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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Childminders: how do you find before n after school?

8 replies

dorset · 25/08/2005 19:24

Hi everyone. JUst wondered how all of you find this. I got reg as a childminder in May 2005 but getting mindees has been difficult. i only really wanted to do under fives as my son is 15 month old and really wanted a toddler his own age. But this has not happened yet so i took on a 4 month old 3 days a week term time only.The only other job that has come up is to do before n after school for 3 girls 4, 8 and 9 years. All my toys are for under fives bit concerned i would not know how to entertain them. Any suggestions? How does anyone else find this age gap? Not sure whether to hang on for a toddler but again money is tight and don't know how long this would take. not had a phone call in 8 weeks. Thanks in advance.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
ThePrisoner · 25/08/2005 20:11

You could be honest with the parents and say that you don't have experience of this age range, but are willing to learn. You could hold out for one of the "right age", but if you need the money, I would take on these three.

You'd obviously have to get some toys/activities for them - can you talk to them/their parents and find out what sort of things they like to do.

A trip around the ELC or Woolies checking out the "suggested age" stuff might help, and visit car boot sales.

I have minded girls of this age - they love typical "girly" stuff (jewellry making, dolls house, Barbies and so on) but also anything to do with felt pens, playdough, painting, sticking etc, which you would be getting for older toddlers anyway. They also like daft games (like Twister!), or bingo, dominoes etc.

My minded schoolchildren (age range 4 - 10 years) always have a snack/drink after school, and often just want to "chill out". In the summer, just being in the garden (ball games?) with water or sand play keeps them happy! Indoors, we do have a games console and will watch some TV (but not for the whole time).

It can be hard to juggle schoolchildren with babies, but I leave out certain activities that they can help themselves to if I am busy.

FeelingOld · 25/08/2005 22:30

I find that when my mindees and my own children get home from school they do not like anything too structured cos that have had enough of that all day. We too have a snack and drink when we get in then I have lots of stuff about and they just do what they want really (the only restriction is computer/tv/playstation/dvds are limited to 1/2 hour in good weather and maybe a little longer if wet out/end of term so tired). We have lots of barbies, craft stuff, easel for drawing and chalking, books, puzzle books etc and lots of out door activites +shaded area for reading and playing board and card games etc. I find the girls easier to amuse than the boys of the same age and the older ones like helping the younger ones, I really enjoy my after schoolers and don't forget they may need minding during the holidays as well so that's even more money

blodwen · 25/08/2005 22:54

I would take on the girls. You will probably find they love the babies, and vice versa. My little ones LOVE going to school to drop off and collect big ones, (and none of them ever have any problems starting school themselves as it's so familiar). Presumably the fees for 3 before and after school are not much different to a full time under 5 anyway? Why don't you suggest a trial period for a few weeks and see how it goes? Good luck.

ayla99 · 26/08/2005 10:04

I had a similar situation when dd was small - I explained to the mum that I hadn't looked after this age group before but would start buying in more things once I got to know the girls interests. Ask them what they like to do at home? I never buy anything major until I've had the deposit from the parent (a friend bought loads of new toys for 2 new girls and then the mum changed her mind and she didn't get a penny).

This is popular:
Free Karaoke Player for PC You then need to search the internet for .kar files.

If you can't take them to choose their own books at the library look for Jacqueline Wilson, Narinder Dhami for the older girls.

Basic drawing pencils, felt pens & watercolours & paper.

Pack of cards

Puzzle books - word searches, crosswords etc.

Later on you might want to get some games like Blokus, Puzzle Sum, Twister Moves.

Means buying some craft stuff but the foam projects are pretty good: Do Crafts

Hama Beads Bead Merrily (you'll need to get the bigger ones for the 4 year old)

projects like making a play, comic or their own board game.

dorset · 26/08/2005 13:23

thankyou everyone for your suggesstions and experience. It has been a great help.

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Diddle · 26/08/2005 15:42

I found my after schoolers were really good with the younger ones, they liked helping and were great at playing with them. The older ones seem to love imaginitive games, barbies, dolls housem action man etc. they loved making up stories, and played role play games with each other even if there were toys all over the floor.

dorset · 26/08/2005 19:38

Do you provide a meal as well as snack and drink

OP posts:
HellyBelly · 26/08/2005 19:40

I would if required but so far my school aged children have just been for holidays and get picked up at 4pm so not required. I do cook for a younger mindee as she doesn't get picked up til 6.30pm

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