to speak to her about them.
With the sleeping, I am a bit surprised because I've found that if a young child or baby is tired, then there is nothing that would keep them awake. Much the same as when they don't want to go to sleep, not much will make them. All of my children have slept well in their pushchair during the day at some point or other. Usually, outside so getting some fresh air at the same time.
I do think you need to speak to her and find out how the day normally runs. You obviously aren't happy with things as they are.

Are you sure she doesn't take them out? If they play in the garden that's okay. Perhaps she will go out places when the weather is bad (library or other indoor place).
As for the TV on all day. Maybe it's just background noise. Does she have children's programmes on? Lots of ifs and maybes. I don't think having the TV on is a problem and unless you are there all day with her how do you know she has it on all day anyway?
I think you need to ask her to give you a run-down of a typical day.
You think she is lovely, you say your ds is happy there. I'm not sure what the problem is, or is that the problem that you just feel uneasy about something?

hi there, i would speak to her about outings, i live near town busy roads etc but im out every single day, wether walk(with buggies) to park, shops, library anything that will help stimulate them.
re naps, i have two children that each come once a weeka dn they always sleep in the buggy!, parents told me this is how they do it, so as i have lay back one, thats were they sleep unles we have a cuddle and they drop off on me..i did have a travel cot and never once opend it!

t.v..i have mine on if they come very early(6-7am start), we occasionally put it on for 1/2 hour after lunch(quiet time) or read etc, then if theyre here late, after dinner we put it on or read a book to calm them down before parent comes, so on a normal day about 1/2 hour, if long day 1 hour, never on in background unless we have music chanel on.

read her t&c if you have it and check her ofsted certificate reg ratios.good luck

I am sure all childminders are pretty nice people - after all, imo, they have to have the patience of a saint to look after children all day. If you look for another one, which I would in your position, I am sure you will find someone you like just as much and who suits your parenting needs better...

meant to say i am not particularly anti-telly for small children, just not all bloody day!

bb i think you will just have to bite the bullet and tell her she isn't doing enough with your ds and you either want her to take him out of the house more and have less telly, or accept that this isn't the placefor him.

my opinion is this really won't do he cant sit in a house for 24 hours a week. possiby in a pushchair in front of the telly.

There was a thread about children and tv a while ago bohemianbint. It got very heated.

My view FWIW is that NOT watching tv does them no harm, but watching tv might (not conclusive) so better to not watch. IYSWIM. I never have the tv on before ds is in bed for the night and mindees have never once watched tv at my house, we are too busy doing other stuff.

but even if one has started nursery unless that child is doing more than 10 sessions a week that still count as age 4 so still take up her under 5 space.

also it has been ok while your ds is v young and nice weather for the garden. it's going to be completely different in a few months. tv all day is v bad.

I would disagree with that - tv all day for a child that age is not a good thing, nor is eating in a buggy and having no nap.
you need to tell her what you want - a rough idea of a daily schedule......I'd be finding a new childminder if she didn't take your concerns on board and do something about it

As it's only twice a week I think not going out and TV on is not such an issue as it would be if your DS did longer hours. On the plus side it's important that you like her and your DS is happy. My own DD went for a while to a very nice motherly CM and I accepted that she wasn't so great on the 'educational' side of things. Toddler groups aren't always that great anyway.

4 under 4, tv on all day, never takes kids out and no naps, unless in buggy. Are you really satisfied with this?

Her own children should be included in the numbers fishie. Four under four wouldn't be allowed by care commission in scotland without applying for variation, not sure about ofsted.
bohemienbint - I take it she is registered? I am a cm and feel that all of the things you mention are legitimate concerns and I would not be happy leaving my ds there tbh. Saying that, I have had a mindee sleep in the buggy as an absolute last resort, however I only had him one day a week and every week I tried him in the travel cot until eventually he accepted it and slept in it no bother. Listen to the niggles that you have as they probably won't go away.

are any of them her own children? that makes a difference to numbers i think.

my cm takes little children out, usually to an activity in the morning and to playground in afternoon as part of school run with older children. even if weather is foul. and they often walk.

Definietly take your travel cot in - one of my mums brought hers for me to borrow when I didn't have one, as her child was used to sleeping in it at relatives etc. Worked a treat. I'd been trying to get him to sleep by walking with buggy but it never worked and he just gor grumpier! I was more than happy to do as she asked on this - after all you all want the same thing, which is for the child to be as happy as poss. I also don't drive, but thats no excuse. There must be toddler groups nearby she can walk to. It breaks the day up and everyone feels better for the change of scenery. I'd go mad staying in all day every day with any kids - even if you have a good amount of toys etc on offer, some kids, boys espec need to be more active. You won't be out of line if you put these things to her, honest.

I just wondered as it's normally 3 under 5's not 4 - does she have a variation?

Why hasnt she got a travel cot? sorry I have started another thread about sleeping in buggies.