Some general questions for C M's (thank you)

[MUM2BLESS]

I am a cm myself.

3 yr old doing cutting today (f m s). Little one was holding the scissors incorrectly, would you correct or just let them do it their way. She was cutting okay using this method. I was doing an observation. I am more likely to show her again, how to hold the scissors.

If you have to do school runs etc what procedure do you follow for little ones who sleep? I am not sure what Osted expects us to do. I will sometimes put her down to sleep, then I have to get her up and put ..... on before putting her in the buggy, most of the time she will go back to sleep. However I find it easier to put her in the buggy and let her sleep. When I am ready I do not have to interupt her sleep. She will sleep for quite a while.

I may put some other general questions on this thread rather than starting a new one. (still waiting for Ofsted!!)

Thanks in advance

If you are observing then its that information which you can put to use to help her next time. An Obs is just that, with the 'findings' being used to support the child in the future.
I have put little ones to sleep in a buggy if I know that their nap time clashes with a school run. If you have the child on a regular basis then it may be wothwhile slowly moving the sleep routine in favour of the day to day routine you must keep for other children.
Ofsted are happy if you can justify the reasons you do what you do, and that the childs best interest is at heart. You do have to consider the other children in your care, and they take this into consideration.

I agree :)

With my current 2 year old mindee who can use the scissors, she was holding them incorrectly so I asked her if she wanted me to show her how to hold them more comfortably so they might cut better and she said yes, so I showed her. If she'd have said no I'd have left it that time and just let her see how I hold them when I cut.

As for sleeps, I don't have any 3 year olds who've still napped but I do have a 2 and half year old at the moment who had their naps dropped to give her a better sleep at night and although it improved things at home, she would then doze off in the car on the way to school and then be all groggy on the school run. We've now started with naps again but only half an hour and that seems to work perfectly now. Have you talked to parents about their wishes? At this sort of age I'd let the parents decide what they'd like you to do and I don't think there is anything wrong with having a little sleep in the buggy if that works best but if they have longer (how long?), do they sleep ok at night for parents?

I'm also still waiting for Ofsted (3 years was up in March) but I'm hardly minding from after Christmas and will be totally finished (for good) by the end of March!

Can you just put 3 year old down for earlier nap? 12.30-2.30, wake up, give a little snack etc and leave for school run awake and refreshed? 3 year old here couldn't cope without a nap

futuremysleighscalldtrev thank you so much i agree "An Obs is just that, with the 'findings' being used to support the child in the future"
I will have to do what is best for that child regarding where she sleeps.

thanks HSMM

looneytune - She finds it a bit tricky to hold it the right way. My 3 year old is up early and is at my house just before 7.30, so she needs a nap around lunch time. While she sleeps it gives me time to catch up on paperwork etc, so I really do appreciate this moment. she still sleep at night. I will only usually wake her if she is sleeping by the time we return from the school run. I have a daily routine which I follow which works very well. She is the only one who is with me during the school hours.

May I ask why you are finishing cm ing?

forevergreek I think I might ask mum what she would like me to do regarding the length of sleep which she has.

Anohter question

what would you do with a 5 year old who does not want to take part in what the other kids are doing ? He did watch the kids at play and play a little with some of the toys. He seems to be tired. Today he just sat on the sofa. I have the tv on later on after the school run. He watched the tv and was okay. I know that some cm are not keen on tv. He comes to me on average once per week.

Hi again. If your 3 year old needs a sleep then I'd agree that it's probably best to try and time it so that they're then awake for the school run, if possible. This way you might get longer on paperwork too? :)

Oh and the reason I'm leaving is that I'm pregnant and having another one means lots of changes to the house and I therefore won't have the space for childminding. Also had lots of problems with ds2 for a long time now so I think me not minding is the best all round, even though I'll miss it after nearly 8 years.

Looneytune congratulations All the best with the birth etc.

I quite like having only one during the day. I do try to go out with her when possible ie library or stay and play etc.

My time as cm is very busy therefore I appreciate time to catch up with things whenever I can.

Thanks, yes that must be nice having 1 during the day. I'm looking forward to a break to be honest, used to having a mad rush with 4/5 for breakfast, 7 on the morning school run, 3 during day and 7 after school and during hols (although also love it).

Ds2 has been with S & L for 2 years, now been to paediatrician and then CAMHS and tbh, this 'situation' (unplanned pg) has forced me to change things and I think was the push I needed as ds2 really does need me right now. Going to just enjoy some quality time before baby comes and think about what I'm going to do next year.

Oh and yes I totally understand about being busy and making the most of the time for catching up - I'm very much looking forward to catching up with my non childminding work as I never seem to get to touch that, you know what it's like!

Its important that as cms we stay balanced with what we take on. Afterall some of us are also mothers/and or grandmothers too. Time for paper work, time for house work. time for spouse, not forgetting ourselves.

If I could change what I am doing I would either work 8 until 4 mon to fri or 3 days a week doing my present 7 30 to 18.00. This would give me time to really really catch uo on things.

Until my time changes I will continue to do my best.