How to settle in?

[Toklastennis]

I have arranged for a childminder to look after ds (5 months) from the new year, on an occasional basis. She has suggested we have a settling in day - but I'm new to all this so don't know what to expect. What should this involve? Will I be there? Should I let her play with ds on her own or suggest things to do? Also, is this charged at the full rate? How will we know if it's gone ok?

Hi OP, my childminder offers 1 hour a week free, for as long as I want.

She said we can do 8 weeks & if I want to pop out for 10 mins or longer, I can.

A day doesn't seem beneficial to me.

Thanks lama - does that mean that you wait until your child is settled before you leave him with the childminder? So you start 8 weeks before you need the childcare?

Yes, we can start 8 weeks before for our free hourly sessions.

But after that my DD will be a regular 3 times a week.

Maybe its different if you are only going to go occasionaly?

She should tell you everything you are wondering.

Have you met any other childminders?

I only saw 2, I knew the second one was for us.

Each childminder is different how they like to settle children in, I personally would have the parent round for a coffee the first time then the next time try an hour or so then a couple if hours and see how it goes, none of mine have ever had trouble settling though so I would work out what was best for each child if they needed more time.

I charge for settling in and it's different for each child.

Usually start with a couple of hours and send parent off for a coffee, hair cut, sleep, whatever. Then I work up from there. If the 2 hrs was hard for the child, then I do another 2 hrs, then half days, then full contracted days. Frequency depends on the child.

At 5 months, your child should settle easily and quickly.

Just ask your CM how she wants to do it, as we are all different.

My LO starred his child minder at 9 months. We had 3 settling in sessions first one I went too and wasn't charged for and we where there for about an hour, second one he did 1 hour there by himself and third one he did 2 hours there by himself both of this session I was charged for. My LO goes every day and settled in instantly but if you LO is only going occasionally you may find it longer for them to settle. All child minders work differently you will probably find that you have to do something that fits in with them regarding any settling in sessions as they will also have their other children to look after at the same time. My LO loves their child minder and I really feel safe leaving him there and he feels like a member of her family. Good luck

thanks everyone! will let you know how it goes ...

I offer three free settling-in sessions and then charge for additional ones, though that's never been necessary so far. First time is a half hour with the parent present, the second one a half hour with the parent gone, the third one two hours with the parent gone and including a meal/snack. Ideally on subsequent days close to the beginning of the contract.