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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

CM taking children out

16 replies

Medal · 28/08/2013 15:38

DCs aged 3 and 4 have recently started with a new CM. The CM often has 6-7 children (including her own and mine) to look after and has told me when she has this number she has an assistant helping her. However, it seems that there are days that she is not able to take the children out of the house, eg, to the park, for a walk, which I am guessing is because of difficulties with the number of children.

I am a bit upset because I would have liked them to get out for a bit every day, especially with the weather being okay. Can't work out if this is usual or not as this is our first time with a CM.

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missmapp · 28/08/2013 15:43

My two only go to the cm before and after school, but they always go to the park if its a dry day. In the holidays, I know she takes her charges out every day.

I'm with you and like visits out each day, even just a walking trip- to feed the ducks etc, but I don't know how normal this is for cm.

Original poster

Medal · 28/08/2013 15:44

Sorry forgot to mention they are with the CM for full days (11h), so not just small stretches.

OP posts:

PrincessScrumpy · 28/08/2013 16:45

Do they play in the garden? I have 3 dc and I would go crazy staying in all day every day so not sure how a cm could handle it (probably says more about me). If they are in the garden playing I wouldn't worry too much but is keep an eye on it.

Original poster

Medal · 28/08/2013 16:58

She does have a garden that they play in but it is on the small side - prob doesn't allow for a lot of running around. Thanks, I will keep an eye on it.

OP posts:

forevergreek · 28/08/2013 17:03

She should only have 3 under 5 alone. Anyone under this age surely goes on reins/ in pram if difficult, or walks holding hands. Any age over should be able to walk nicely on the path.
I she has 6-7 between x2 adults, surely that's x4 hands she can hold/ pushpram/ etc

She should be taking them out daily as part of the regulations with ofsted

Original poster

Medal · 28/08/2013 17:06

Thanks forevergreek, I didn't know that it was an Ofsted requirement to take them out daily. Not sure what to do now!

OP posts:

Twinklestarstwinklestars · 28/08/2013 17:11

It's not a requirement to go on outings but to have access to outdoor play whether its the park, garden or other area. So a cm may live in a flat but say that they take them to the park every day.

AnneUulmelmahay · 28/08/2013 17:14

Not quite outings every day but access to outdoors, garden will fulfil that requirement.

DragonsAreReal · 28/08/2013 17:15

I think the trips out to the park/library/duck feeding is what would make me choose a cm over a nursery. I also would have thought it would help her IE go to the park let off loads of energy come back and have lunch then a nap iyswim?

Original poster

Medal · 28/08/2013 17:20

Yes Dragons, that was my thought, my two have loads of energy. They do go to the library and park just not every day.

OP posts:

forevergreek · 28/08/2013 17:21

True, it could be a garden but they are suppose to have space to explore, run, climb etc etc.. By the sounds of it the small garden doesn't have these facilities.

I suppose it's up to what you feel they should be doing. Personally we live in a flat, so the x2 mornings ours attend nursery I wanted it to be very outdoorsy ( even though its just x2 mornings) as it means if we have to do something else in the afternoon after their nap, we know they have had a good 2-3 hours outside ( they have a veg patch/ sand/ park trips/ chickens on site/ puddle jumping etc)

HSMMaCM · 28/08/2013 18:22

DH and I work together and it can sometimes be tricky to go far in the holidays, because we can't physically get all the children in the car. During term time we are out and about all over the place. In the holidays we either split the children so some go out in the morning and some in the afternoon, or we walk.

mamamaisie · 28/08/2013 20:30

I normally go out 4 days a week and stay home on one day. On that day we use the garden and do crafts/baking/story time etc. I find that it can be a bit much for the children to go out every single day. Sometimes they just want to have time to stay in and play, especially if they are of similar ages and get on well together.

HSMMaCM · 28/08/2013 21:23

Agreed mamamaisie. Sometimes the children have a lovely day without going out (and just as many learning opportunities)

FannyMcNally · 28/08/2013 21:33

11 hours! I honestly don't know how CMs keep going for this long without a break. Three cheers for CMs!

Peachyjustpeachy · 02/09/2013 14:11

I don't take the children out every day. I do have a large garden with 3 swings, a slide, aclimbing frame, sand and water tables..... Not to mention ride ons, scooters, skipping ropes balls quoits etc. They call it the playground garden.

I've invested hugely in my outdoor area and would be disappointed if this didn't satisfy regulations it certainly satisfies the children. Some of them moan if I say we are going to the beach...they'd much rather stay here.

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