minimum age for a mindee?

[Strix]

Is there a minimum age at which ofsted will allow a childminder to look after a mindee? i ask because I seem to see a lot of people take from 3 months and up and just wonder if this is dictated by Ofsted? Or just common practice?

I am looking for someone to look after a young baby so I can work off some pregnancy fat and get back into my work clothes by the time baby is 3 months old. So childcare from 3 months onward is useless.

Am I taking up a lost cause?

Hey Strix

Congratulations...where are you based? Im not a CM but could help out a couple of mornings a week, a mum myself and a nanny with 15yrs plus exp, CRB, First Aid and I adore babies!
Let me know if I can help!!
xx

A lovely nursery had DD1 when she was 4 days old for me to attend a meeting at work and then took her from 8 days but there were very exceptional circumstances.

This may be something you've discounted, but is there a gym near you with a creche? Mine (local authority) takes babies from 8 weeks...

I am in Twickenham. I could probably walk a lot more with the pram, but... it's January. Why would I want to do that when I could leave baby in warm cosy indoors. And I quite like my gym, and would like to use it.

Where are you starexpat?

Ideally I would like to drop DS2 into the creche at the gym, but they won't take him until 3 months.

I hadn't thought of a post natal class that includes babies, but it's probably something dreadfully boring like pilates and I can't see that will do much to burn fat.

I'm not sure how I managed to gain only 5 puonds. Definitely a first for me. But, I should also so I wasn't really skinny to start with so could still do with the exercise (within sensible limits of course)

I am in Twickenham. I could probably walk a lot more with the pram, but... it's January. Why would I want to do that when I could leave baby in warm cosy indoors. And I quite like my gym, and would like to use it.

Where are you starexpat?

Ideally I would like to drop DS2 into the creche at the gym, but they won't take him until 3 months.

I hadn't thought of a post natal class that includes babies, but it's probably something dreadfully boring like pilates and I can't see that will do much to burn fat.

I'm not sure how I managed to gain only 5 puonds. Definitely a first for me. But, I should also so I wasn't really skinny to start with so could still do with the exercise (within sensible limits of course)

Sorry about double post.

DH works away so he's no good for evening duty. He has, however, agreed to take baby Sat morning whilst I take big kids to gym (they can go to classes). I'll take baby too when he is 3 months.

So, basically, the crunch is getting back into work clothes before work.

Oh, and I'd like to wear some existing clothes before work as well. I stretched some jeans on around my bug fat ass today and oh was that ever uncomfortable. Mayde my scar itch big time. Basically, I just want to wear my clothes.

I have PM'd you because i don't want to put my exact location on here. :)

You're a bit further than I thought - not too but probably too much for dropping at a cm for a quick gym trip. How about a babysitter?

You should be very careful before your 6/8 week postnatal check, especially if you have had a cs

Trust me, i didnt!

What happened to you littleducks?

I agree with littleducks - it's not what's going on on the outside that matters but what's going on in the inside and I've had three natural births!

Lucky you strix I put on more weight over xmas than five pounds. I agree its a lot easier to exercise without a baby. I am sure there is not a minimum age.

Oooh congrats strix! Have been wondering how you've been doing.

Going by experience as an MN I'd have to say wait until your 6 week check, or at least if you want to start going before get someone to check you properly. Otherwise you could end up paying someone a lot of money because you're on bedrest after having overdone it at the gym or in hospital because the scar has broken open.... Also your gym may not let you back (mine are fine for me to exercise there right up til the birth practically with MW consent from 28 weeks but won't let me back until I have a medical certificate saying it's okay).

But once you're checked out and cleared there's no minimum age you can leave your DS - just depends on the CM.

Could you not poach/bribe a local nanny from school to watch him for a couple of hours for you though? I'm sure there must be some with school aged charges and that would save you trekking to the CM and maybe give you a bit more flexibility given the arrangement is pretty ad hoc.

And don't knock Pilates!

5 pounds is nothing, does it make a difference to your clothes? I'd have thought you got there just by diet (not proper diet just careful eating) and time alone.

I was running (4 weeks) and climbing (5 weeks), but wasn't a cs. Wasn't until 6 weeks I could it proper. I understand how important it can be. I did it in the evening (with DH) or when MIL came round to take her out for a couple of hours fortnightly. I BF, but just timed it so I had 2-3 hours before needing to be back.

For me though I was 7kgs (so 15lbs) overweight and none if budged until I went back to work (4months). Now I weight less than pre-pregnancy. A few choice outfits saw me through. Can't you just dig out the clothes you used in pregnancy? I admit buying clothes was annoying but I only did because I moved to the states and only packed what we could take on the plane. Needless to say DD (3.5months) took up most of it.

strix im a childminder in richmond id love to help out if you want to travel to richmond email laura and jess @ hotmail dot co dot uk (smile)

that should have been :)

Hi Strix,

Assume you did have a C-section as you have asid about scar a couple of times? Agree you should be very careful until your 6 week check. I ride horses, always have done, and after my first I tried to rush back to normal in a couple of weeks, it really delayed the healing process and I think (was a while ago now!) my recovery took a good 6-8months in the end. With DD2 I took things much slower, really only looked after her and did the odd bit around the house until 6 weeks and was fully recovered by then.

However, you know your own body, so go with what you think/feel - could you check with GP first?

Am also envious that you only have 5lb to lose.

Thanks for the offer but I think getting to/from Richmond would take longer than the working out. So probably not workable.

Thank you everyone for the concern for my recovery. But, I think my own body will be the best guide for what is/isn't too much. Last time, I waited for the six week check before I did anything. I asked the GP about runnign, and she said just to listen to my body. So, if something hurts, I will stop immediately. And I have no plans to to do any jumping/bouncing/anything that works the abs until at least six weeks. But no reason I can walk on a treadmill... possibly even uphill. I'll start slow and see how it goes.

I still think a babysitter. Could you time it so baby has just been fed and is sleeping?

Failing that, baby in sling and walk on treadmill?

strix if you cant find anyone and wanted to do it between 930ish and 230 i could come to twickenham but would have ds in tow he will be 3 in april at the mo i have no mindees so am free to do it