Want to become a CM

[nedkkk]

Hi,
I'm just wandering what sort of service would you like to get from your childminder (separate rooms for each child, organic food, outgoings, garden, sing and sign???) The competition in our area is really tough and I want to provide what parents require and be outstanding from the crowd.
Thanks.

[ThePrisoner]

I just don't let the children go to sleep in my house, makes life much easier!!

nedkkk - assuming that you have got a loft room with a fire escape - wouldn't you still have the problem of everyone being on different floors (ie. some asleep and some playing elsewhere?)

Despite this, I think that offering as much as you are able within whatever hourly rate is acceptable in your area is what all childminders should aim for! Even if you are the best minder in the world, if you charge too much, you might not get the work.

I think it's important to go out and about (music group, library, soft play and - dare I say it - toddler group), but have met parents who don't like this. Others prefer a CM who doesn't care for older children (the dreaded school run), some parents like the CM to have pets but others don't.

I am not the best person to answer this anyway, because most of the parents I've minded for eventually admit that the reason they chose me is because I'm totally mad. Not sure that this is something I should advertise.

[gooseegg]

I put my travel cot up in either the living room where it is quieter, or the playroom with us if I have babies staying.
Almost all of the older ones prefer to fight sleep or to either fall asleep whilst being cuddled or to curl up in our soft corner on the floor with the cuddly toys when they can't fight it any more.
I do have an upstairs bedroom for children as I am registered for overnight care, but the fire evac point is a very good one and a valid reason to keep everyone downstairs within a scoop and run distance.
The best thing you can provide to prospective parents is great references from current and past parents.
Go with your gut instinct on what YOU would find the most important if you were leaving your children with a stranger.

[Katymac]

If you are downstairs with child 1 and child 2 & 3 are asleep upstairs how do you get child 2 & 3 out without putting child 1 at risk??

[nedkkk]

What if you have got a fire escape upstairs (in a loft room)?

[ThePrisoner]

The fire evacuation issues mean that I no longer put children upstairs to sleep. If we had to leave the house in an emergency, I was advised that I should take the children I had downstairs out with me, and leave any upstairs for the emergency services to deal with. I couldn't agree with that!

[PanicPants]

For me, I would prefer separate rooms, as ds just won't settle if anthing at all is going on in the same room - this is one of the reasons we wouldn't ever consider a nursery.

Also freshly prepared meals daily, planned activities, lots of the usual art activities, free play, water play, sand play, rle play, dressing up etc.

Going out to various groups (well at least 1 or 2 a week)

FRIENDLY

A love and affection for children

Can't think of anymore!

[Katymac]

If the baby sleep away from you, you need to consider fire evacuation

My babies sleep in the next room and I have several cots

Also they need to be fairly close (or you need to use a monitor) to listen out for them

I have several ages and tend not to leave them alone much (if at all - occasionally to go to the loo - tho' they do come with me)

[nedkkk]

And separated bedrooms during the day are usual? When we are talking about bedrooms/sleeping what is your routine for putting children to sleep after lunch? Do you take older ones who already don't go to sleep with you when you put the little once to the bed or are you allowed to leave them in a playroom occupied by something?

[Katymac]

Very few of us do overnight

But the OFSTED standards state that overnight children must be in their own room - so that is normal (afaik)

[nedkkk]

Yes, it is what I mean. Does someone of you offer that? Do parents require it?

[mykidzrmyworld]

DO U BEDROOM FOR EACH CHILD???

[ThePrisoner]

I like the idea of leaving one child in each room, would stop all the squabbling!!

[nedkkk]

Its own room for each child.

[Katymac]

btw what exactly do you mean by "separate rooms for each child"

[mykidzrmyworld]

MIght be worth you askign this question on a parent thread as most of us are CM's nannys etc.
Some services people offer are picking up from parents houses and dropping off but thats not always practical.

[wurlywurly]

bumping you