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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

CM CLUB - Warning, I've got lots of questions coming up

21 replies

looneytune · 09/05/2007 17:16

Just wanted to pre-warn you that I've got loads of questions going round my head and I'm going to be relying on all of YOU to help me with your words of wisdom

First one is a quicky and I'll do that now

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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KaySamuels · 09/05/2007 17:18

ask away hun, sure someone will have words of wisdom!. Personally I don't know what I'd do without CM club! So nice to have people to throw ideas around with! [smile

PinkChick · 10/05/2007 09:36

where are your questions chick????

Original poster

looneytune · 10/05/2007 11:45

Hi Pinkchick. Here are the 2 I've managed to post so far. Was out last night so just going to check back on them whilst baby is napping.

Mindees here at dinner time but not HAVING dinner.......

Anyone have mindees who are OBSESSED with shoes/jackets etc???

I've got other questions so I'll do seperate threads and then post a link on here for you to help me

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mumlove · 10/05/2007 11:49

I think that the cm club is excellent for advice and support. Please keep it up ladies and the help form nannynick, many thanks to you all.
I wish the doctors were more helpful (I can get an appointment for DD at 6pm on monday!!)

PinkChick · 10/05/2007 12:06

ah sorry chick thought you were putting them on this thread!

reg meals/dnner time- i have one mindee who's reg here late but does not have tea, i juyst give him a yogurt, bread stick, pancake(plain)juice etc(he's 17 months) while other ones eat, i did same with older mindee when her mum said no to dinner even when she was with me until 6.30pm

Original poster

looneytune · 10/05/2007 12:09

pinkchick - presume you got permission first though? i wanted to feed her but was worried she wouldn't eat her dinner so wanted to check with parents first

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PinkChick · 10/05/2007 12:12

i did for older mindee(now she stays or gos before tho) but second tot mindee i sat him with us and when he was going for the others food i gave him it as snack, not a lot so he wouldnt be full, i just told mum when she came and said i hoped it was ok as i didnt like to see him hungry..she does know tho if he starts wanting/eating wtea with us she will have to start paying but a few bits like this is just a snack.

MaureenMLove · 10/05/2007 12:21

Hi LT, I've got exactly that problem tonight. Usually, I've got one mindee who eats dinner with us and I usually have dd sit down with him to eat hers, although dependig on clubs etc, its not possible every day of the week. Tonight, however, one of my mindees has a football match to go to straight from here, so his mum has asked me if I can feed him. Not a problem, he can eat with other mindee and dd, but his brother will not get fed! I did tell his mum, I'd feed him too, but she said he could wait til he got home to eat with her. Poor love. Not sure how I'm going to play it really, probably save his after school treat til they all have their dinner. TBH, since I've had this particular bunch for years, they know the place so well, they just get on with it. I think I'd try to persaud the parents to let her eat with you, that way they've got more quality time with her at home. Especially with the nights longer at the moment, they might find it a god send.

MaureenMLove · 10/05/2007 12:23

The DAYS are longer - not the nights!!!

Original poster

looneytune · 10/05/2007 20:16

Well dad seems to be ok with her having some dinners here so we just need to talk about when etc.

Another thread for you......Sickness Policy

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Original poster

looneytune · 11/05/2007 10:40

I'm asking this question on here in the hope that my friend doesn't read this as she's a MNetter! (friend.........if you read this, sorry! just wanted some thoughts )

