Would this put you off a childminder?

[njmummy]

We have been to visit a lovely childminder who has a space for our daughter when she will be 10 months old.

They have a lovely huge space, nice safe outdoor area, separate children’s toilet and lots of resources. Between the childminder and her assistant they have over 40 years childcare experience and both of them seem so lovely and are very passionate about what they do. They regularly go on trips and offer home cooked meals. They have also maintained Ofsted Outstanding for 15 years. We can use our funded hours so cost to us will be minimal for the part time place.

Between them they have 6 under 4s in the day and also collect up to 10 primary aged children after school. They collect from 2 different schools, so they take 3 of their early years children each - two in a buggy and one walking.

The after school provision is what concerns me. I can’t imagine how two adults can be responsible for so many children of different ages and stages and meet all their needs but appreciate it’s maybe standard for a childminder.

What do you think? It’s considerably cheaper than a nursery and seems a fantastic setting for every reason other than this.

its a massive red flag for me, having witness my friends mum (childminder) having to look after the older and younger kids. The older kids got given the attention cos they are verbal and could ask for stuff whilst the babies / toddlers just got put in the buggy/left on the playmat and largely ignored for hours as long as they didn’t cry whilst my friends mum sorted out the older kids (and her own stuff!) .

the school settling in is a non issue - really depends on the child

The older children probably went there as toddlers an d never stopped. Could even be siblings of the other toddlers.

Tbh it was school runs that put me off childminders. Great during the day. But not after school.

However DD2 timed her names around DD1s preschool timings. As soon as she was in the pram she was out like a light!

No chance.
If one childminder is doing nappies or cooking that leaves one adult with all those children.

Do they have a hall that divides for the babies? If not...What happens when an older child brings something along like a marble/ ring/ jewel, stone, rubber (all the things primary kids love) and a baby chews it?

They must be fairly decent to get outstanding however remember ofsted give notice of their visits so childminders will ensure it's all flowing well, like ready prepared food, activities laid out.

I think your gut is saying no and I'd go with that.

I can’t see how your baby can be cared for in that environment. Too much toing and froing. Too much time spent in a buggy.

Yes, they are massively out of ratio. 16 kids to cook for, walk along with and supervise is too much for 2 adults

I would double check if the school aged children (not the CM's own) are really there every day in the school holidays. I know when we used a CM once the children turned school age we only used the CM for school pick up and didn't do holidays as it was cheaper to send to holiday clubs. Also double check if it's the same children each day as I highly doubt that it is the same 10 children every day.
As it is only a short journey it wouldn't bother me at all. Both my children experienced going to a CM as babies, pre schoolers and school aged. They sound very experienced.

As perspective, my youngest have down the school run with me for their whole lives hole I took their sister to school. They have just gone to high school and I have had zero worried about road ms and safety, they've done it their whole lives and are very sensible.

I found childminders to be much less rigid and tailored to.the needs of the individusl child than nursery.

How much can you tailor when the baby is one of 16, and over such a short span of time during the day?

Sorry wrong thread 🥹

The school runs wouldn’t bother me (they’re short), nor the naps needing to fit in around other things - that is standard for 2nd etc babies and tbh in any childcare setting there will be adaptation to the environment, otherwise the CM could never leave the house.

The overall number of children would bother me.

Can you visit again next week when it's school holiday to see what they do with so many kids of mixed ages?

She is looking after too many children. I wouldn't be happy with this set-up.

Did you take one baby and one toddler on the school run and pick up one child or did you have take 3 under 3 and pick up another 4-6 kids? Surely there is a difference here?

Youll find your child has to fit in with the school run and the children being picked up - they won’t be getting quality care at that point.Too bad if they have a dirty nappy or aren’t well enough to be out in all weathers.
I wouldn’t mind the drop off so much but of course they’re taking so many children after school for the money. Hopefully the children play nicely but they’ll be much bigger.
As it’s part-time maybe it won’t be such an issue for you but I much prefer a good nursery.

@HaveYouSeenRain yes I took 2 younger sibs so you are right it is different to having a gaggle of them and also I suppose I knew my own children better.

You are missing that some after schoolers will be over 8 and there isn’t a limit on that I believe

I once used a childminder that had lots of over 8 year olds so I can believe that there isn’t a limit. The house was mayhem in the afternoon, my toddler hated it.