DDs (baby and toddler) at same childminder?

[MamaAfrika]

DD1 is 23 months old and DD2 is 5 months old. I'm returning to work soon, and have to sort out childcare for both (and we're moving to a new area, so DD1 is leaving behind her fantastic childminder - boohoo!). My question is: will a childminder take children with such an age gap, or will s/he prefer their mindees to be of similar age so that they can do the same activities?

I like mixed ages

I would have no trouble taking both (if I had the space ) as I don't think in those terms.

we take a mixture of ages!

we take a mixture of ages!

Childminders usually have a range of ages for children they mind anyway, I don't think I know any that would have a problem with this (although I've met a few minders who aren't too keen on minding babies).

I'm wondering how a childminder deal with babies that can hardly sit unaided while chasing after unruly toddlers, e.g. when in the park or in an indoor play-area. How do you take several small children to the park, along roads etc.?

'deals', of course!

I have been minding for years, have had three children of my own (including twins) and have got a wealth of experience of every age group, and probably every mix of ages you can think of too. I am not a "babysitter"; I do a professional job, albeit in my home, at caring for children. There are lots of similarly-minded childminders out there.

We can get support through local groups and networks, and can take advantage of training courses. In the same way that you, as a mum, care for two children of different ages, so can childminders.

When out walking, I use buggies (I have a choice of a single, double or triple), and always use reins or wrist-straps on young children. I think that most childminders are quite hot on safety issues. To be honest, if I had a mix of children that I would struggle to "contain" in a park or indoor soft play, then I wouldn't go that day.

You have already had a childminder, so you probably know what you are looking for in a new one. When you visit, if you ask the same questions as you have here, and you don't like the answers, then you probably won't choose that childminder. If you don't have confidence in the minder's abilities then, again, you aren't going to choose that childminder.

DD1 had a wonderful childminder who looked after only her on 3 days. CM didn't want DD2 because of the age gap. That way CM could join in all DD1's activities, e.g. climbing up things.

I'm not doubting CMs' abilities at all; in fact, I think they do a very important and extremely difficult job very well. I asked those questions based on my own experiences of merely trying to go to a coffee shop or the park with both DDs and coming back all hot and bothered. It sure ain't easy!!

I go out so that I don't have to stay in and get hot and bothered! It's much more fun being out.

I'm really surprised by your childminder though, that's not something I've ever heard of a minder doing. I love it when an existing mindee announces that they are going to be a big brother or sister!

We go to a huge indoor playbarn (one of those warehouse-type things with loads of tunnels, netting, slides, and places to get lost in) and I still go in with all the children. If I have a baby, I carry him/her too!!

Agree with Prisoner, as a childcarer working with young children, I far prefer being out and about, than stuck indoors.

With babies, I use a backpack (if they are old enough), so that if I had say a toddler and baby, we could explore the world around us - countryside in our case - without having to get a buggy over stiles. Buggy is used when there are suitable paths, such as walking around a local park.

I care for a 3 year old and 2 year old... they are 16 months apart and now get along great together. A year ago, they were not quite so buddy, but as we did everything together, they soon got used to each other. They are now almost the same size, and although different ages, they do the same activities. Even when they were younger, they did the same activities - playgym was loved by both, outings in the countryside seeing animals and collecting 'things'. Toddler group is still popular and they now play together and with others.

So I can't see why both children should not be with the same carer - it's more like being in the home environment. Your children will get to know each other, and get to play together as they get older. You don't really want the hassle of having a different carer for each child.

I agree with the others and don't see why you should have a problem. I currently look after (incl ds) two 3½ year olds and either a 13 or 14 month each day (older mindee is full time and little ones part time but together, make up full time iyswim).

The babies started with me at 5 and 6 months old when the older ones were about to turn 3. We all soon got used to it.

The 14 month old will have a brother or sister come January and I'm applying to Ofsted to see if I can take the sibling on the required days which would mean (say from when baby due to start IF allowed) 2 x just turned 4 yr olds, 20 month old & 2 month old. Like TP said, I'm really excited about the arrival of a sibling and will be really upset if I am refused by Ofsted to have them as current mindee would have to leave and go to a childminder who can fit them in their 'under 5' allowance .

I thibk it's easier to have a mix of ages. I always loook fowar to having a younger sibling when the time comes.

I have looked after 18 sets of siblings! Some were only 16 months apart,some 3 years apart.