to think that if you are a paid childminder, you should spend your days actually looking after the children....

[NewAgain]

....and not running around town, doing your shopping, meeting mates for coffee and taking your own children to after school activities?
I know a few childminders in my area, who I see regularly around town and on the school run.

Their minded children seem to spend half the day strapped into triple buggies and whinging whilst chilminder goes about her business around town.

Now whilst this is surely completely normal things for people to do with their own children, I would be pretty p!ssed off if I was paying somebody else to do this with my child.

AIBU to wonder if the parents of these children realise that these people are being paid about 4 times over to just drag several children around with them on their normal daily routine?

I would much rather my Dc were out and about in the real world,than some kind of weird pre-school bubble.Not Sure the OP understands what a CM is supposed to be about.

I knew a childminder who did aerobics once a week and put her charge(s) in the creche. The parents were fine with this. The didn't pay the cm for this hour but paid the £1 that the creche charged.

When i used a CM i didn't care that i was paying her to go meet her friends if she wanted to. I was paying her to look after my kid and that's what she did, very well too i may add.

My DD loved her CM and looked forward to spending the time with her.

I think i was paying her about £3 per hr but that was about 15 years ago.

Firstly when you say 'those of us that work for a living' are you implying that we dont work? Secondly im assuming you mean you work a cushy 9-5 job with paid holidays and lunch breaks every day and earn a good wage?
I personally work 10 hours a day with the kids then do paperwork after they have gone home. I dont have a peaceful lunch break (barely have time to grab a sarnie)nor do i have paid holidays.
After expenses i earn around £7500 a year but i dont care as i love working the children.
Before you come on these forums and start stupid theads on things you dont know anything about you could actually use the internet to find out what we actually have to do on a daily basis.
If we fancy a coffee once a week there is no harm in that!
Nuff Said

i am very lucky, my CM gets paid £6ph and takes my child to a different play centre everyday she is there for play and learning and activities, then home for lunch and nap before she is picked up. She fills in a diary every day so i know exaclt what she has eaten and what activities she has done and where they went. other than picking up her daughter from nursery and dropping her there she does not go shopping or to cafes ect. i would not be happy, she is woking looking after my child, when i am at work i am not paid to go shopping ect i am paid to do my job.

Childminders are doing their job, we are paid to provide children with a home environment experience, which means going shopping etc as thats what they would do if at home with parents. If people dont want children to be doing "normal" day to day activities then they should send them to nurseys etc.

I think people need to relaise how much work childminders actually do before they start silly threads.

yy workingmother and part of the care provided should include going out and about in the community, going to shops and cafes, the library, meeting people from all walks of life

You horrible woman!!!
There are childminders out there - lots and lots and lots that work so very hard for a living, they take pride in what they do and have to dedicate their time and life to live up to expectations of people like you, parents, damn parents who turn their noses up as they are expected to pay for childcare (I am laughing at this moment!) What?, Do you expect childminders to do it for free?... most childminders are parents themselves and love the children they care for like their own and also decide to mind so that they can stay at home and also earn money... don't you dare make it sound as if they do not work hard for their £3 per hour, because, oh yes, that is something you would never know about!

I think someone like you should stop complaining about childminders who are totally professional persons and look at your own life and wonder why, oh why, are you so angry....?? maybe you should stay at home and look after your own children (if you are a parent) and take your own children to the park and on outings to the shop to help chose bread and milk, or even better to the library... have you ever thought about doing this with your children?? Or are you too busy and sit them in front of the TV? Maybe in your eyes that would be the best thing... yeahhh the tv! Nice and quite your children are while the TV is on (disgraceful)
Maybe you think it is better for your child to be sitting up the table in the c/m home and doing DotstoDots or even mathematical sums or even reading the daily newspaper?? As long as you don;t have to do it?

Well so sorry to disturb you but that is not what childminders are about ...

So if you don't like it you know what to do.... yes, get a nice life and stop being angry at decent people that work hard to get a Satisfactory or good or outstanding grade from ofsted to show that they like and do well with children. You would never know the hard work childminders have to put into twhat they do,,, it is not 9 to 5 ... it is continuous.

