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Paid childcare

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

childcare nightmare...what would you do??

13 replies

littlemisslost · 25/10/2010 15:14

My dd used to go to afterschool club but this year I was too late putting my requests in and the places filled up. I was in a real mess and eventually found a childminder. She has been doing it for years and is known to the school. My dd has been going to her three evenings per week now for the last 5 weeks and she hates it, and I have to say im really not sure about her myself, not in s sinister way or anything but I get the feeling she can't wait to get rid of the children and is quite stressy and not enjoying the work at all?
She has reduced her hours saying she only works til 5pm now which is quite hard for us to make sometimes but this isnt the only problem, My daughter had a CM before school who was lovely and says she misses my dd and I wish I didnt have to leave her but she doesnt do school pick ups. After school clun is obviously full of dd friends and serves toast or sandwiches and drinks etc after 4pm and lots to do etc.
This CM wont even give dd a piece of toast and from school lunch time until 5pm is a long time I think? The other day she was carefully cutting out a litle picture from an old catalogue and I waited for her to finish, when she finished she had done a really neat job of cutting out this little spaceship and the CM asked for it back to put in the box!!?? its a cut out of an old catalogue for goodness sake.How tight can you be??? I wouldnt mind but she charges MORE than school club, wont give even a piece of paper, never mind anything to eat and finishes an hour earlier! Hmm

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bloodsuckingLOONEY · 25/10/2010 15:30

That's terrible that she doesn't provide a snack (big kids are sooooo hungry after school!). I couldn't always give toast as we may spend up to an hour playing after school if it's nice but I pack snacks for all 6 children and we eat them whilst out and if not, would happily do a piece of toast after school. She DOES sound tight too. Poor dd :( What exactly does she do with them after school pickup?

Shame about the after school club. Is there another childminder maybe?

BTW, I'm on a week off (having a break from decorating) otherwise would probably be on a day out right now! Wink

DiggeryGravery · 25/10/2010 15:45

I think not feeding hungry children is cruel, in those circs.

Presumably you're looking for another childminder?

bloodsuckingLOONEY · 25/10/2010 15:47

Actually, that's surely not meeting the 'Welfare Requirements' (I can't check my folder for wording as everything packed until we've done the room) - can any childminders confirm this? It could be reportable to Ofsted. Has she really actually said NO to providing any kind of snack after school?

HSMM · 25/10/2010 15:50

I'm on a day off :).

School children are always after food when they get home, in my experience and I would give her some kind of snack (a slice of toast certainly doesn't sound excessive). I can understand that she may not want her to eat in front of the smaller children, if they are having tea before they go home, but if they leave at 5, I doubt it. However, is there any mention of food in your contract? Maybe this CM has never done after school snacks and doesn't see a reason to change?

I am looking on the positive side about the cut out shape and hoping it was cut out specifically for a collage activity they were doing the next day - I do sometimes keep some bits, so the children can add them to something bigger?

littlemisslost · 25/10/2010 17:07

well I have written to the manager of after school club begging for a place asap, dd has been going there last 2 years since she started reception so they know her well. I feel awkward as CM will be at the school everyday. I am sure she takes good care of the children in many ways she is just very different to what we have experienced. She does give dd a drink of squash and a biscuit but dd says she asked for something to eat and cm says "no you will have tea when you get home" but as I said...I think to expect a child of 6 to go from 12.15 to 5pm with just a biscuit is a bit rough, I could provide a second packed lunch I guess??
I don't want to start another cm and then have to move dd AGAIN when she gets a school club space, and dd says she doesnt want to go to ANY cm she just wants to go to school club so I think this one has put her off Sad

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bloodsuckingLOONEY · 25/10/2010 17:16

You could pack a few extra snacks if she really won't budge. As for this CM putting her off, could it possibly be that she just wants to go to the after school club instead and that's all she can think about? Especially as her friends go there.

Blondeshavemorefun · 25/10/2010 17:16

tbh if she does get a biscuit then its not that bad to go 12-5 without food

often as im tearing about doing school runs/homework then tea, then there have been days when my 3 have lunch 12ish and nothing till 5 then tea

you do need to change this cm, if nothing else the fact she is stingy finishes at 5pm

bigdonna · 25/10/2010 18:22

do any parents of your dd friends pick up and could help u out until u get a place,i dont do pick ups but my friend does she gives them ,pasta,pizza,sandwiches,yoghurts,fruit at 4pm when they get in from school and they go home at 5pm,she doesnt charge for snacks either.she also has lots of activities for her after schoolies too.hope you get aplace soon.

littlemisslost · 25/10/2010 20:15

well she seems to take them straight to the park after school if its dry which is good, my dd said they are not allowed into the garden at her house and they are not allowed in the front room......which basically means they are confined to the back room which is next to the kitchen and about 10ft square!? she does have well organised toys in boxes and a little table and chairs. She is a single parent who has been doing this for years in a very small house and I guess she just has her way of doing things and not letting it take over her house/life?
No there is nobody who can collect dd for interim period Sad She is going there all day tomorrow for first time so I will be intrested to see exactly what they/she does?

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bigdonna · 25/10/2010 20:18

good luck we are going to see toy story 3 tomorrow which will be nice,

littlemisslost · 25/10/2010 20:24

lol well I am pretty damn sure she wont be taking them to the cinema! Its a real shame because i so wanted this to work.....I am not over reacting am I? she is being slightly unreasonable?

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bigdonna · 25/10/2010 22:50

i do think she is being unreasonable with the food and taking a picture off your dd that she hAD CAREFULLY CUT OUT,was that necessary she should have been praised for cutting it out.i only stop my mindees taking my toys as they never come back.today we made cakes they all took 6 cakes home each.sorry there are some lovely cms who will care for your dd like you would like them too good luck

frakkinstein · 26/10/2010 07:40

Is there anyone at school who could pick up your DD and drop her at her old CMs? This woman sounds very rigid and a bit tight!

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