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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Childminders Club: a question, as usual!!!

4 replies

lunavix · 10/12/2005 14:49

Hey everyone I've finally had calls!!!!

If you remember, I've had twins for 30 hours a week, and with my son that's all the children I've had for a while. I have a Very part time little boy (one hour here and there! Don't ask....) too but not that often, but in the last week I've had THREE calls for after school care!!!!! One for two boys, one for one girl, and one for one boy for before as well as after school. All the boys for school holidays too.

One parent signed contracts today too, although I'm quite wary until they start still, I've had so many people sign contracts and 'disappear' (I don't know if anyone remembers the undercover childminder )

But I have a few questions:

the first is, I need to write a permissions slip for these boys (8 and 9) detailing a few bits, and I'm wondering how to word it. The mum is happy for them to play in the grass outside the front of our house relatively unsupervised (we live on a walk so there's no road, plus their friends live on the same road) so how do I word this? Obviously I'd check on them.
Another is she's happy for them to walk home on their own from school. BEAR IN MIND I live behind the school!! I've already said for peace of mind I'd probably go with them, and if I have other mindees from the school I definately will, but I want to cover this just in case.

What else should I cover? I remember hearing something about play equipment? I don't have anything suitable for their age thoguh (it's all baby stuff in the garden) so should I cover the park stuff?

Also, what sort of routines do you have with your after school kids? I haven't got any experience minding older ones (the oldest I've had is 28 months!) and the mum says they like football tv and playstation! Obviously it won't be a lot of tv or playstation, because I want to do activities with them, but what? I know there's the obvious - cooking, crafts etc, but for pre-teen boys???

Oh and any toy recommendaions would be fantastic too!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
lunavix · 10/12/2005 14:50

I wanted to add I do have experience with the age as I'm a brownie guider, but I know 8 year old boys are very different to 8 year old girls!!!!

OP posts:
ThePrisoner · 10/12/2005 16:01

I mind older boys (aged up to 11 years) - and, yes, they love the playstation too. They also love any construction sets (Lego, Polydron, anything with small pieces), but also love Playdoh, painting, drawing, glueing (even though they say they don't!) They happily choose to play with stuff for the younger children too.

We have a small snooker table, football table, board games, puzzle books, marble run, cars/trains/tracks, Twister, dominoes - the list is endless. Get them to write a list of what they like, or take them to Woolworths!

My mindees aren't allowed out without me - I worry about them having accidents and how I'd deal with it if I have small children in house. You could probably just put "can play in front of house" (within whatever area you designate) with "limited supervision" (?? sounds bad, doesn't it!!) If parents want them to walk to you from school, I guess that's their choice, but I'd want to pick up 8 and 9 year olds. You'd need to put something in the contract or on permission forms.

I don't put lots of detail on my permission forms about trips out, just "can go on outings" and "can go in minder's car" type of thing.

It's easier in the summer because they will all be in the garden, and you can be out and about more.

lunavix · 11/12/2005 14:53

Gosh!

I'm wondering how to deal with toy storage!We have two huge units in the dining room full of toys and loads in the lounge and in a huge tub - all for under 3s! I need to fit in more for the big ones!!!!

OP posts:
AnonymousWorriedMum · 11/12/2005 15:11

We had the loft boarded, put in some deep shelves, and moved everything up there. It's a real pain putting stuff away and getting new stuff out each weekend!

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