YABVU

I have used childminders for 3 of my 4 children so far. Over 18 years I have had the pleasure of getting to know several lovely women who have looked after my babies beautifully.

I am actually less likely to use a CM now because I do not want a super dooper superwomen whose house is like a kindergarten and who spends hours 'teaching' my kids.

I want an auntie or a granny type who will look after my child like one of their own.

Take them shopping, to the park, to the cafe and to let them watch a bit of ceebebies.

I can teach my child the abc and social skills. I want my child to be happy and safe and comfortable and go to a couple of play groups in the week.

FFS childminders in my area get paid 3.50 per hour! Lots of parents from the more affluent part of the borough bring their kids up this end because the know they will get childcare on the cheap.

As long as a CM is loving, fair, doesnt swear or smoke by my kids, doesnt have two staffies and a doberman, is not racist or violent and lets me know how my baby is doing - I am happy.

If you want a nanny - pay for one. Dont go for the cheaper alternative then whinge about it.

Good on you Mollymop! The EYFS is there to help all childcarers and the parents. At the end of the day, all children when they start reception will be having their own individual learning journeys and in a few years time when they are all grown up, its a fantastic 'keepsake' from their early years.
I used to do a diary for my first child and even now, have a look through it and it brings back great memories and this was almost 8yrs ago
We are all working together (or should be) in the end for the benefit of each child so that they get the best out of their time in childcare.

My CM used to take DS shopping etc.

She also used to take him at 5 mins notice when DD had a crisis and had to be taken into hospital.

She would also allow social services and his birth mum to pick him up for contacts at her house. Way beyond the call of duty.

She gave up CM after DS left because she just couldnt keep up with all the new regs and rules.

So another great old school CM lost.

Its good to have the choice of the sort of CM you want. Nothing against those who go for it activity/early learning etc wise - good on them. But that style is not for everyone.

YABU I would rather use a CM than a nursery. Also, my DS and other toddlers his age love being in the buggy and would happily be wheeled around for hours.

I love my DS's CM almost as much as he does! She does somtimes take him shopping when he's her only charge for the day and we both swap stories about how much fun he has in the trolley! It has never crossed my mind to think that she should only do this in her own time. I pay her £30 a day ffs, I don't think that she has to be full on activity this and that with him. If she was, he'd probably be over-stimulated and I would certainly feel inadequate when he was in my care.

She does also takes him to indoor play places, toddler groups, round to other CMs houses, to the park etc. She recently got rated outstanding by OFSTED and bloody deserves it, she works hard and provides a wonderful environment for all her charges - but obviously loves my DS the most

I have joined this site just to post on this thread.
As a childminder busting my a** to do the best for the children and do what OFSTED require(just finished paperwok at 10.15 on a Friday night)I am incredibly offended by the OP.
I, and most of the childminders in my network, attend toddler groups every day of the week. While there I might talk to someone and shock horror even have a coffee! ( in the hot liquid zone of course!)
Not to mention the five Saturdays since January that I have spent in a conference room on training which I don't get paid for, but choose to spend precious time away from my own children because it will help me provide a better learning experience for my mindees.
You really shouldn't comment on things you know nothing aboout.
On a lighter note, it is lovely to see how much many of you value your childminder and that the profession is (generally) held in such high esteem.
and breathe!

My dcs always knew everybody in the local community, far more people than I did, because of being taken around by the childminder. They were also beautifully traffic trained by her, since she took all her mindees out and about every day and always on foot. And I found travelling with ds a piece of cake because the CM taught him to nap in his buggy.

I see the OP (after reading the whole thread through with my mouth hanging open) hasn't come back after posting her assumptions (or if she has I must have missed it in my amazement).

TBH I actually find the preposterously ridiculous assumptions in the OP quite funny. I have to find them funny because really now... the OP honestly doesn't seem to have a clue. I have to laugh or I'd get quite cross.

Thankyou to all those who have come on here and defended their childminders (can i urge you to tell them Monday morning or whenever you see them next just how appreciated they are).

