What did you get with your grant?

[peckarollover]

I have just got my grant through and have £200 to spend in John Lewis baby department with up to £75 of it spent on toys.

Cant decide what to get!

What, they give you a certain amount for a certain shop???!!! We got a cheque and could spend on what we wanted as long as to do with childminding - bought stuff from ebay, car boots etc. Got playhouse for garden, multicultural toys, girls toys (as only had boys).

Depends on what you already have but you may need:

travel cot
car seat(s)
toys for different ages
highchair
changing mat
Dressing up stuff
Imaginitive play stuff
arts & crafts stuff (i spent loads on this!)

Loads more, just need to think!

twin buggy? or normal
buggy board?
reins?

baby cups/bottles
toddler cups
plates/bowls/cutlery
books (i.e. toddler taming, meal planners....)

toys for garden?

My grant was from our local council - not sure about peckarollover? Was surprised it was stated where you have to spend it!

Yeah its a bit of a bind to be honest as i need a double buggy but going to buy one second hand so i save money but have to use my own money as the grant is just valid in john lewis. I had the choice of john lewis and mothercare - daft really as i would get 10 x as much for the money if i could buy off ebay

I think it's silly, should just give money!!

I've been registered so long that I never got any grant. Am wondering if I should "give up", and then restart!!

PMSL - maybe you should!

I had to provide recipts, and then got a cheque back.
60 pounds (I still shudder at the thought) went on my doctor doing the health forms for my registration.

Safety film for glass im my windows leading to the garden as the OFSTED inspector asked me to put it on - she was worried about a ball through them.
dolls ( I didn't have any at the time),
equal opps books,
some extra safety equipment, like extra socket covers and stuff ,
Lots of arts and crafts stuff,
Durable plastic tablecloth to protect my table.

I had a grant about 6 months ago from our county council. It was for £200 and had to be spent in Mothercare or Eduzone. I bought 4 different kinds of 'bike' with it - a scooter, tricycle, two-seater and pedal-less one. All very popular. It was good to get some recognition as an 'old' childminder, as most of the grants go to new ones.

I had to provide receipts to my local Council and got a whopping £500 cheque - apparently I live in a deprived area!! (£200 usually but deprived area £500) well I am not going to argue! I got loads of stuff - low level storage units, tables and chairs, cushions, wall mounted bookcase, booster seat, flannels/towels, travel cot, sheets/blankets, books, arts and crafts stuff, imaginative play stuff, toys for different ages, potty, changing mat, nappy bin, safety equipment, plates/utensils, first aid kit, shed for garden to keep all garden tools out of reach of little hands and lots more that I can't think of right now.

Grant? Did anyone say 'grant'? How'd you manage that?