Advice needed childminders

[grandmainmypocket]

I have a little child who I look after only 3 hours a week. He doesnt sit down for more than a few minutes at a time. He whizzes between different toys and activities and doesnt sit if you're trying to involve him in something slightly structured.

I know play should be child-led and due to how often I have him I dont have much influence. Im not quite sure what to do. I want to make sure that he's enjoying himself and that he gets a little something from his sessions with me. It would also help for when I get inspected if Im asked how I tackle this situation - to have even the foggiest idea what to reply.

Hope someone can offer some advice.

it's tricky when they are with you for shorter periods, isn't it

what toys and activities does he whizz between?

He loves cars mainly.
Mainly though he just loves whizzing between all toys and throwing them sometimes out of their storage box.

Occasionaly (very rarely) he will sit but its so rare.Also he doesnt really listen to me when I ask him to stop unless I ask quite a few times and I actually have to go and stop him. This makes it a bit tricky,because I know kids naturally wont always listen. But I find the combination of the two traits makes the time quite challenging.

He is adorable though.

Activities I try to lay out for them (both 2 and halfish). Drawing, painting, building blocks, large lego. Also attempt singing at the end of the day, to end session on but not interested at all.
I dont try intricate activities. the time with having to feed them in between and a quick pop out doesnt allow it.

how old is he?

About 2 and half

would suggest water play as lots of pouring type activities

maybe gloop made with cornflour and water it seems he wants to investigate have you got any treasure baskets?

what about using straws to blow paint

do you know much about schemas?

so cars - you could extend interest in cars by:

using them in a sandbox, in a tray of shaving foam, to paint with

counting, sorting by colour, size, lining up, link with a ceebeebies-type programme (Roary?)

introducing a car transporter, using positional language (in, on, under, behind, in front)

cut out pictures of cars from magazines/catalogues, glueing and sticking, collages

Any good so far?

Throwing and scattering - he might be exploring trajectory, so you could support this by

bean bags (safer to throw, play buttons cascade satifyingly from a pot, bubbles to chase and catch, straight line stuff (sending a ping pong ball down a kitchen roll inner) water squirter

Whaddya think?

Thankyou so much. Definitely worth a try and great ideas even for my other mindees and my own child.

I hadnt heard of schemas before, I'll try to look into that further. We have soft balls, but when we start throwing them he runs off.

I think a week is a long time for young children, so maybe some activities I should make a regular feature.