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Original poster

childminders who don't drive ....

57 replies

nappyaddict · 03/05/2008 22:54

i am looking at a childminder for ds but she doesn't drive. i don't have a problem with that but she will have a 5 year old, a 2 year old, a 14 month old and a newborn and am worried it might be a bit stressful for her getting on buses and stuff. does anyone else not drive and have 3 of similar ages?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
KatyMac · 03/05/2008 23:36

Great minds....or fools seldom?

FromGirders · 03/05/2008 23:35

Umm . .
(mutters something about imitaion and flattery)

Original poster
nappyaddict · 03/05/2008 23:34

MaureenMLove - what ages of children and how many did you used to take on the bus.

OP posts:
MaureenMLove · 03/05/2008 23:34

I actually found it much easier, when I had my full quota of mindees to use public transport or walk. By the time you've got everyone in a car, strapped them all in and done it in reserve at your destination, its quicker by foot or bus!

Never had to fold my buggy on the bus either.

Original poster
nappyaddict · 03/05/2008 23:34

yes for the swimming she'll only have 2 but i'm talking about other times when she might use the bus.

OP posts:
KatyMac · 03/05/2008 23:33

Personally I think you are stalking me

FromGirders · 03/05/2008 23:32

Honest Katy, I'm not an echo, only a slow typer.

FromGirders · 03/05/2008 23:32

Depends on the pool and the area. My pool will allow 2 2-5yo's.

KatyMac · 03/05/2008 23:31

No Ellbell - only some

Some are 1:2

Ellbell · 03/05/2008 23:30

Don't most pools insist on a 1:1 ratio for pre-schoolers?

FromGirders · 03/05/2008 23:30

(Presuming the youngest is her own child), that's only two to take on the bus. Sorted!

KatyMac · 03/05/2008 23:29

Then she will only have 2 on the bus?

Original poster
nappyaddict · 03/05/2008 23:28

she said she would take them when her eldest is at school and she would leave the youngest at home with her dp.

OP posts:
FromGirders · 03/05/2008 23:26

Really, just have a chat to her about it. I'd certainly go on a bus with this many children, and to the play centre.
You wouldn't catch me going swimming with that many kids though!!

KatyMac · 03/05/2008 23:25

I doubt she will be swimming with 4 children

Original poster
nappyaddict · 03/05/2008 23:23

well the swimming pool is a bus drive away and so is the play centre so i assume she would be using buses with them.

OP posts:
Ellbell · 03/05/2008 23:21

My cm doesn't drive either. I like the fact that it means the dds get exercise every day, and that they learn that going out in the rain doesn't actually kill you! It has never been a problem. If one of them needed to go to hospital or something she'd call a taxi or, if urgent, an ambulance.

Tinker · 03/05/2008 23:21

Will she need to use buses?

Tinker · 03/05/2008 23:20

I don't think she ever goes on buses with them, everything is within walking distance.

Original poster
nappyaddict · 03/05/2008 23:19

does she use the buses though or do they walk most places?

OP posts:
Tinker · 03/05/2008 23:19

My childminder doesn't drive and has 3 under 3 but did have 3 under 2. She uses reins and buggy board and double buggy. I must say, I really like it that she doesn't drive in some ways. I don't have to worry about what car seat she uses or her level of driving.

Original poster
nappyaddict · 03/05/2008 23:19

i use the buses a lot and you have to fold the pushchair up most of the time.

OP posts:
FromGirders · 03/05/2008 23:16

Best thing is to discuss these things with her. It may be that buses in your area are the kind you can roll a pushchair onto, I don't know how familiar you or she is with them. Does she need to be on public transport much at all? If she's prepared to take on this number and age of children then she presumably has a plan (in her head at least) of how to manage them all.

Original poster
nappyaddict · 03/05/2008 23:11

you have to fold up the buggy though to get on the bus. that's the bit i'm worried about.

OP posts:
FromGirders · 03/05/2008 23:05

I do have a policy for using reins. It's a deal-breaker for me for the under-twos. Three on a bus - no prob - one for each hand and one on my back.