CM Club: Doing a massive trip out this half-term

[KatyMac]

We are going to the science museum

So far there are 30 of us!!

I am a bit scared

You should be it gets soooooo busy in the school holidays...be prepared to queue to get in.

Oh and have fun!

Nah it's just our local one; it should be fine [prays]

ohhh I thought you meant the London one!! I'm sure it'll be great. It'll be like a school trip!

9 adults
21 children (10 under 5)

sounds fun

(so long as not in london in school hols!)

Have fun I went on a trip yesterday with the nursery. We went to see a live production of "We're going on a bear hunt" It was really good. We took 10 3 year olds with 4 members of staff and 1 parent. The children absolutely loved it and were all really well behaved.
I am sure your trip will be enjoyed by all.

How do you cope with the stress

I arrange these things and angst all my way through them

You'll be fine.
When I do big trips, I print little labels with "If I am lost, my childminder's moblie number is xxx" on it - they all look like little evacuees!

We did the labels too, one on their top and one on their coat.
Preparation is key, as is your risk assessment.
The most important thing, though, is to remember to enjoy yourself. I am a fairly calm and laidback person, so don't really get that stressed out. As long as everybody knows what they are doing and who they are responsible for, it will be fine.
I find the most important thing is to prepare the children beforehand. They need to know what it expected of them, so they can take some responsibility for themselves. as we got out of the taxi in the middle of Blackpool, it was very busy, and the 3 year olds were saying to each other "we have to hold hands". It was so sweet. then one said "can we go shopping?" The children held hands in a circle while we paid the taxi drover and sorted out the tickets.
My trick is to expect the best from everyone. It's a positive attitude thing.

You've got a fab ratio there - practically a grown-up hand for each child! It'll be fiiiine

& 4 of the children are 13yo girls, well used to 'childminding'

I know it will be fine, it's just.......

We did Marwell zoo last year, all the kids had high vis vests on (We made them lots cheaper)the vests had 'Childminded Child' in big letter on them and my phone number.

You could see them a mile off

Look up Small Soldiers Childcare on FB, and you can see them. (yes I have got permission for the photos to be on there)

I love my high viz vests for my kids! At Wisley Gardens last year, one elderly lady quite rightly pointed out to me that it would be hard to lose them..... which is, of course, the whole point!

i bought them for about £1.79 each at Morrisons about 2 years ago.

Gosh you are brave! I took 6 kids to the Tank Museum last summer and thought I was doing well! (I was 26 weeks pregnant at the time tho so gave myself a pat on the back )

Have a fab time - try and enjoy yourself!

sounds fun :) thats roughly one adult to 2 children

ive taken 4 to london science museum before with train/tube etc

have a fab day

Fingers crossed it goes OK

Well I survived.....& so did the children

You counted them all out and counted them all back in again

Good to hear you survived the trip out.

Actually Nick, you don't know how true that is

Glad went well :)