Calling all childminders!!

[moomin35]

What kind of "instructions" do new parents leave you with with regards to their child's routines/likes/dislikes? Would you ever be annoyed/put out to receive any particular instructions/information or is it all helpful? Don't want to p!ss my new CM off!!

I'm only an e childminders, but you need to discuss any set in stone routine or strong dislikes before you make your final choice of childminders. If a childminders minds 3 children, he or she has to find a best fit around everyone's needs, so you might not be able to "instruct" your child under to do nap time in a blacked out, silent room between 1-3 if her other charges nap from 11-1 followed by lunch and an afternoon activity etc.

*oops that was meant to say ex-childminder.

Of course all info on child's likes and dislikes and usual routine is useful, but you can only really "instruct" on things that won't have a knock on effect on other children (you can instruct your child under only to use the baby wipes you supply, or not to give your child sweets, but routine and anything that impacts the other children needs discussing more flexibly).

I love hints and tips like head stroking to settle to sleep, or milk before sleep, or playing peek a boo when crying always cheers DC up. Set times for naps, or DC will only eat green food, or DC needs to be cuddled for half an hour in a quiet room, etc will need to be worked around. Most of this shuld have been discussed before signing contracts though. The CM should have told you what they are able to offer, to allow you to make your decision.

You will have already discussed basics such as nap times. I am a childminder and am as flexible as possible about naps but if a parent wants a nap in a travel cot between say 8.30 and 9.30 it just wouldn't work!however a nap in the suitable pushchair on the walk to school would. I have had both ends of the spectrum from basic 'whatever works for you' to a manual! Any tips are gratefully received when I am getting to know a new child. They are all so different. No childminder I know would be pissed off with a parent trying to settle their child by giving tips. Good luck.

I wouldn't mind a parent giving me pointers on what their child likes/dislikes or a rough idea of the child's normal routine. Eg, dc normally has a morning nap for 30 mins at 9.30, eats mashed food for lunch and has an afternoon nap at around 1pm. What annoys me is when a parent fibs eg, parent tells me that their child is really good at getting themselves to sleep, only for them not to be able to do this and it turns out baby is normally rocked/cuddled/breastfed to sleep for each nap or that the dc eats anything for them to refuse food and it turn out that actually child will only eat plain pasta with yoghurt for pudding.

So always be truthful, don't just tell cm what you think we want to hear.

The more information I have about a child, the easier I find the settling in period. I hate having to second guess what might be coming next/what dc is expecting to happen next. It's much easier for me and dc if I have a rough idea about the child and what they like.

I like to know about the routine the day before.. how well did they sleep and what did they eat. But ALL of the children i have are part time, so this could concievably change from week to week.

I ask parents for the tired tells... on boy makes a funny noise with his mouth, another pulls his ear and another curls his hair round his fingers.

ALSO, Please, please, please, bring a blanket from home or a cuddly toy. The children need a homely smell. no matter how confident they might seem, sometimes a smell from home is just the thing they need (have you seen the advert ...Daddys voice... well the smell is much more important than the voice imho)

most of all communicate with you cm. we arent mindreaders, but we can help.

Mostly remember there is a settleing in period where you will all find things that are acceptable

I always ask for a written routine and they fill in questionnaires which includes everything else -a bit like a "All about me" form.I do warn them though that, because of school runs etc, their routine may alter a little whilst there at my house .Not usually a problem though.

As much information as possible is always great! As others have said - what are their cues that they're tired? What always comforts them when they're upset? What food are they guaranteed to eat?

Actual instructions might not always work though as nap times may have to be moved due to school runs or whatever. I always stick to them as much as possible though.

Thanks everyone

Hi.

Just wondering if anyone knows of a childminders who could have my daughter before and after school.

We are hoping to get a place at woodlea that is in woldingham, they don't have a breakfast nor an after school club. Just wondered if there's a child minder who would be happy to have my daughter Amber. It would obviously require the taking and picking up Amber to school. Maybe there's a mum who's child already attends Woodlea and take couple other children as there is a market it for it with the lack of pre and after school clubs. Any help would be greatly appreciated :) thanks