Is it any wonder us minders feel so undervalued at times and its no wonder there are a few angry responses on here.

As already been stated - depends where you are in the country as to the rate of pay. Every childminder has to work within different (set) ratios. Some childminders (like me) currently can't fill their spaces (due to various reasons - foremost being economic climate and lack of demand) and therefore not getting the vast sums of money some people think we do.

The money we do get is money we earn - we work very hard for. Quite apart from actually caring for the children, we put in many hours outside of childcare hours doing planning, learning journals, cleaning equipment, risk assessments, training and going on courses (often at our own expenses - evenings and weekends), getting equipment ready for next session, preparing activities. In fact everything a TEAM of teachers or nursery nurses in bigger settings will do within their PAID hours.

It has been asked why don't we get paid for it - well I have already noticed that there are nearly always shocked and horrified comments about how much we already charge, what we charge for and when we charge - so if we factor in all these unpaid hours are you willing for our fees to go up to incorporate it? No I don't think so. Not to mention all the outgoings we incur. Many childminders do not get the grants, funding or bursaries larger settings do, larger settings often get cover-money so that one of their staff can go on training and they can cover that staff member with a stand in for the day.

Childminders are HOMEBASED carers - quite different to bigger settings. We have the freedom to be so much more flexible, we can scoot of down town or to be beach on a whim on a nice day. We can go and have lunch in the local supermarket after shopping for the ingredients we need to bake some cakes for the children to take home to mummy and daddy.
I ensure that I socialise with my colleagues for several reasons (not in any particular order):

a) so that I get a bit of adult company
b) so that the children meet and socialise with other children
c) this is networking and i use it to build back-up minders - people that the children are familiar and comfortable with just in case I am sick or on holiday the parents have the peace of mind of back up care arrangements

Yes we meet at soft play - yes the children will meet up and go and play - no adults needed for this type of interaction so i grab the chance, whilst watching the children in a safe and secure environment to have a coffee with friends (minders).
Of course if the children want me to play I will, if the child requires me I am straight there.

Occasionally I might just meet up with a non-minding friend.

Please don't make assumptions about minders and please don't tar us all with the same brush - its wrong and offensive.

there are some naff minders out there and i am the first to complain (to the right people) about them, but there are many many more hardworking, dedicated, loving childminders who will care for your child with love, enthusiasm, passion and dedication all for about £3ph. that minders family will embrace that child and often their family, the minders co-workers and friends often embrace that child.

Hi there is good and bad in every profession I am a childminder currently working with an assistant caring for 6 children we ahve a waiting list which is full at the present time i come highly recommended
I am studying for a degree in childcare and education at the moment i take my career very seriously as i am sure most childminders do
I take the children to the park to the farm local libary for storytime the library come out to me once a month to read the childrem stories.
We play with playdough paint have lots of fun in the garden which is packed with wonderful resources we glue sing songs dance have stories play small world play we have role play, cooking activities and so much more i wish i had time to go to coffee shops
in fact i hardly get time to have a coffee break
But saying that i love my job the children i care for and all the parents i work with who are lovely, my job brings different joys with each and every day and yes we are well paid but we certainly earn it with my qualifications i could getb a job with out the pressures of childcare but i wouldn't want to

OP - you are basing your opinions either on a very lapse CM who you have been able to observe over a long period of time - or, more likely, a snapshot of an ordinary CM whose movements for the remainder of the day you are not aware of.

You speak of normal daily routines - I bet you have no idea what the normal daily routine of a childminder is.

Lets look at the school run issue - does a parent of a school age child with a sibling toddler leave the toddler behind or with someone else whilst they take their older child to school? Are childminders only supposed to care for pre school children?

Taking part in community life at toddler groups, library visits, short visits to shops and any othe out door activity is all part of developing a childs overall learning.

I dare say that there are some CM's out there who don't take the job seriously and do as little as possible. Thats the reason for inspections and the introduction of the eyfs to ensure that with any luck the CM's that are no good are identified by Ofsted. If you are so concerned about the CM you are discussing then you are free to contact Ofsted and voice your concerns - here's the number 08456 404040.

