I've just started a new job and my 16 month old son has been at a new childminder, part time for the last 2 weeks. He is very easy going and so seems perfectly happy with her, although he has real problems getting any sleep while he's there. She is lovely but I just don't feel comfortable yet and I'm not entirely sure why. I don't know how much of my uneasiness is just part of the normal transition or how much if it is based on the cm. Here's a summary.
- She has hired 2 assistants who are there most days but leave before I pick up so I have only met them once in passing. The cm has been sick this week so the assistants have been holding the fort while she sleeps upstairs. The assistants sound competent but they're young (somewhere between 17-19 I think).
- because she has two assistants, she has increased her capacity and it feels very hectic. Her house is a small terrace house and it doesn't feel like there is the capacity for many kids.
- the cm feels a bit disorganised. I still haven't got a signed copy of the contract.
- on his third day she lost his hat. Things happen, I realise that, although I was really found of that hat (lesson learned...don't send him in anything that I care strongly about!) I'm more annoyed that she hasn't made any effort to find it (it was lost on a trip out to a playgroup)
- she doesn't communicate well. This is a personal thing cause communication is important to me. I tend to text her cause I don't like calling when she got her hands full with kids, and on her "off time" I don't want to be pestering her so I think texts are easier. But she's not very quick or consistent about getting back to me (eg. texts checking if she'd found his hat the next day were never responded to)
- she's planning to take extended leave soon and the two assistants will run the show. I knew this when I started but now I don't feel so good about it.
- she doesn't seem to do any structured play (like crafts etc) - it's just free play, but I appreciate she's been sick.
- the kids sleep in the play room in "pods" which is not great for my son and he's barely slept while there so he's exhausted.
I like her and she has outstanding on ofsted, so am I just being pedantic? (please answer nicely, I'm feeling sensitive!)