As a CM would you be happy to be asked to do this...

[2kidsintow]

My DD2 has a school disco on Wed pm, at 4.15. I am aware that my CM probably has other children on the same afternoon and I don't want to ask her to do another run to school as it isn't in the contract and is possibly at a time that other children's parents are going to be picking their children up from the CM's.

I'm going to mention it to her tomorrow, and put forward the option that my DD1 (11) walks my DD2 (7) to school then walks back to the CMs. It is a walk through a quiet, but not remote, estate with one road to cross that is safe. My 11 year old is very sensible, as is my 7 year old.

As a CM, at the parent's suggestion, would you be happy to do this?

I'd ask first if your CM can do the extra drop offs and pick ups if that would be your preference.

If she can't and you're 100% happy with the plan that you've suggested above, I'd ask her if she's ok with that instead.

Do both of your dd's usually go to the CM?

I'm not a childminder. But not sure if the childminder would agree to this as wouldn't she be legally responsible for the child's safety at this time. If they are leaving from her house. Do you not know another Mum or Dad who could pick up your DD from the childminder's and take her to the disco. And then you can return the favour another time.

i dont CM now but did and wouldnt have done this. i would ask if she could do the extra school run or maybe another parent could pick your dc up on their way?

Unfortunately, the only other Mums who would help are either already working themselves or are already taking other children with their own and already have their hands full.

Both DDs do go to the CMs at the moment, even though the older one is starting to walk to school and home ahead of the CM getting ready for high school.

One of the other children she minds is in the same class as DD2 and is also going to the disco, but I'm not sure it is a day that she goes to the CM.

ask her. you might be worrying about nothing. if shes happy for your dd1 to walk on ahead maybe she'll allow this. could you give dd1 a phone so she could phone CM on arrival? does the school have an after school club?

i dont think the cm would allow your dd to walk dd2 as under 8 and tech under your cm care after school - therefore needs to be within sight/hearing at all times and ofsted wouldnt approve even if you say yes

OK. Thanks for all the replies. Will explain the problem without my own suggestion first and see what she says.

No I wouldn't let an 11 year old walk a 7 year old to school whilst they were in my care. Can you not ask another parent to collect her from the childminders for you and take her to the disco?

If there isn't another option, then surely as the parent you can give the CM a letter to say this is what is happening on x day and that you do not hold her responsible for the children during this time?

I should also check with your school. I know our school policy is all children must be collected by an adult after discos. Not 11 year old siblings!

I was always going to be the one collecting as I know their policy on that one.

As it happens, I've asked and the CM seems to think she can manage to drop my DD off at the disco after all.

(This is what I am guily of....always over thinking things and then finding it wasn't a problem in the first place )

Thanks for all the answers. x

The only way to do this if you are both happy with the arrangement is to have a written document confirming that the parent is taking full responsibility for the welfare of the children during the walk. Its similar to something you would draw up for a child who makes his own way from school (high school) to a child minders house.

I will have to do this for September for a mindee of mine who will be catching a bus from school to my house - he is 11