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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to expect my childminder to feed my child

28 replies

tiredlady · 17/04/2008 17:48

My old childminder who looked after my 2 boys used to feed them lunch and tea - sometimes sandwiches, sometimes cooked dinners). I now have a 9 mo dd and am returning to work next week. My new childminder (old one is retired now) says I have to provide all food for her. Is my new childminder being unreasonable, or was my old childminder super fantastic - in which case I obviously didn't appreciate her enough

OP posts:
hercules1 · 17/04/2008 17:49

I think that lots of childminders say this. I assume she is willing to feed the food but you have to provide it.

pointydog · 17/04/2008 17:50

Every childminder will have their own terms and perferences re meals, I'd've thought.

It's something you need to check out before hiring rather than a case of being unreasonable.

SheikYerbouti · 17/04/2008 17:50

Mine does provide food, but you have to pay extra (we don;t because they are onl;y there for the morning) You can provide food if you want though.

bonkerz · 17/04/2008 17:53

I know of alot of childminders who have stopped providing food as you now have to register with the council as a food establishment if you provide anything other than snacks and drinks! Its a huge issue in my area.

Katisha · 17/04/2008 17:59

Yes mine has just informed me that now she has to keep all food receipts. It's barking it really is.

ellideb · 17/04/2008 18:03

It depends on the terms of the contract. I'm a registered Childminder and I do provide meals and snacks which are included in the my fees but I don't have to. It depends on what she wants to do. The only time I don't provide is for babies under the age of 1 year. It just depends on the type of care she's offering. You should have checked this out in the beginning.

shineoncrazytalula · 17/04/2008 18:07

thats right bonkerz. i was looking into registering as a c/m but the food thing put me off.

hana · 17/04/2008 18:09

I even have to provide snacks
have even been told that the girls were hungry one day and that I should provide bigger lunches and more snacks

unbelievable I say

ellideb · 17/04/2008 18:09

I don't have that problem about registering as I food establishment, I don't understand what you mean by it. I'm registered in Wales though, under CSSIW and not England's OFSTED so maybe that's why?

bonkerz · 17/04/2008 18:10

I actually gave up childminding in August last year because it had got silly. I had been looking after 2 x 3 year olds since they were 6 weeks old and it just kept getting harder and harder thanks to OFSTED. The fees going up and the new inspections, the food reg thing and the 'new' teaching courses every few weeks were meaning i never stopped!

bonkerz · 17/04/2008 18:14

ellideb, Basically you have ot have oyur kithcen and your hygiene inspected by the local enviromental health which means separate chopping boards/knives/
refrigeration/storage etc is all scrutenised! Its bad enough having other kids art work and OFSTED posters up all over your walls without having kitchen turned into and industrial restaurant!

MaureenMLove · 17/04/2008 18:16

Me too Bonkerz! I've given up due to Ofsteds rediculous rules and regs!

I fed some and not others, depending on what the parents needs were. Its not unreasonable though, its just obviously the way she works. I do hope she'll use her brain and feed your LO if you foget to put food in the bag though, not like hana's. That's comes under the subheading of neglect, doesn't it!

ellideb · 17/04/2008 18:19

mmm sounds tricky bonkerz. I don't think CSSIW are like that at all. I was inspected in december and my kitchen was left alone really. another difference i've noticed is that OFSTED have a grading system of how good your service is ranging from poor to excellent, is that right? CSSIW don't do that. I think they are more childminder friendly (for the time being anyway!)

bohemianbint · 17/04/2008 18:20

Mine does lunch and lots of toast. I used to send his tea if he was staying all day though.

cory · 17/04/2008 19:53

I've employed 3 childminders by now, all 3 very conscientious, but not one of them has done meals. So your old one was probably superfantastic. I sent in sandwiches, not a problem. Particularly as I got dh to make them before he went to work in the morning .

alibubbles · 18/04/2008 09:15

I do provide all meals and snacks as I find it easier than having loads of lunch boxes, same as I provide all nappies, cream, change of clothes, gloves hats, wellies, sand shoes and waterproofs etc, because I don't want all the enormous nappy bags people seem to carry around cluttering up my hall.

I like the children to eat the same as it is simpler, I adapt my menus for 3 children, nut free, dairy free and egg free.The result is a stress free service for the parents, and they appreciate it. I do weaning food too, batch cook and freeze for babies, discussed with the parent first. All they have to do is hand over the baby!

The children all eat everything that I give them, which gives me a lot of pleasure and enjoyment in my role as childminder.

I think it is stressful enough for working parents getting ready for work, without having to remember if you have put in enough rice crackers etc!

alibubbles · 18/04/2008 09:18

P.S. Cory, ( whisper) you do not employ your childminder, we are self employed and charge fees, we do not get a salary or wages, we pay our own tax and national insurance.

You employ a nanny, housekeeper, aupair, but not a childminder. ( Just that it can rile some childminders, being referred to as employed by the parent)

OrmIrian · 18/04/2008 09:19

Mine did once they were old enough to eat 'real' food, but I paid for it. Pita having to take your own.

IdrisTheDragon · 18/04/2008 09:25

When we had a childminder, she provided all the meals, but I appreciate that she was very lovely .

theressomethingaboutmarie · 18/04/2008 09:28

My childminder has said that until dd (7 months old) is fully weaned, that we should provide her food and drinks. I'm fine with that as I want to ensure that we are slowly introducing new foods and flavours to her (she's very small for her age and a pfb so we like to keep a close eye on her )

Rachmumoftwo · 18/04/2008 09:28

My child minder was willing to give my 2 food and drink. I was a bit fussy about what they had though, so would buy the things I liked and give them to her. I think if you are fussy, it is only fair to provide the food. She gave it al up too, too much paperwork and hassle from OFSTED. They lose a lot of good CMs.

Pinkranger · 18/04/2008 09:33

i rpovide all meals as part of the coast, as someone said i have to cook/feed my own so it just makes sense

Pinkranger · 18/04/2008 09:34

"cost"

hennipenni · 18/04/2008 09:43

I will provide breakfasts as long as child is with me at 7.30, any later and I don't have time. I don't provide lunches as I have a very tight schedule at lunchtime between nursery pick up and then another drop off which leaves me approx 20 mins to get 2 3 yr old and 1 18 month old fed. All my parents have been understanding about this and prepare packed lunches for them. i will provide dinner if they are here at 5pm if needed. I provide all snacks and drinks.

IndigoMoon · 18/04/2008 09:47

i send in sandwiches. she did say she could do a hot meal if we wanted but its not a problem doing sandwiches and its only the same as he would get when home with me.

he does get two jaffa cakes though and i only put one in the other day and there was tears and everything so i have been put on a warning for that!!

i am joking about the warning, i like my childminders and ds loves them and the other day was moaning at me cos he wanted to go and i was still faffing about.