Benefits of childminder

[riab]

What do you think the benefits of a childminder are over nursery (if you think there are any) for a 1-2 yr old

I have had schoolchildren aged up to 11/12 years after school (boys and girls) and, without fail, watching the relationships develop between all the children is really lovely.

Even the most-hardened 8 year old boy who didn't want to leave his old childminder and come to me because of all the "babies", was soon seen giving out cuddles to small children whose faces lit up when he arrived!

The older children might want to play on a games console, build nuclear bombs out of Lego, or race around the garden attempting suicide missions, but they will also sit (unasked) and read "Cat In The Hat" to the littles.

I childmind in a 2 bed flat. I have a 4yr old who's at school and look after 2 under 2's. At sleep time, one sleeps in my son's room and the other sleeps in the lounge, both in travel cots. During this time, I'm either tidying the kitchen or having a coffee in my room!!

As for school runs, I also think that it's a bonus that the child is out and about in the fresh air. Maybe I'm lucky and have a pleasant walk to school by the river or via a playground.

I don't have much experience with day nurseries and, until I became one, had no experience of cm's. I used to be a nanny and saw childminding as a step down from nannying. I now know how understated cm's are. Any good CM will be able to demonstrate how good they are!!

What type of food would you expect from a 2 course cooked meal? I provide food, usually lunch and tea. Lunch is light then a cooked tea. I provide at least 3 portions of veg and at least 2 portions of fruit per day. This was also something my ofsted inspecter wanted to see.

Good luck with whatever you decide, you'll know when you've found the right carer/s for you child.

P.S. Have you considered a nannyshare? Not as expensive as a nanny but can be more flexible to meet your needs.

I agree with whta the others say about lovely relationships between older children and under 5's. My mindees of 12(boy), 9(girl) 7(boy), 6(girl) and 5(boy) ADORE all the little ones and vice versa. The 14 year old(girl) who 'left' me 2 years ago still pops in on her way home from school once or twice a week to see the little ones, feed a baby, read a story, play a game etc.
The under 5's LOVE going on the school run and chat to the big ones all the way home. You could also see the fact that there are older children around as a sign of continuity of care - all the above children have been in my care from between 3 and 6 months of age. I don't think many nurseries keep them that long!

I am a c/m and have 2 travel cots upstairs for younger babies/children to have a nap, although some toddlers/older children like to snuggle up on the sofa in the lounge with a cushion and blanket when they are tired. C/minding is flexible and I try to fit in with the parents wishes regarding sleeping routines as much as possible. Most nurseries put the children down for a sleep in the afternoon regardless as to whether they are tired or not, which is too institutionalised for tiny ones.