Childminders/Nannies - Would you tell a parent about a child taking their first step?

[nannynick]

I know, you are probably reading this thinking that I'm mad - why would a childcarer tell a parent about the 'first' things a child does.

However just been watching Parents Under Pressure on BBC2 and on that a parent was saying that their childminder told them about their child's first step. The parent was upset about that. I agree, it's not right for a childcarer to mention a child doing something for the first time.

Do you agree? Or are you finding that things like doing daily diaries now means that parents do get to hear about a first step, before they see it for themselves?

As with BALD and the body, nope I dont tell, just in casre the parent find it upsetting.

Grabaspoon i like your style!

as a parent I find this really wierd. Nursery had an "incident meeting" when carer told me DD had rolled over and I said "wow! more than she does at home" next thing nuresry worker in floods apologising saying they'd never ever plan to tell a parent about a milestone then big meeting to "investiagte" i've since signed something to say i want to know about anything DD does as I know stuff will happen at nursery (she's there 3.5 days a week) and I'm more than happy for them to have some "firsts" as they love her and look after her too

I think it depends on the parent, I've worked for loads that are happy for me to tell them, but have equally worked for parents who would've hated me too.

My current youngest charge rolled over, crawled first, took her first steps and said her first word with me, I knew her mum would be devastated to miss them.so I said nothing.

Feigning shock and interest when she excitedly told me she's done them, was a tad harder

excalty milk

why deny the pleasure it can give the parents :)

I ask parents their preference when they come for interview and try to stick to their choice but there are times when this isn't a good idea.

For example one of my mindee's mums used to place baby on the bed when she was running his bath. Baby learned to roll over at my house. If I had kept this information to myself I would have been putting the child at risk so told the parent even though they'd asked me to keep 'firsts' to myself. They understood why I told them and were grateful that I cared for their child enough to ignore their wishes.