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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

Question for CM's - where do your mindee's sleep?

28 replies

Mak · 04/08/2006 16:55

Just wondered what arrangements you have for babies sleeping?
My 8 month DD is due to start with a CM in Sept, would sleeping in a pushchair be acceptable? I have a bit of an issue with this - am I being unreasonable?
Any advice /experience greatly appreciated.

OP posts:

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lunavix · 04/08/2006 16:59

I personally wouldn't want my child sleeping in a pushchair as that's not really what they're for, they aren't flat etc. However I know lots of CM that do that.

I had a spare room, which i kitted out especially for my first little mindee, then I moved it all around for when I had twin mindees. Tbh, the amount of hours children can be with a CM they are practically part of the family!

I've moved the rooms around to accomodate my own new arrival, but any young mindees I take on will be in the new babys room in a cot until the baby needs it, from then on most likely they will be in a travel cot in ds's room (as it's a lot bigger). Or possibly the new baby in a travel cot in ds's room. I haven't quite figured it out.

I've never left mindees to sleep in a buggy even when they are asleep, as it isn't 'quality' sleep - it's cramped and generally not easy to keep quiet for them.

Original poster

Mak · 04/08/2006 17:05

thanks - that's what I thought as well. Are babies allowed upstairs then? I was given the impression that they could only be downstairs. From previous experience with DD1's CM (5 Years ago) she wasn't prepared to have a travel cot because it took up too much space. I'm quite happy to provide any suitable alternative - but not sure what!!!

OP posts:

Littlefish · 04/08/2006 17:08

My cm is only registered to use the downstairs of her house for childminding. My dd (21 months)sleeps in a travel cot which is set up in her dining room.

This works fine during term times when the cm's children are at school, but she does find it hard to sleep during the holidays when there is more noise, so is often quite grumpy when I pick her up.

My sister's twin ds's always slept in their double buggy at their cm's as the cm lived in a very small flat in London and there wasn't room for cots.

lunavix · 04/08/2006 17:13

Children are allowed upstairs - I believe that like kitchens and gardens they have to be ofsted-approved - however my certificate doesn't mention my upstairs or my garden or my kitchen... maybe the report does???

I don't know if you got on well with your past CM, but to me saying a travel cot takes up too much room seems to be suggesting that the CM doesn't have the room for your dd, or is unwilling to make it. This is just my point of view btw...

I suppose it also depends on how many other children are likely to be around. If I didn't have any other kids, just a mindee, and no room for that mindee upstairs, then I'd consider putting a travel cot in the lounge. However, a CM is supposed to be 'home from home' - and where's the home-like atmosphere in sleeping in the living room?

lunavix · 04/08/2006 17:15

Like littlefish says, I have too many mindees to have them sleeping downstairs too. Until recently I had 3 2yos (including my own) and 3 over the age of 7 - the three over 7 are VERY loud!

suejonez · 04/08/2006 17:15

lunavix - would you like to be my cm? You sound fab

lunavix · 04/08/2006 17:18

lol suejonez I do have a vacancy! I'm miles away from anyone on MN sadly

I have to admit I have very strong views on caring for littlies.... the older ones I'm still learning from (I don't have big ones yet myself!)

Original poster

Mak · 04/08/2006 17:24

Thanks to you both - this is really helping. It will give me the confidence to address the issue with some purpose. I've just found a samsonite pop up bed for 6-18 mths. So I could offer to buy one of those (if they're Ok) what do you think?
As for last cm - she was quite uncompromising - but was also very good in other respects. So it was a bit like out of the 'frying pan' situation. I really don't feel like I want to be in the same situation again though.
Have just been for a visit at new cm's to find another child asleep in pushchair - she was promptly awoken by our arrival - so as you say downstairs isn't suitable either!

OP posts:

Original poster

Mak · 04/08/2006 17:25

hands off SJ I was here first

OP posts:

suejonez · 04/08/2006 17:27

lunavix - not anywhere near kew then [hopeful emoticon]? La-la la-la, didnt hear what you said Mak la-la-la

lunavix · 04/08/2006 17:28

I personally would expect the CM to provide somewhere to sleep.. however if they're perfect in every other aspect then I suppose the cost of one of those travel cots isn't a lot in the long run!

