Cm's what have you learnt wtih time

[MUM2BLESS]

It will be 2 yrs next month since I started as a childminder.

I have just revised my polcies, with the help of mumsnet and other sources. When I first started minding I now realise that my policies were very basic. I have had experiences that has caused me to do things a lot different. ie late payment, now got late payment policy. Behaviour challenges now more thorough in what I included in my behaviour management polciy. These are just some of the things I will mention...

What are you doing differently with what you have experienced?

I think its like parenting, with four, I have learnt so much. with your first you try to do things like your told to. Then you realise that it does not really matter if you put the bib with Tuesday on, on friday. You have to do what works well for you

I have learnt that it's not the job I imagined it to be and that I don't like it very much. I won't be returning after maternity leave. I do agree with what you have said though, you learn what works and what doesn't after some time in the job and you tailor it to suit how you work best.

Thanks for that.

What you do also depends on the children you are dealing with. Some are more challenging than others.

I deal with four families. My experience has been so different with them all. Some are better at paying on time, some are more supportive with how you deal with their children, some are good at communicating... the list is endless.

As a childminder you have to be a step ahead all the time, as you have your own family to also deal with.

Setting boundries is so vital when you have children together from different backgrounds.

One of the most important thing for me has been getting the right hours that fit in with my family time. I have done 07.00 and hated it. I now will only do 07.30 until 18.00.

I have over time done very long hours and made the money. This was overwhelming at times especially trying to deal with my family too.

You realise WITH TIME that even though the money is needed you have to be comfortable with the hours, got to be right!!

GET PAID IN ADVANCE.. AND NEVER ALLOW MORE THAN ONE WEEKS ARREARS...

dont be afraid to say NO if it doesnt suit you or your family.

dont be afraid to set firm boundaries in your home.

get mindees ready for collection with shoes on and all ready to go to avoid the usual bad behaviour at pick up time.

Getting payment in advance.
Not being upset if people don't turn up for their first interview.
Not stopping advertising the vacancy until the contract is signed and deposit paid.
To always take spare clothes on outings.
That some parents and children are really lovely people.
That this is not a stop gap until I get another job, but a career.
That I loved what I did before, but I love this better.

what an excellent question
In 7 plus years of childminding I have learned:

get paid in advance (or full fees up front for adhoc/emergency care)

stick to your rules (terms) of business - fair enough be a bit flexi but be selective with which parents.

at the first bit of messing you around/taking advantage etc then nip it in the bud immediately

this is MY home and MY home will be respected as will i be - or on your bike

trust the gut instincts - you may be needing
the work but if your gut is saying no no no to a family then you will live to regret it

get to know colleagues - not just other minders but other professionals - this can be a lonely enough job

be professional at all times - work each day as if Ofsted were to drop by - remember that you may be being watched (by jealous colleagues for example)

go on that training - I have ended up doing my degree (BA Hons) and its the best thing I have ever done - not just for my work but for me (never thought little old brainless me- according to school, would do a degree)

take a pride in what you do - its a valuable and fantastic job. I love my job and each day is different. Not to mention what other job can you just pop off to the beach of the weather is good or just traipse through the forest with the kids and dogs. Brilliant

My P&P's have evolved dramatically over the years, I even had to do a quickie earring policy once when a parent insisted upon sending her 18 month old with HUGE hooped earrings - they scared me silly.

What great advice

As a childminder you are always learning, just like parents too. some things you learn from others, some you go through yourself. YOU GET WISE!

The body Love your advice
HSMM Your so right it is not a stop gap until I get antoher job, but a career
Pippin26 love bit about nipping in the bud (being messed around)

I have had kids showing off when parents arrive. I have even had to tell off one my mindees infront of mum as she was not behaving!!!

in the past 20 years I?ve learnt:
to appreciate the good times and not to dwell with bad times.
that most parents are lovely people.
that happy children mean happy parents.
that parents lead busy lives and want childcare kept simple.
I?ve learnt how to be assertive, I can say ?no?.
never take on a family if I have doubts- because it is important that I enjoy my job and there is always another (probably better) childminder somewhere that will take it on.
that being the best childminder I can be is very important to me.
you can never be complacent in this job.
that strong policies are important, and being able to enforce them is possible- but not always pleasant.
that policies must be reviewed often if they are to remain effective.
never take on a child without a full contract and all the paperwork in place.
I?ve learnt that a small number of parents can not identify their childs need for warm clothing on a cold day, waterproof shoes on a wet day or cover their childs shoulders/head on a summers day, but can always remember to put their makeup on and wear appropriate clothing themselves.

