What is reasonable for me to expect my CM to do whilst the kids are with her?

If I had that sort of contract I would encourage you to pay £1.25 for supper for each child and then sit them down with my 2 and other mindees at 5pmish for their dinner.

I've always felt - and politely encouraged parents to consider the same - that children staying with me after 5pm ought to have their dinner at mine - its too later for them otherwise. mind you I provide "picky snacks" after school - like fruit with few crisps, few biscuits and maybe crackers and cheese or breadsticks - which take a while to eat. The playroom is available for all children and they often get together to make rsmall world type games with the farm and cars etc all mixed together. I allow 20 mins of tv or computer games - and its either or not both for 20 mins! I do not EVER do housework after school except cook the tea - and if its somethign like lasagne or roast dinner I will have pre prepared alot of it before leaving for school and may already have it in the oven on low....

She sounds like someone not doing it for the love of the kids or as a career - more a pockt money childminder.....you should be getting more from her time with your children.

I agree with many of the messages here. After school kids generally want to relax have fun with other children. Sometimes it can be really difficult to get them interested in anything, they love a run around the garden - running off energy. I allow some TV when they first arrive, then make sure lots of activities are provided - puzzles, games, books, quiet time for homework, maybe some craft work, drawing, playdough. It can be difficult to get heavily involved with painting ect, as you then need to clear down for food. I feed my mindees (for an extra charge) so have to cook while children are there, so this does create some "housework" such as clearing tables, setting, keeping worktops clear and clearing away, wiping mess off floors. I am contracted to give 4 weeks notice of time off, unless there is a reason such as illness or emergency. Speak to your children and find if they are happy, thats what is important.

Hmm, look for another CM.
You are paying her to look after your DC, so I would expect them to be entertained and fed and wouldn't be happy about her last minute social engagements either.
Either she is a CM, or she isn't and at the moment she seems more like a friend doing a favour tbh

I would look for another childminder. Mine has only had one instance of short notice absence - because she was in hospital! That is in 6 months, my last childminder we were with for over a year, and never had any.

I checked when we went to a new childminder that she would provide tea, as it was important to me that DS (toddler) ate before 6.30 - 7 when we get home. If you don't feel able to raise it with her, that isn't a good sign!

Hi i was a childminder's assistant and have also done the childminding course. I know that short notice for time off doesn't sound right and you should check your contract there. I was shocked as well abot cooking a meal in front of the children while only offering them a snack-like tea.

It's quite possible that you have to provide you're own food as it's up to individual childminders whether or not they include that in the price.

On the score of doing more with the children, it's not on to do lots of housework while childminding.

Certainly the essential things such as general upkeep of the environment the children are in but at the end of the day your childminder is "at work" until the last child is collected and should be doing more with them.

Other housework should be saved to do in their own time.

I would definately say there are much better quality of childminders out there than the one you described even though they may be doing all that's in their contract.

It's all about communication - I would chat with her and ask her to feed them when she does her own family, saying you'll pay a little extra. It makes sense your kids eat at that time with her.

If she isn't keen to feed them (for whatever reason - many CMs don't as we have to register as a catering establishment and adhere to strict regs re food preparation etc.), then supply her with food for your kids, which she just needs to heat up.

If she isn't keen to do this either, maybe you should find a new childminder, as she is unable to offer you the service you require for your kids.

Re the notice - what is in your contract? You should get decent notice period for leave!

We eat as a family at 6pm after the mindees have left. Some parents want their children fed and some don't, so it is difficult to feed some and not others. I do provide a healthy after school snack for the children. They rarely watch TV. They have free choice of activities after school - some read their books or do their homework, but mostly they charge around the garden getting the school cobwebs out of their hair. I am contracted to give 4 weeks notice of any time off (except sickness) and usually give more than this.

Hope this helps?

I know a few childminders who don't feed their charges but I can't imagine them making and eating a meal in front of them!

Some children like to relax after school and some like to do activities, I would discuss this with her.

I think you need to look at your contract for answers to alot of your questions.

Thanks . I have hyperemesis and haven't eaten much for the past 6 or 7 weeks and have lost well over a stone. Good job I'm not skinny .

OP, sorry for the hijack

Woooo Hoooooo. That's great news. Hope you have a happy and trouble free pregnancy.

Apology for hijack

Tigerfeet - did I read on another thread that you are pg? If so, huge congratulations. If not, sorry for the mistake .

As a cm I have done more than your's with after school children, and less! Depends on teh child basically, some children I have minded have wanted to do four or five craft activities and games everyday, some just want to watch TV or read. If your children are happy then I would be happy, but if they are saying tey are bored there then I think that needs rethinking.

Notice for time off should be on contract, housework - no, but preparing impending meal and clearing up after the children yes.

I agree with MML, doesn't sound very family friendly - I CANNOT BEAR children here not eating with us, any mindees here when we eat, eat with us. I insist on it!

Are there other minders who pick up from your dcs school??

Are you sure she is a registered childminder? She doesn't sound very professional, if she's taking time off for social engagements at short notice and hasn't even suggested that she feed your lo's.

I minded for 12 years and I always felt guilty if I had to feed DD early for any reason! Most of my mindees parents chose to feed them themselves, but there were occassions when DD had a club to go to or something and needed her dinner. DH and I, however, always had to wait until gone 7 or even 8, if I had mindees who weren't being fed. I felt too guilty!

I pay an extra £1.50 a day for dd to have her tea at the CM's. She mostly plays with the other children there but is usually the last to be collected so after the others have gone she sits in the CM's kitchen and does drawing or colouring whilst the CM starts the family meal. I have no problem with that, as others have said it's what she would do at home at that sort of time.

It's the short notice days off that would put me off tbh. We've only been with our CM for a few months but she has never had any time off. I need a reliable CM.

My cm charges £4.30 per hour which includes meals and snacks. I think she's probably quite expensive but she only ever has 3 children at a time during the day.

4 occaions isn't too bad in 18 month but the short notice isn't great at all.

I would certainly look around and see what else there is in the area - it will also give you an idea of going rates including & excluding tea. These vary hugely by area often determined by supply & demand! School dinners cost £1.80 per day here though but my cm includes lunch & snacks in her hourly rates she doesn't work beyond 5 so doesn't do tea times.

Sorry - forgot the bit about taking time off. I agree with NB27 re. notice.

FWIW, in 3 years, my childminder has only had a day off if either she or her own children were vomitting! I think it's happened about 3 times. Obviously, I didn't have any notice when this happened, and had to take time off work.

My dd has been to the GP and nurse with my childminder when the cm had an appointment. Dd thought it was wonderful! It's just all part of the "family experience" that Maureen mentions.

As a CM myself I would say No this isn`t normal, should have it in your contract how much notice is expected to be given for time off unless an emergency, your contract should have been agreed by both of you at start. I provide food for kids i care for and if they are there at meal times they eat with my family unless parents have already asked for them not to in which case I provide a small snack.

Why are you a Friar?

Well, the activities thing sounds OK'ish, but the food thing is a bit odd. I don't really understand how she feels comfortable feeding her own family, whilst your lo's have to wait for you!

I think you ought to have a word with her about meals. If you have to pay more, then so be it, but to make little ones wait (and possibly watch) whilst the family eats theirs, doesn't sound very friendly! The whole point of using a CM is that you want a family atmosphere, isn't it?

mwah, mwah!

I always agree with Littlefish 'cos she is pretty.