To be shocked to see a childminder with 4 kids under 3

[Cornonthecob]

In Lidl over lunchtime doing a big shop! Basket full and did not look like food for the kids, 3 toddlers around 2/3 and 1 child in a buggy! Definitely not her children!

Is this normal or acceptable? I would really like to know! My judgy pants up to my armpits right now!! Thanks

I don't want to pay money for my DDs to be taken round supermarkets (sorry.)

Then a childminder was not the right choice for you. I didn't want my children to be basically kept in one room all day, so a nursery was not for me.

Each to their own. The children thrive regardless.

Of course

I too chose a Cm for these reasons- this seemed better than the nursery- child factories that we saw and re. nannies I think this can be a very lonely existence for said child while huge expense- I regularly see nannies sat in Pizza express with kid they are looking after, pushing a plate of food at them while otherwise spending entire meal staring at Whatsapp on their phone and literally sitting in complete silence with the child they are looking after. That to me is far far worse than a cm bustling around in a shop with several young kids, I’m glad my DS has other kids his age for company and to form bonds with but not so many as in nursery.

I wouldn't care if my childminder took the kids to the supermarket and bought a basketfull of stuff. That's got to be what, 30 minutes out of their day maybe? Who cares.

I don't want to pay money for my DDs to be taken round supermarkets (sorry.)

She's a childminder (if she is indeed that), not a child entertainer.... It's healthy for children to do the normal things of life. The fact shopping isn't exciting isn't a problem, it's a life lesson. We do risk being too child-focussed in today's society.... and then wonder why they grow up to be entitled, selfish teenagers!

Sometimes a visit to the shops is actually part of a planned activity. I.e. The children have asked to bake, so we find a recipe in a cookbook, check the cupboard for ingredients, write a list of what we need, go to the shops, look for the items, handle money while paying the cashier, come home and actually make the cakes.
There are so many opportunities for learning in that scenario I can't understand why you would NOT want your child to take part.

You no longer have to have a variation certificate, you can self variate as long as you can evidence that you can provide a good standard of care. I had 4 children the other day, 2 3yr olds and 2 4yr olds. We managed a trip to the post office, the bank and poundland to pick up some picnic treats and some outdoor games. The children behaved beautifully, enjoyed interacting with the people working in all the places and enjoyed their treats and games when we got home.

You cannot judge solely on one occasion.

Late to the party!

Op am a cm and have been registered for 4 under 3 by Ofsted.

Have done the supermarket as part of EYFS to show children how to collect items, pick out healthy choices, read labels, count, get ingredients for cakes etc and then go home and cook them.

You have a strange view of life.

what you never take you kid to a supermarket?! is mumsnet going mad at the moment?

My DC has a lovely childminders and also goes to pre school. At the pre school they have a little shop where the kids put things in the basket, go to the till and choose items. Surely its better for them to do that in real life? Its a learning experience and a home from home environment, where they sometimes have to go around the shops.

Well yes of course but then if they also have to do it with me its twice over.

My DC would have enjoyed it. Not that I know much about Lidl

French i do take them, yes, because I'm the parent.

If I was paying for childcare I'd be slightly less happy about this - not least because it would mean the DDs doing the sainsburys thing twice; once with me and once with their CM.

But we are all different.

Yes Field exactly. Op mine love going to the bank as there's a magic door that opens at the touch of a button!

Lidl is better than the big supermarkets, as its so nquick to go round. I can be in and out in 30 minutes doing a big trolley of shopping- Its one of the reasons I go!

Erm cornish, you do realise that most Childminders feed their mindees and therefore have to shop for them? So in what way is a childminder not working if they're in a shop? Most childminders work from 7.30 - 6 or longer so why not try and fit the shopping in when you have kids with you rather than after everyone has left. Especially when you also have paperwork to do.

You don't know anything and its not your business anyway. And leave some !! for everyone else, won't you? You sound hysterical.

It's personal viewpoint. It isn't just the supermarket but the school runs, the shopping, the bank visits, the dentist and the doctor.

Yes, some people like it. I don't, and so would opt for alternative childcare. No personal criticism of childminders implied or otherwise.

cornishvanillacream, the childminder's role is to safeguard your children plus give them interesting experiences that help their learning and development, right?

As I see it, a good childminder is more than capable of fulfilling these duties while taking them to the shops.

It's not like an office job where if you're not at a computer, you aren't working. It's incredibly valuable for kids to see adults do day to day activities, they learn so much from this. So if managed correctly, taking them shopping is beneficial for all.

Obviously, a nursery environment suits certain parents better, for a myriad of reasons and everyone should make a choice that suits them - that's a given.

But I don't think child minding is directly comparable to many other jobs, so the 'I wouldn't do this on my work time, therefore a childminder shouldn't' doesn't feel particularly valid as an objection - it's not apples and apples.

Childminders also go to the park, the library, the beach, soft play etc etc. But far better kids are locked up in a nursery doing proper educational activities!

What a yawn fest!

Don't use a cm then love and do all us cms a huge favour!

We prefer enthusiastic,sensible, jolly parents who have a healthy view of life being full and exciting for their children and our mindees. Lots of experiences and tons of fun.

Next please!

And how will you manage your school runs without taking your children?

Anyway this thread has made me laugh op. Have you name changed and want your elderly (52) year old mother to catch a man. That was a hilarious thread too today.

Have you had a sheltered life?

Do you run a nursery?

I don't want to pay money for my DDs to be taken round supermarkets (sorry.)

Why? I had a childminder when I was little and we would regularly go out to supermarkets, the post office, green grocers, bank etc. I used to help her - she'd let me put the stamps on the letters or find stuff on the shopping list and I loved it. And on the way home we'd go to the park or feed the ducks. Much better than just sitting in watching TV all day plus she got to run errands she needed to.

Yes clearly a very sheltered life, loving !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just because you think IABVU does not mean I am an awful person living a sheltered life but clearly some of you do, so carry on!!!!

Even if others thought I was NBU I wouldn't be surprised they wouldn't post as they couldn't be arsed with the comeback of being a minority. I have been guilty of that and I feel for cornish

Then again, had I used, was using or am a CM I would be doing my best to justify this too!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, agree this is a yawn fest! Yes it is none of my business, I don't care how other people choose their DC to be cared for, has no bearing on my life, my DC at school, each to their own.

Now I see why MN allows name changing and thread hiding, I will apply latter so bitch about me between yourselves and have a Lidl frozen deep pan spicy pizza!