CM thinking of concentrating on school age children not early years some advise please.

[fizzfagins]

Hi there,
I have a dilemma and would really apreciate your advice/opinions.
I have been a registered childminder for 10 years since my eldest DD was a baby and now that my youngest DD has just started full time school I feel that I would like to concentrate on school age children as opposed to very young ones on the Early Years register. I have 2 new mindees starting next week (before and after school cover, school holiday cover when required)
one is 8yrs old (same class at Juniors as my own nearly 8 yrs middle DD) and the other just turned 4 at end of Aug, but he is also in full time school (same class as my youngest). The younger one is classed by Ofsted as a 'rising 5' and I know I am still required to follow EYFS with him - his parents are happy with this & we can build on school projects etc to plot his progress.
My problem is I have one young child on register 2.5yrs, been with me a year. While I have a fine working relationship with him I just feel now that after all this time minding (and my own growing up) that I have really come to the end of the line with young ones, playgroups etc (bought the T-shirt etc IYKWIM). In time I would like to train to become a Teaching Assistant and I am currently studying an NVQ3 Diploma via distance learning to support this when the children are at school, I'm a volunteer helper in my local Infant school. I don't want to discriminate against the 2yr old but feel it could soon be the time to 'move on' IYSWIM to older ones. My big question is would Ofsted allow me to come off the Early Years register and still keep the 'rising 5'.
The 2yr old is only part time (9 hrs one week and 26 hrs the next). Has anyone experienced a situation like this before? Advice/opinions would be welcome.

You still need to be on the Early Years register for your rising-5. Don't understand why you actually want to be taken off that register, just give notice to the younger child and explain to parents as you've explained to us.

At least that way, you can always go back to the younger ones in the future - Ofsted don't need to know you aren't minding in that age group at any one time.

I went to work in a playgroup last year, my early years coordinator told me not to forget to resign with Ofsted - a good job I didnt because the job lasted 6mths (i HATED IT!!) and I came back into minding virtually straight away.

Personally, I find the younger ones more rewarding - despite the paperwork! - and prefer to work through the day when my own ds (5) is at school, leaving me evenings and weekends to spend with him, but I know dome cms who prefer the before and after schoolies - each to their own.

Good luck!

Thanks for that,
I think the main reason for my concern is that I don't want the 2yr old's mum to accuse me of discrimination because of his age, although my working relationship with him is fine I do find his mum very hard to deal with at times. Hard to 'chat' to because she is quite closed to suggestions and almost 'defensive' if I try to tell her something she obviously doesn't want to hear.
She doesn't always respect boundaries herself and will hang about she'll turn up on time but then waste time negotiating with him to get into his buggy (instead of just rounding up!) and after a few late evening phone calls (nothing urgent)she texts me at any time! (at the lastest 11.30pm on a Sat eve). On one occasion my husband answered the phone when I was in the bath and she asked for me to call back on her mobile so as not to wake her child, irrespective of my 3 in bed! On the plus side her husband is easy to chat to (but she raises my hackles sometimes). It's what makes me want to move on from younger ones at the moment at least. Sorry for the 'rant'.

She can't accuse you of anything though as you won't be working as a CM during school hours so your 'hours of operation' are going to be different. No need to resign at this stage unless you really want to.

You don't have to explain yourself to the 2 year olds mum, you can write a notice letter without giving reasons. You can also stay on the early years register caring for the rising 5's without doing a huge amount of paperwork.

If you cant rant on here, where can you rant .

Have been there before with a parent who was soooo defensive, unreceptive and just wouldnt listen to the (justified) concerns I had about her child!! Dont let one experience put you off the littlies, I have one at the moment that is such hard work but another who is bright as a button, very advanced and such a delight to care for .

I made it clear to parents - after experiencing what you have! - that phone calls 'after hours' were emergency only, though a couple do txt or email - on the understanding they may not get an immediate reply.

Think they forget we aren't on call 24/7!!

Have him ready and in his buggy when she turns up - have done this before and the message was soon 'got'.

Agree with underpaid but I can also see that after 10 years of doing this, you might just want a little time outside of the baby/toddler phase. Good luck whatever you decide :)

Thank you everyone, I really appreciate your opinions and feedback - it helps talking to other childcarers because, with the best will in the world, no one else would really understand what we're up against sometimes. Over the years most of my families with little one have been great (they & my children been to each others b/day parties etc), but some like now let the overall picture down (although the child himself is fine). I've just been retyping all my EYFS policies, I think that's why it seems so one-sided in parents favour.

Thank you all once again for your time.

I currently do the 5-11 years age group only and I love it. My Early Years team would like me to apply for the 0-5 EYFS group, which I may do next year. However, for the time being, I am very happy with my school-age mindees. They are great!

Currently, I am on the childcare register and the voluntary (over 8s) register. It would be cheaper and easier to be on the Early Years and Childcare register as someone else mentioned.

A tip would be to ensure you have lots of grown up toys. I would recommend investing in a table-soccer ? everyone enjoys playing. Another well-liked piece of equipment is the TP climbing frame and den. Table tennis and a netball or basketball ring are also popular.

My other tip (which some people disagree but it is the given reason as to why the parents choose my service) is not to expect the older children to entertain the pre-schoolers. If you can, have a separate room for toys/games for over 5s and give them their own space. One of the parents said on my feedback form that it was good to hear their child saying they had fun and were able to complete their homework in peace. Apparently, in their previous setting, the school-age child was expected to play with the childminder's pre-schoolers almost exclusively until pick-up time. The school age child resented this after a while and the last straw (allegedly, I was not there myself) was when the school-aged child refused to play shops with one of the 3 year olds and was reprimanded as a result. By the sounds of things, the family left the other setting under a cloud.

I thought it odd when one of the parent's first questions was how many pre-schoolers I had in my care, but now I know why!

I got to get ready now for the school run.
HTH.