I?ve learnt that I hate: bad time keepers, and late payers, and people who plead poverty when they clearly are not living below the breadline.

i have been a registered childminder for 4yrs and i have learned -

how to say NO

i {now} ALWAYS get paid in advance

i know this is going to sound negative but the biggest thing i've learned is that childminding is not reliable work - just when you are comfortable and things are going swimmingly - something can come along and rock the boat - for example one mindee's parent may lose their job and then you are looking for a mindee to fill a particular spot.

i've also learnt to keep a professional distance from parents.

on a positive note - i have learned that it can be a fantastic fun job

This is a really possitive thread and has enforced my reasoning for registering.

Thanks Guys x

Thanks everyone for your advice. I wish I had this when I just started.

brilliant thread.. although most posters obviously love the job there are some bloody bad payers out there arnt there, nearly everyone said get paid in advance.. all been bitten that way I think..

I have not yet been bitten with the no-paying issue but I do have late payers and it is extremely frustrating, I have learned that for my next contract I will be making sure it mentions a late payment fee and I will use it.

I have learned to be selective with who I take on - go with my gut instinct and turn away anyone that doesn't fit with what I need, don't go mental trying to fit everyone in as it's not worth the extra hassle.

I used to do weekends, I don't now but I may return to it if I found the right mindee (baby rather than school-age kids)

I've formed the opinion that I prefer looking after younger kids to school-age kids (and I'm not ashamed to say it - I was before!) and I keep this in mind when people contact me. When looking after schoolies i'd now make sure they are the only ones I look after, I find it difficult to find activities that a wide age-gap enjoy and I feel too stretched iykwim.

I have learned to KEEP ON TOP OF PAPERWORK, having a mad dash to get everything done for inspection day is just not worth it!

I make sure that I organise at least one activity a day that I enjoy being a part of, this means I can really get involved with the kids, then we all enjoy our day and we're a better unit for it. Obviously all the other activities are strictly with the kids development needs/stages/enjoyment in mind!

I now try to sing songs/nursery rhymes every morning as it makes everyone feel part of the group and of course, has a lot of EYFS benefits.

totally agree with every thing lollipopmother just posted.. read, digest and learn...

Never trust fellow childminders.

love this thread (the body directed me to it, thanks :) I am reading, digesting and learning. )
tigersmum , I hope there is an exception to that ...ie. MNer CMs ?!?!

Oh of course. I have nice friends on here and not nice friends in RL. Well some are nice and some are not but how can you tell them apart? If anyone has a fool proof way of not getting taken as a mug by so called friends please do tell.

Get to know the other childminder before asking them for help, advice and support. I got flamed by one for saying something that she did not agree with. She said that I was entitled to my opinion but I "should not express it." Thanks for the support, I thought. I'm pleased to say that I have met many other kinder and more understanding childminders, who have a little more tact in dealing with a newbie like me.

I have been in this job for less than a year (and it probably shows) but the "never trust fellow childminders" comment made me smile.

I would like to think that other childminders can trust me....

Thank you for this thread - it's good to read all the lessons learnt.

It's weird seeing it from the other side. As a mum I always pay on the day and I always pay cash. But in return I got help when on the one occasion in four years when I got stuck on a closed motorway and all the mobile signals were busy so I couldn't even call. Nightmare.

I was lucky, my lovely childminder keeps an eye on the traffic reports, realised I was probably stuck and rang my DP, explained and lent him an extra carseat to get DS home.

My CM is a genius.

Do not buy resources at full-price (ie from shops) unless you really have to, you can pick up some excellent toys at car boot sales etc, just make sure they are safe to use.

Never EVER lose sight of the fact that your family need you, and they will need you to themselves sometimes rather than being shared - this goes for your own children AND your partner, they will both hate getting less attention than your mindees at times - childminding is just a job, family is everything.

Good Thread.

Say NO when you feel you must and don't say yes because you feel obligated to.

Keep a professional distance from parents - it can get messy otherwise

Don't let your parents take you for granted.

Be kind to your child(ren) during long, busy summer holidays because they feel the strain, too

Take leave and don't apologise for doing so!

And Grow a Pair when you are planning to tell your parents that you are no longer available on Wednesday afternoons because you are going to university to further your education [nervous twit] [better do it soon]

New2cm, I am the one offering advice and support and being taken for a mug. Well no more, I am going it alone from now on so lets see how they get on without me. Of course that dosnt go for all the people I have helped on here, any help ask away.

tigersmum

I do sympathise. I had offered my opinion and support, but I got it chucked back. I was only trying to be friendly and provide comfort to another childminder, but apparently I was giving the wrong advice and the wrong type of support.

I have backed off now and I don't offer any advice or opinion, although I listen and read a lot. One drawback is that I am now a little nervous about asking for advice in case I get my head bitten off again!

new2cm, you can ask me anything anytime. I dont bite.

we are all learning!! Thanks for you advice everyone!!

I have learnt that it's no use buying a cheap duoble pushchair when a couple of years down the line your knees ache, your back creaks and your arms protest at every step up and down the steep hilly area that you live. It is much easier to buy a more expensive pushchair that is as light as a feather to push. I love my new double pushchair