Childminder available

[Ladymai]

I'm a registered childminder in Newmarket, Suffolk.

I have places available for under fives, full or part time.

Please contact me at [email protected] or 01638 604141

Hi Ladymai.....Welcome to MN (haven't seen you here before have I?)

Do join in on our Childminder's CLub discussions - they are aimed at us childminders to discuss our problems and triumphs.

How long have you been minding?

Hi Katymac

Sorry my DS woke up and once he's awake there's no chance of getting on here till he goes to bed again!

Today is the first time I've been on MN and came across chat with childminders and thought I'd see what happens!

I've been minding since October 2005 and I have to say I'm really disappointed that I have'nt filled all my spaces. I too was told there was a huge demand for childminders in my area but so far it not coming my way! It seems to me that mothers prefer to put their children into nursery rather than have almost one - one care with minders.

At least I've got a couple plus my DS but its not exactly earning me a living, thank god for the DH!

I think some people perceive childminders in different ways. At a nursery the children are never alone with an adult - there are always at least 2 adults around. This gives the perception that child abuse and neglect are much less likely to happen.

Of course that is not true - but it is some peoples perception.

Can you join a network - they will visit every 6 to 8 weeks and provide a "check" to help parents feel secure

Or have you thought about doing the Kitemark again that offers reassurance to parents

There is a thread in this section about advertising and some of the other minders are experts at this (I'm not - it's been dumb luck in my case)

I'm out for the morning but I'll catch up here later and see if we can come up with any ideas for you

To be honest all I've done is the initial information session and thats it. I have been on the ICP course yet as the dates didn't coincide with my registration.

As for networking, the childminder coordinator for newmarket, who is fully booked, passes my number to people that phone her by they never seem to get as far as phoning me.

With regard to child abuse and neglect, you would think that me having my own child and having an enhanced CRB would ensure parents that its ok to leave their child with me, but maybe they need the reassurance and thats why people need recommendations before using you?

I have had my first inspection which went well so I can let propective parents look at that before they make a decision, if only I could get the phone calls!

got to go, DS is trying to type this for me!!

Havent been on the ICP course

You will get more info on the ICP

Have you done your first aid yet?

1st Aid not til May I think. The schedules for the training were crap this year for my area, with one ICP course for Newmarket last year. I know once I do that I'll feel more confident about it all.

I just don't know what else to do re getting people to use me

Do you go to all mums and tots groups and round the primary schools talking to teachers etc.

Haven't done the primary schools but do go to toddler groups, not all but some. Don't really want to do school pick ups at the moment although I suppose just to get my face known by teachers would be a good idea then they can tell mothers with non school age children about me.

Its all quite alien to me still especially as I haven't really had any support from anywhere.

Contact you local childminding groups

I do feel however that a lot of parens would hesitate to leave a child with someone who was not 1st aid trained (but you never get to tell them as you never get a phone call...)

Are you on the CIS website?

Yes I'm on CIS website. I even changed details from part time to full time hours in the hope that this would encourage, but still nothing.

We don't have a childminding group, well one or two minders meet at a playgroup once a week along with a load of parents which I go to when I can.

I've advertised in shops, doctors and my own window, adn a couple of schools but still to no avail. I'm not getting desperate but I just want this to start being worthwhile.

I've got to go out for a bit now, thanks for your ideas so far, I'll be in touch later

Yes a parent asked me if id take her 3 children last week. Two are school age but one is under 5. Unfortunately Im not blinkin registered yet! Just try spreading the word as much as you can. Or try to sell your service to ther groups of parents e.g. nurses that need unsocial hours or something like that. Try advertising in local hospitals or any large employers near you.

I have to say I haven't got as far as letting my health visitor know that I'm a childminder although she would have done a reference for me. Its a hassle getting up to the hospital and I never know if she'll be there or not.

I really need to pull my finger out. Its this bl*dy weather and trekking about with DS in tow just psses us both off when its freezing or peeing down, if only summer would get a move on!

Katymac & Iyshan, what areas are you in?