Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Adoption

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on adoption.

Childcare experience

5 replies

PolkaDot12345 · 20/01/2021 18:47

We have our first initial visit with the social worker on the 1st feb (uk based). We are concerned about the childcare experience that we need. We have an 18mth old nephew who we spent a lot of time with (pre Covid) we have been looking for volunteering opportunities but haven’t been able to come across any. What’s everyone’s experience with this?

OP posts:
AncientEmo · 20/01/2021 20:32

It seems to vary so much based on what I've seen here, but this is our experience: we have no siblings or kids in the family so we babysat friend's kids as much as possible. I volunteer at a children's writing group and have for a few years. That was it and they didn't ask for anything extra.

I have heard that they're being a bit easier because of covid and the lack of opportunity for volunteering. So hopefully your experience with your nephew will be enough.

That said, one question at panel was about our lack of experience specifically with older children. I can't remember how we answered it now!

AncientEmo · 20/01/2021 20:32

*nieces/nephews not siblings!

Italiangreyhound · 21/01/2021 01:12

Take a look at www.mumsnet.com/Talk/adoptions/4072178-Volunteering-with-children-during-the-pandemic

Do you do any activities at all with kids, or have you in the past?

Stinkyjellycat · 21/01/2021 08:01

We had no experience with kids whatsoever and weren’t asked to do anything. The same is true of everyone I know in our LA. The PP is right in that it varies a lot.

Italiangreyhound · 21/01/2021 10:30

I had loads of experience with kids. And I mean loads. Plus we already had a child.

Initially, my dh thought he had very little experience, except our own child of course, who was 7 at the time - and aside from limited experience with our nephews.

However, for years he had helped at a club that did include a really small amount of much older kids. We were honest about it all, willing to get more experience if necessary but not massively keen to.

My dh had also helped at church with children's groups but it was all quite a while ago. To be fair this was pre Covid and I think they were stricter.

But basically it was fine and neither of us had to get more.

Some places may have stuff on line with kids and you may find just being willing to offer to help as a volunteer is enough.

Personally, I would not start anything without first checking with social workers that it is what they want. You'll need to be honest with the activity and get the whole checks in place etc.

I think we were told initially our own child/nephews didn 't count (basically) they wanted to see how we coped with other people's kids!

But then it turned out out it was ok and neither of us had to do more.

Good luck

New posts on this thread. Refresh page