Hope you find the right one soon

cece · 04/08/2006 17:43

suejonez I can recommend my old cm if you are looking for one!

claddersfamily · 04/08/2006 17:57

Mak, i have a older child samsonite travel cot. They are small and practical but as soon as my daughter could sit up on her knees she could tip it from the inside! We used it when she was 8 months old for a 3 week holiday and that was it! They are ok but the more sturdy one would last you longer. my dd sleeps in hers all the time at 22 months has not managed to get out yet! My mindees sleep upstairs in a travel cot or sometimes in the lounge if dh is sleeping still!

suejonez · 04/08/2006 18:09

cece in or near Kew - won;t need one until Jan probably but am desperate to get recommendations. everytim I ask people laugh at me and just say "God child care is SOOO expensive round here" not exactly helpful!

sleepycat · 04/08/2006 18:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cece · 04/08/2006 18:15

Oh I know a wonderful one in Isleworth {grin]

probably a bit far for you though

Original poster

Mak · 04/08/2006 18:23

Oooh that's interesting Cladders - my DD is very active, so will have to bear that one in mind!!!
Sleepycat - that's what situation I found myself in - which is why I thought if I turn up with some form of sleep cot thingy then that should hit the issue straight on iwthout anyone feeling too awkward. that way i'm not saying "I don't want you to put my DD to sleep in a pushchair" but rather "here's one I made earlier" scenario. I would find that soo much easier to handle.

OP posts:

FeelingOld · 04/08/2006 22:08

I am a childminder and don't have a spare bedroom so put up a travel cot in my bedroom on days Ihave littlies. I do however have 1 mindee who will not entertain going in the travel cot so have bought him a very large floor cushion(this is what he naps on at home) and he goes to sleep on that in front room (he comes on days when only have 1 other mindee who goes in travel cot so not a problem with noise).

The only time any of my mindees sleep in the pushchair is if we are out which is very rare (on days out in school holidays etc) cos normally like to be back home for nap time.

If your dd needs to sleep in a cot then I wouldn't consider any childminder who isn't prepared to do this (obviously may be odd occasion when not possible).

cece · 04/08/2006 22:12

TBH I have no idea where she used to put my dd and ds to sleep when they were babies Thinsk she had a travel cot in the bedroom. When they were a bit older and just having short half hour nap they used a sofa bed in the extension. So could be shut off from main living room.

dmo · 04/08/2006 22:16

i'm a c/m and use a travel cot
however new boy 1yr wont use it only sleeps in my arms or in pram
mum uses pram at home so is fine with this but personally i wouldnt have wanted it for my sons

alibubbles · 05/08/2006 06:26

I am a c/m, I caused a great ruckus on the UK c/m site by saying I didn't think it right for babies and children to sleep in pushchairs. I still believe a c/m should provide a cot, or bed if appropriate. I have two travel cots in my spare room, but if I have a new baby I bring one down to the sitting room or dining room which is cooler, so I can hear them and keep an eye on them more often.

In the conservatory we have a huge sofa, as it used to be our family room, sometimes the littles climb up with a book and doze off, you can get three of them on it, and they look so sweet fast asleep!

There are big concerns about children asleeping in baby car seats, my sister is a midwife and says they have research that says there is ore incidence of respiratory problems in small babies as they go in the carseat, then onto the pushchair frame and when they get home they are maybe asleep, so left in the seat for a whkle. It is too long, especially for their backs, babies should be flat.

If you think about it, how comfortabe is it for you as an adult to sleep upright in an airplane seat? That;'s what is must be like in a pushchair. (IMHO)

vix1 · 05/08/2006 12:38

I dont know if maybe you would consider trying your child on a sort of foam matrice that can go on the floor, what Nurseries use? But it may take some getting used to though, or you could mention that to the cm, and then she'd prob. agree that a travel cot would be easier and better!

franyfroo · 06/08/2006 13:24

i use travel cots in all three of our bedrooms or if they are able to use beds i either use separate sleeping bags on top of beds or mattresses on floors. pushchairs just get in the way, i find cots much easier and its quieter for mindees upstairs. babies would be in carry cot or moses basket downstairs though.

Original poster

Mak · 06/08/2006 20:10

Thanks again - am going to start looking at 'easy' travel cots now. like I said before it will hopefully sort out the issue from the beginning.

OP posts:

ThePrisoner · 06/08/2006 23:52

I no longer use my upstairs for sleeping - there was a bit of an issue about emergency evacuation of the house, and I was advised that I would have to leave any sleeping children upstairs so that I could "save" myself and any mindees downstairs!

I am able to put travel cots in my dining room - it's quiet and it dark enough with the curtains drawn, but I can still "see" into it through opaque glass doors.

However, we go out and about most mornings - which I do tell parents about - if children go to sleep, they will invariably be in a buggy. If I have a small baby, they can sleep in one of my double buggies which lies back completely flat.

Do those of you who prefer children to have naps in travel cots stay in to accommodate sleep-times? Crikey, I don't think I'd ever be able to leave the house!!

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