I've got some fairly big ishoos with my CM, but it's all a bit awkward - please help!

Not acceptable - for 3 hours or 33 hours. Sounds like a pretty crappy set-up and you are obviously bothered about it, so go with your guts and find an alternative.

(and am I the only poster who thinks the comment about 'at least he's indoors and safe rather than outside and in danger from cars' comment is rather alarmist and OTT?)

Is this cm registered?? I need to know!

as heated said it does nor even sound homely!

How can she be minding and not have a table!! Can she not do him a little picnic lunch on a blanket or something? Why sit him in his buggy and spoon feed him!!!!!

You need to be happy with the care - regardless of how long he goes and it doesn't sound like you are.

also a cm btw

I think she sounds dreadful. None of these things would be bad if she was a friend or neighbour helping you out now and again, but you're paying for this. She's supposed to be a professional, working to regulations and standards.
I wouldn't be happy with this at all.Find a childminder that actually does something for her pay, rather than just watching over the children.
(I'm a cm too)

No, it's not stimulating him enough nor particularly homey either from the sounds of it.

Find another CM or consider a nursery.

wether for 3 hours or 3 days you are not happy!

I'm a childminder and am shocked tbh! no table, sleep in pushchair, eat in pushchair, tv on all the time don't get me wrong my does go on but at certain points of the day, ie: around 4.30pm IF everyonje has tried to help tidy up, we'll all snuggle and watch mickey mouse

the sleep and no table would bug me - so maybe change the time your ds goes - if it is only for 3 hrs - assume he goes maybe 12 - 3?

so change to 9 - 12 - and then he can have lunch and sleep at yours

i am not a great tv fan during the day (but watch all kind of crap at night) but normally have radio on or kiddi music channel through sky

but in the long run, IF it is ONLY normally 3hrs, then bite your tonuge - when baby comes,you will appreicate ds1 going to a stable face and giving you a few hours with baby/to sleep

have a look for someone else then make your decision...
is she registered?
how much are you paying her?
are there any other children there when your ds is there?
he is 2, being spoon fed in a pushchair!?! This really isn't acceptable imho.

The TV bit wouldn't bother me if he is only there 3 hours/week.

the more you divulge the more shocked i am !

but only you know the CMer, and her house etc,and whether you / your son are unhappy with arrangements enough to take him out

x

Stroppyknickers, can you spray your garden with disinfectant?

Your CM's standards of childcare (standard of living, even) sound very basic. However, as others say, unless you think that your DS is in some kind of danger (and TBH the dog poo would make me wonder about standards of hygiene and whether they were adequate) it doesn't really matter too much for three hours a week if it is convenient to use this CM.

how will she be doing eyf then!

I wouldn't be happy with that kind of set up. I don't think you are being precious at all.

Jojomamanbebe does portable booster seat type highchairs, you could always buy one and take it each time as eating in a stroller is a health issue - he could choke if he was lying back a bit. I'd even prefer my LO to sit on the floor and eat off a plate to sitting in a pushchair, that doesn't sound safe at all.

lol even if she doesnt have room for a table then surely a feeding chair is a requirement??

what about mindees too old for a buggy ? where do they eat sofa ? floor ?!

how can a cm not have a table - what does she eat her own dinner from.

Agree I would stick to the 3 hours if you don't actually need more.

I'd keep him there for just the 3 hours at a time until baby is born and you are all settled again and then I'd either find another CM or I'd put him in nursery for a day or two a week.

No table? How wierd! Is that OK with OFSTED?

If you can afford it she could be a big lifeline for the occasional half days respite when you've got a newborn.

Drop the full days, but keep the 3 hours.

I wouldn't be keen on using someone like this for full time childcare, but if my son's go to say my Mum's for 3 hours they would just potter whilst she got on with stuff.

A lifeline is worth having.

for 3 hours i wouldn't be bothered - it's only 1 meal and 1 nap at the most, and no 23 month old is going to sit quietly in a pushchair unless he wants to - he'll soon demand out and activity. and even if it is 3 hours tv? well, not great, but hey ho. a nursery would be more expensive - we pay about £25 for a morning or afternoon session, but it would be more structured in the ways you want, and the ways you don't want (ie same day each week)
and if it's raining - i don't clear my garden either, but i do it when the sun comes out and the kids want to go outside - i'm sure she'd do the same - it's unlikely that she'd chance any minded child stepping in/ crawling in anything. presumably she is ofsted registered etc?

I would share all your concerns if he was going there much
But if she is flexible and nice and your DS is happy and it's just a few hours a week I wouldn't worry about it, I think it's quite unusual to find this kind of arrangement and your DS will have enough changes coming his way with the new baby
I might (nicely) query the eating in the pushchair, does the cm not have enough space at the table?

I fhe's going for whole days and he's not going outside, she isn't following whatever that code of practice is for early years (can't remember the name)

is she a registered CM

is she part of your local CM network?

I'd look around for other options TBH or havea good chat with her about your changing expectations if he's there longer than you anticipated, e.g. no activities fine for a few hours but if he's going often you'd like him to do x y z and get outside etc.