Is it normal....

[IslaSmila]

Hi there! I'm just starting my 18 month old at a childminders. She seems a lovely lady whom my daughter likes. However she says that she takes the three children she minds (all between one year and 18 months) to other childminders houses. Is this a normal thing to do? I don't feel comfortable with it as I have never met them and although they are Ofsted registered how am i supposed to trust people i've never met? Your comments would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,
IslaSmila

As a cm and a mum of four I regulary go to other cm home for play dates and so that the kids get to know another cm .as if I am Ill or need cover the kids are happy to be with another cm .we also all
Go to local groups and activates together I'm sure if you speak to your cm and ask to meet the other cm it won't be a problem good luck .

Yes of course. She will take them on playdates and probably host pladates too. She'll also take them to playgroups etc where there will also be people you don't know. You don't need to trust them, you need to trust your childminder to only take your DC to appropriate places with appropriate people.

very normal

very normal - all to do with developing childs social skills etc.

I know its hard but you need to learn to trust your minder :)

Where possible I try to introduce my clients to my closest (and back up) minder friends so that they feel comfortable with them.

Thank you very much for your help. Its new ground for me and my daughter, so I wanted to make sure its a normal thing to do. I know you have to trust your minder, but placing all your faith and trust in someone you've only met once or twice takes a leap of faith. Which of course you have to do else you'd never let your child out of the house! x

Absolutely Isla and you do the right thing in asking lots of questions.

The best way to choose a minder.... trust your gut reactions.

when I am interviewing clients there are some you just 'click' with.

One of my (current) parents - she came for interview - we yapped for about 3 hrs about everything -whilst her daughter played, i played with the daughter, we covered the business basics and we also set the world to rights. We clicked - 3 years later we have a great relationship - professional but friendly.

I am sure you will find the perfect minder :)

It is good practice for your childminder to introduce you to the other childminders.

I do this anyway with my back-up childminders although this can lead to awkward moments. For example, when one of the parents said, "yes, I have already met x. The decision was between you and x!"

I actually think it's a good thing for a childminder to do, in moderation.