Also forgot to say i got Outstanding in my last ofsted inspection and worked very hard to acheive this making sure i always give the highest possible degree of care to the children i care for.

I would like to add that my cm got a "good" when last inspected.

I don't care what Ofsted say tbh. Imo (and more important in dd's opinion) she is *outstanding" and we would be lost without her.

My dgs typical day with cm:
Help feed new lambs,do,school run with big children,toddler group with cm and other mindee[snack there],walk through country lanes home,Play with toys till lunch-all home made fresh food.Then painting/playdough/models-afternoon snack then activity like baking,outdoor play when weather ok then school run again.Cm is a star and has a waiting list.

I think the proof of the pudding is in the eating. If the child is growing and thriving with that childminder, then I don't think there's a problem with them spending some of their time following the CM around their normal daily activities, after all, children learn in any and all circumstances, whether at a trip to the chemist or in one-to-one time with their carer (CM or parent). However, if the CM is carting them around all day every day and giving them no real attention or playtime, etc, - and this would show in the child's behaviour and relationship with the CM, wouldn't it? - then I think that's a real problem.

I would always choose a good childminder over a good nursery for a child under 2. IMO they need that level of personal care, and if they can't get it from their parents or other family members, a nanny or CM is the next best option. I was very lucky to have an excellent CM with DC1 and, now that we've moved area AND I have to go back to work earlier, I am really desperately hoping I can find another one as good as her for DC2.

Also am by your hourly rates - where I lived it was £5, including the CM's holiday pay.

YABU

Nurseries can be a bit deceptive, I have found, in the way that they present their activities - I have visited many, and on two occasions was present while structured craft activities were taking place - it bascially consisted of the two nursery workers talking to each other whilst making a child complete a "sticking" picture - they did most of the actual gluing and sticking, the child input was minimal - and yet at the end of the day, the child would be coming out with something to show their parents, giving the impression they took part in a meaningful activity. I'm not bashing nurseries, as there are some excellent ones, but it is a mistake to assume that what they do is actually any more stimulating than going food shopping with CM!!

I chose cm care for DS1 - and will be using it for DS1 and 2 when I go back to work - because I want my children to be in a home environment. I have used two childminders, DS has loved both of them, and we see them as part of our extended family! Yes, my last CM did spend a lot of time getting together with other CM's and she never did crafts because she hated the mess, but she adored my DS, and they both cried when he left her care.

CM's pay is very low for what they do. I pay my CM £3.60 an hour to look after and feed DS, but she also treats him with love, and that is worth more than I could ever afford!!

Hi I have childminded for 25 yrs and yes I do go into town for gymboree,toddler groups,picnics in the park which unfortunately is through the town, and yes you will see me in shops probably buying things for the childrens picnic and also you will see me in the arts and craft shops encouraging the children to make choice bout what they would like to do and what we need to buy. And yes I do take the children into coffee shops etc at least once a week for snacks or lunch, and I think it does the childen good to learn how to behave in public places and social skills and learning to pick from menus etc and yes they do behave better with us a lot of the time and no they do not go with their parents because apparently they are being taken round the shops with them shopping etc which their parents cant manage in the week with being at work. And if we dont do school runs how are the other children we look after get to us and if they were at home with their parents they would have to go nurseries etc picking up and dropping of other siblings. My parents know exactly what I do with their children and that is show them the real world, we do not hibernate away and never mix even though with all the excess paperwork we have to do that could be easy done.I travel every on bus and yes that means standing out in the cold and so do lots of other people at least we can talk about what is going and watch things un like when stuck in traffic jams and if we dont bus we walk and yes we are legally supposed to let them experience all kinds of life and this includes the boring activities ie shopping etc as well as interesting trios out etc. After 25 yrs Ive never had complaints and I dont intend changing the way I do my job for anyone. There is enough choice in childcare available for parents to pick which they want and if they choose a childminder so be it. We are lucky we have all this time we are supposed to have with all the paperwork, observations,risk assesments etc we have to do. So please feek free to make your choice but dont criticise all the others thank you