@Dontdreamitsclover
I could do just 1 more year at uni, or even complete it working full time in my current setting, but I just really don't fancy teaching! All of the teachers I know advise against it because of how ridiculous it is getting. All you have to do is read some of the posts on the staffroom board and that seems to be the general consensus there too. So sad. It's certainly an option though if I ever change my mind!
@KimberlyS2 we get so so SO many boxes of chocolates😭 I love chocolate as much as the next person but honestly, it's just too much. We also get bottles upon bottles of wine. This sounds abit naff, but honestly I love getting cards or letters with lovely messages in, I keep them all. Another nice thing to do is write a note or send an email to the manager/owner letting them know how pleased you are with the member of staff, that always goes down well. Other than that I like getting vouchers for Costa or Starbucks to feed my iced coffee addiction, or even a voucher for a clothes shop you think they might like. The letter letting them know how fab they've been will mean the most though, give some examples of things they've done that have meant the most to you and your child. Ask your little one 'what does X do to make you laugh?' And write down exactly what they say!
@glitterbiscuits hi, I'm sure you made the right choice for you and your child! Different children do better in different environments. Personally though, and this is just my view, I don't think I've ever heard one good thing, or met one happy parent who's child has been with a childminder. I wouldn't personally for a few different reasons... mainly because a lot of the time they work alone or with just one other person, and from a safeguarding point of view that's just abit off to me. Another reason would be the environment, it's their home and not a professional setting, from what I've seen that makes the CM very relaxed. My god daughter goes to a childminder and they just aren't very good! I've been let straight through the door and been to pick her up when they haven't ever even seen me before, I could have been anyone! They're always on their phones in the room with the children, to me that's so shocking!
We have a lot of parents who send their 2/3 year olds to us after finding their childminders become lazy and don't stimulate the children at all... we hear the same stories all the time! It could just be that CM's are better for under 2's🤷🏼♀️
That is all just in my experience though, it's all anecdotal and you/others may have had good experiences! I hope you did!