Friends from school

[Lucy025]

Hi there everyone, Im fairly new to chld minding and one my afterschoolers has just started in reception and has been asked to go to friends houses for tea after school, but says no and that she wants them back to her house, but this would mean the child coming home with me to my house first before they get picked up, is this a no,no ? or am I allowed to do this? I mean I wouldnt have a car seat for the child unless the parents gave me one, as I only have enough for the children I care for each day. What are you opinions on this?

You would have to be still within your numbers and what about insurance? I wouldn't do it, as professionals we expect to be paid for all the children we care for, absolutly no freebies especially for children not on contract with us.

Children I have minded have either gone to the friend's house, or one of their parents has finished early to take them home with a friend.

Agree both above and y should u anyway? You are doing paid work, this is your job and why would you look after another. Gild for free? Play dates are for parents to organise when child with them.

I wouldnt do this at all.

as with HSMM

I agree with thebody, my kids can rarely have friends for tea because of numbers why should I have a childminded child's friend for tea?

I agree with thebody

It's up to the parents to sort out their children's social life, not their childcare

They'll have to have friends round at the weekend if they work full time like the rest of us

yes, the parents need to make arrangements themselves and you should not need to be involved

you have things like staying within your numbers to consider, what does your insurance cover, car insurance too, let alone how to get another child's car seat to you to go into your car

It's a no from me

My own poor children are not allowed to have friends back after school as I am working. I'm with everyone else - I wouldn't do it.

Nor me when I was childminding- in fact it was difficult enough for my own DC's to have friends around as I had to keep within my numbers.

My advice would be do not start anything you may regret later. One friend may lead to lots of friends being invited.

If the child you are minding want to invite friends then that must be done whilst they are with their own parents.

If you do allow this, you will be responsible for that friend, have to provide food etc etc.

As a childminder you will learn very quickly. I have

Big no no from me.

Why arent the parents doing all this arranging ? This is the parents job you should simply be carrying out their instructions.

Are they aware of this tea invite ? What do they say to the shortage of cars seats, insurance etc.

You see I do allow friends of minded children back for tea, I will also organise (with parents permission of course) for minded children to go back to friends houses.

In the past I have had children who are with me before and after school, all hols and their parents never do the school run, are never around after school. In my eyes I don't want the children to miss out, its an important part of school life. If I can I will always try and get them to birthday parties, clubs after school.

There is a permission form I have signed by parents which says I am not looking after them as a minded child, but as a friend. Ofsted were happy with that. I do however, never ever go over my numbers

U sound lovely booh, but I would b lying if I said I felt parents were friends as we aren't just a working friendly relationship for me. And I would defiantly not look after minded children for free,let alone their pals. The only kids I have here for free are my own Dcs friends. But good for you.