Benefits of a Childminder?

[BillyBollyBandy]

Hi

I have 2 dd's currently in nursery. DD1 will be starting school in Sept and nursery don't do drop off's. So I thought I would look for a childminder, and am pretty sure I have found a good one who can take both dd's for a couple of mornings a week, including drop off for dd1.

The problem is DM. She is upset that I am asking a childminder to do something she says she could do for me. She accepts that nurseries are different but thinks that a childminder will look after my dd's the same way she will, just with less attention as there are more children! I DO NOT agree with this at all and I think part of the problem is that she was a childminder 30 odd years ago and things have changed hugely since then.

So can you help me convince her? The dd's will be going to a cm, I just want a kind way to convince my dm. And yelling " you are being ridiculous" won't help

Childminders follow the EYFS the same as nurseries and other pre-school settings.
They have a variety of age and stage children.
You can have a professional relationship with them. It's always easier to bring up issues in a non family relationship.
They are first aid trained.
You can use childcare vouchers or tax credits.
Some will be able to provide 15 hours free funding.
Many CMs take part in a much wider range of activities than your average stay at home gran.
Range of resources/access to services is high.

Will think of more but there's some to start.

Thank you Nick

Any other thoughts anyone?

Unless DM is a complete nightmare, and as you are only talking about a couple of mornings a week, I would be tempted to let her take DD1 to school but keep DD2 at nursery. It is kind of her to offer, and perhaps she is keen to see more of the girls - I am not sure what it is that concerns you excatly. You could say DD2 needs her friends, her routine etc, especially with DD1 not being around, so you want to maintain the status quo for her, but DD1 is going to have a new routine anyway, so why not?

Blesss DM she is lovely, but she has arthritis in her feet and is in a lot of pain. She is certainly a trooper but it worries me that she takes on too much, she would be with the dds 24/7 quite happily which is one up on me and I worry about her. I want a CM as a back up plan as well really, so if the weather is bad for example she won't be walking dd1 to school. She is 68 so I think should be a bit easier on herself.

Thank you though minderjinx

I am a CM and I would choose my DC's grandparents over a CM any day. Just simply because I like the idea of them being looked after by family.

(Nothing wrong with CM's obviously - would choose a CM over a nursery.)

However, I wouldn't choose GP's full time as I don't want them to take on that level of responsibility at a similar age to your DM.

The only other concern would be what if they go on holiday? - would you have cover? I would have emergency back up from my Mum and sis.

Could you allow your DM to take your Daughter another day in the week? So that she feels involved.

Hi Mary Yes the trade off is she has them one day a week when I am at work, so 2 mornings at CM's and a full day with GP's. She has just got it into her head that I don't think she is "good" enough else I would leave them with her whenever at work.

She won't admit her mobility problems at all, so if I mention that it will upset her. And she can look after them, very well!! I just think 3 days is a bit much. The 2 afternoons she will have dd2 will be when dd2 naps anyway, so just the one day which will be full on (with DF too, he is just a little more asleep relaxed)

Childminders are likely to have larger contact networks with other childminders, so more chances of socialisation with other children, and - most essentially- cover in case of illness. In 12 years I never had to take a day of for childminder illness/emergencies, since there was always another named and registered person to cover.