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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

Childminders - does experience matter?

18 replies

Brookville · 08/12/2013 20:12

I'm returning to work very soon and have the option of a childminder with 10y+ experience or someone closer by with no experience (other than her own children). I have two children under 5, one of whom attends nursery in the mornings. I'm not sure how the less experienced minder will cope with so many kids under 5 and also whether she will commit longer term as she hasn't done it before and might hate it! However the convenience factor is good (no car drive necessary). I have to be in work at 0815 so a car drop-off on mornings when DH isn't around will be tricky. Any tips gratefully received.

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Lucylouby · 08/12/2013 20:46

I think you have to go with your gut feeling about the two childminders. Which one did you warm to the most? Which made you feel the most comfortable? Why has the newest one gone into childminding? What job did she do in the past? I was new to childminding but had worked in various other childcare settings previously. However I am a better childminder now than I when I was first registered. But the first children I looked after still got really good care. New childminders have to do training before they can be registered now I think. She will only be able to have three children under 5 though. How many of her own children does she have?

Original poster

Brookville · 08/12/2013 20:52

Thanks, Lucy, she has 2 kids of her own under 5 and my two are siblings of course so I think that allows her to mind more than if they weren't all siblings.
I think she wants a full-time child (to earn more money) as well as my two (3 days) so we are talking a full house although 3 of them will be out all morning at nursery till 1230. The afternoons will be hard for her though...
I am pretty sure she's in it because she wants the money, if I'm honest. We used to chat before I had this job and before she was a potential minder for me and I know it's not her choice of career because she is professionally qualified in another field...
The only reasons I'm considering her are: we are living close by, know each other a little and drop off is incredibly easy. Although maybe those aren't good reasons. It's just that if the other carer can't take anyone until 0745 then I might run late for work on occasions when DH can't drop off.

OP posts:

LingDiLong · 08/12/2013 20:52

I don't think experience is the ONLY thing that matters. When I was setting up I went to see a local childminder who'd been doing it for 20+ years. I wouldn't have sent my kids to her for a variety of very good reasons.

Meanwhile I got to know another new childminder and she seems to give very good care, and I like to think I've always give very good care too, even when I'd just set up.

I think you have to judge them on their own merits really...even though she's new she should be able to give you a good idea of the kind of activities she has planned, the kind of food she will provide and will have had to have done risk assessments. She should be able to give you a good idea of how well she can manage 2 or 3 kids under 5.

nannynick · 08/12/2013 21:09

She may have some experience from her past that she has not considered, babysitting for example.

The convenience factor is a big plus for you.

I would look at some practical things, can she transport all the children. Are they going to the same nursery?

I would query if she is permitted to care for that number of under 5's. You have not given specific ages so it is hard to know but I get the impression none of them are in full time school, so not aged 4 in school.
Typically childminders are allowed to care for 3 children under school age. Whilst changes to EYFS has changed things, I am not sure it means they can care for any number of under school aged children they like.

PACEY: Ratios in England
If you are not in England, ratio may be different in your country.

Twinklestarstwinklestars · 08/12/2013 22:28

I would go in your gut feeling, experience/qualifications are not always everything sometimes, and being new the one with her own kids should be up to date on first aid etc.

Even if they are siblings I wouldn't have thought she could take them on as it's new business but without knowing ages etc it's hard to say for definite. Twins are different I think but I would just clarify of her ratios allow.

caz05 · 09/12/2013 08:09

I chose a child minder for my LO and when he started with her he was her first child minding child but she was lovely and I trusted my gut feeling. She also has 3 children of her own one whom was to be there with my child too as he wasn't yet school age. It worked out wonderfully and my LO was with her for 4 years before he went off to school. I don't think child minding experience matters too much it defo is a gut feeling. Go with what you think is right

Ela2002 · 10/12/2013 04:12

As far as I know a childminder should not have more than 3 children under 5 years of age including their own if they do not have the help of an aassistant. Please check the adult/child ratio. You can get information regarding childminding on Ofsted website.

HSMMaCM · 10/12/2013 07:07

The sibling rule allows an extra child when taking on a sibling of an existing child, not new business.

Apart from her being over numbers, there are pros and cons for both new and experienced. Just go with how you feel (and in this case legal ratios).

minderjinx · 10/12/2013 09:39

I agree about the ratios. She may only have an "extra" child over the normal three if there is a child she already cares for has a sibling join her later. It doesn't apply to new business, so she cannot take on two new children at once. I would be very careful to check this as it could invalidate her insurance, not to mention bringing your childcare to an abrupt halt if she has a spot inspection and she is made to suspend care. That aside, I agree that experience isn't everything and that it is more important to find someone you and your children warm to and who shares your parenting style and values.

Lucylouby · 10/12/2013 12:26

Minder jinx is correct about the ratios. She shouldn't be going over the ratios to take on new business, only if the new child has a sibling already in the setting. However, when this new rule came out, even our local authority were confused about it and were telling childminders they could go over the ratio if one of the children was their own, so I think there is still some confusion out there due to the wording in the eyfs.

lucyfluff · 10/12/2013 14:03

Jinx is correct I had my Ofsted registration this morning, and funnily enough this area regarding ratio came up.

I think you should go with your gut feeling, talk to them about previous experience and watch how they interact with your/other children.

MPB · 10/12/2013 16:44

How does the ruling apply when a child is in half day nursery?
Full time schoolies count as under 8's don't they?

HSMMaCM · 10/12/2013 16:47

They only change age brackets when attending 10 sessions of full time school.

MPB · 10/12/2013 17:10

Thank you. I knew this but one of the CM local to me doesn't seem to and has on occasions 4 under 5's none of whom are in full time school. She some times has 5.
I thought I was right.

busyDays · 10/12/2013 17:27

When I first registered I took on a lovely little girl who was the same age as my daughter. I had no childcare experience whatsoever but I think out of all the children I have looked after she got the best care. I was new to the job and super enthusiastic. I became extremely fond of her and I think because she was my first mindee I bonded more with her than I have with any other child. I was in tears when she left and we still keep in touch. I think as time has gone by I have gained experience and qualifications but I just don't become as attached to the children as I did with my first few. So if the newly registered childminder is enthusiastic and you like her personality I wouldn't discount her for lack of experience. Oh, and surely most childminders are 'in it for the money'? It is a paid job after all and few of us would do it for free.

Original poster

Brookville · 10/12/2013 19:58

Thanks all. Your replies are much appreciated. Just to clarify, I most certainly agree that experience isn't everything and great childminders have to start somewhere. But I do think some people use the child minding profession as a stop gap until their own kids are at an age which facilitates them going back to their old job. So maybe that true enthusiasm/patience/resilience isn't always there because they don't see the business as a long-term thing. Some people start child minding because they really want to do it and it's someone like that I was looking for. And have found, thankfully!

OP posts:

HSMMaCM · 10/12/2013 21:08

Brookville - I only started CM as a stop gap while my DD was a baby, but I am still doing it 15 yrs later . I know what you mean though.

MPB - you might see me out and about with 4 children, but I have taken on 2 younger siblings of existing children and a longterm child has changed days, so any time I have 4, it is for continuity of care only.

MPB · 11/12/2013 10:35

HSMM
I am pretty sure these aren't siblings. And has been done for new business. TBH I'm just keeping my nose out, as it might just look like spite on my part.

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