how much of their own lives do childminders get on with?

[stella1w]

I am definitely moving towards trying to find a childminder when I return to work rather than a nursery, but am a bit worried about what the cm will actually do during the day.

The cm I see a lot near me seems to take her mindee to do her own shopping. I can see that a trip to the shops is a bit of change of scene/fresh air etc, but tbh think that if someone is being paid to look after my child, then my child should be the priority and I don't like the idea of my child being cooped up in a buggy while the CM gets on with her own errands.

Is this standard practice?

The alternative would be to choose a nanny

we call in to our local shop to pick up a couple of items but never a main shop.

I try to keep my working life apart from my private life if possible so my DH takes our own children to Drs and Dentists etc. I finish work at 5.30 though so that means that I can take my children to activities or do grocery shopping after finishing work.

Before becoming a CM, i used to meet up with friends for coffee once a week, I dropped that because I couldn't see any benefits in that for the children in my care which is a shame since I loved my coffee mornings

There's shopping and there's shopping...

Going to a greengrocer or small shop and CM talking to your child while picking up a few everyday goods - yes.

Strapped into the buggy in a hot changing room while your CM tries on clothes or waiting in TESCO while your CM does a full weekly shop - No.

I looked long and hard for a childminder in my local area, but in the end was either unhappy with the quality of the experiences being offered or was let down at short notice. I visited six childminders, arranged to start with two childminders and on both of those occasions I was let down at short notice.

One childminder I saw was a woman working with her sister as an assistant. She seemed quite professional in the way she was speaking about her services, but I also got the impression that my child would be in the buggy going here and there quite a bit. I didn't sign-up with her as I felt that her rooms were quite small for the larger number of children she was able to take on, plus there was no outside space. Also, I got a faint whiff of 'two sisters enjoying working together' and wondered whether their minds would be entirely on the job.

About a year later I was in a local gift/toy shop and saw them in there. They each had a double buggy, but had parked the double buggies facing the wall (children awake) and were totally engrossed in choosing a gift. Their interactions were all with each other rather than the children. They didn't recognise me, but I felt reassured that I had made the right decision.

The most important thing is to get a sense of whether or not the day to day experiences are what you want for your child.

stella1w - i agree with the others that normal, daily life is wonderful for young children. I work in early childcare and the children are taken to the supermarket, post office, library etc and all sorts of everyday places as part of their education. It is very important for them to be able to make connections with the wider world and to understand how it ticks.

But every cm will be different, the key is trust and that involves getting to know them a little. A good cm will be completely open about all this.

hester - that is dreadful. She might seem nice but she doesn't sound professional at all. I really hope you look for someone more professional.

I tend to devote the morning completely to the mindees. We go to the park, playgroup, soft play, etc. or stay home and do crafts or cooking activities. In the afternoons I am a bit more relaxed and do get on with a few of my own chores. This might be a bit of light tidying up, emptying the dishwasher or perhaps a quick trip to the local shop. At the moment I have 3 children all aged under 2 so and have to use a triple buggy so I avoid going to the shops if at all possible!

i'm a cm and i dont do any jobs while working (well sometimes i do throw a wash load in once a week)
i am lucky enough to have a cleaner and i do food shopping online

I wouldn't take little ones on a major shopping expedition, but a quick visit in passing to the local shop or market to pick up fresh fruit and veg, milk or bread would seem quite reasonable to me, or popping in to ELC to get a few bits and bobs for a craft activity. I also take mine into cafes sometimes for lunch or a drink and a snack - it's all part of learning about the community and how to behave in public.

even if you employ a nanny, they might still pop to the shop - i work 7-7 and therefore if i need to go to the bank/get some bread/milk etc then i will take my charges - but as others have said, you make it educational and fun