Right, I have baby on Thurs 1:1 (paid double for 2 spaces). She's a lovely little 2 month old but she cries LOTS. I'm sure there's something wrong with her and we are working on this but putting that aside, I'm trying to make a decision. Baby SHOULD be here until the end of the year and parents are great so no reason for wanting to give notice there! Part of me wants to work through these problems as I'm sure things can only get better PLUS, the settling in period ended yesterday so really, I should be giving 8 weeks notice if I want to stop. I could give notice but find that by the end of working it, baby is fine? . When I thought about that yesterday, I decided I wouldn't give notice HOWEVER, a MN friend of mine is DESPERATE for me to have her 2 children 2 days a week, she wants to stop using a nursery, doesn't want any other childminder, has got it in her head that only I'm good enough - no pressure then! . It's LOVELY to feel wanted like this but I also feel very bad about it all and not sure what to do, she emails me and says in a joking way 'oh, get rid of baby' - she's not pressuring me there, just having a mess about I think. What would you do? I've always said I wouldn't look after friends children but could be ok. But then I'm not sure about giving notice for baby as could be over the worst by the end of the 8 weeks.

HELP!!!

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KaySamuels · 11/05/2007 11:01

Hmm tricky one, if the baby's parents are nice ie appreciative, commmunicating well, paying on time I would say better the devil you know. I think the fact they are paying you double for one to one care is brilliant btw! Think would set a time frame for baby to be more settled ie give it six weeks and then reivew.
As for working for friends, I know some cms won't do this but I do it for a friend - my friend really appreciates me as a cm, pays me well, her kids already knew me so no settling probs, etc. Why does your friend want to move from nursery? This may give an indication of the care she expects to receive from your as a cm. Would she pick up on time, pay you, etc? Would you feel awkward asking her for money or telling her you can't have her kids if they are ill etc?

Original poster

looneytune · 11/05/2007 11:05

She's heard me moan enough about problem parents she wouldn't dare mess me about . I'd tell her from the beginning she'd get treated no different as I can't afford to! She wants to move from nursery as she's been reading bad things about nurseries and their effects on children and she's worried this is why her dd is a bit full on at times. She said she knows I'll give her baby lots of love, kisses, cuddles etc - she's seen me with 4/5 babies now so knows what I'm like with them.

BUT, parents appreciate me, we're working together, they are lovely, pay on time so far etc etc. I'm not sure where I stand with extending settling in period? It ended yesterday .

Right, she wants bottle so be back later

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KaySamuels · 11/05/2007 11:30

Is there anyway you could have baby and friend's kids on different days? Maybe one parent would be willing to change work days? Or do you not have spaces on other days?

Original poster

looneytune · 11/05/2007 11:35

I'm totally full with under 5's, have 4 Mon-Wed

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julia5 · 11/05/2007 11:56

Hi looneytune, nope can't think of a solution to your question apart from as kay says to review situation with the 1 2 1 baby in say 6-8 weeks, then take it from there. It must give you a loveley warm glow to think your friend thinks so highly of you

Original poster

looneytune · 11/05/2007 12:07

Thanks, with your posts and chatting to LMG's on MSN, I've decided that the reason I'm giving this proper thought is because I feel so bad for my friend (tad bit stressed as moving house in few weeks plus due to go back to work shortly after so lots going on in her head). I can review baby situation later but if still not working and decide to give notice, it's 8 weeks notice so long time with crying baby if she's still doing that. Oh well, I'm not one to quit and I keep reminding myself how hard my other baby mindee was when she started at 7 weeks. She's a dream now and it's a great feeling to work through problems like that. Although she didn't have a problem, it was just her being so young. This mindee definitely seems to have something going on but I'd love to work through that and see her all happy all the time I think I've decided NOT to give notice then

YES, it IS a lovely feeling to be wanted so much HOWEVER, as I said to dh last night, I feel more 'bad for my friend' than 'happy she wants me' - does that make sense? I wish she'd just give other childminders a thought

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mumlove · 11/05/2007 13:05

If you did want to take on your friends children, how about giving notice to the sisters you look after as their parents have been a problem.

The baby is still young and when doing more for self like rolling over, sitting up things do get better. I know that doesn't help now though! Does baby use a dummy for comfort/soothing?

Original poster

looneytune · 11/05/2007 13:14

I know, I know, but I just can't get rid of the sisters They may end up going if mum is pregnant again like I suspect but I just can't bring myself to do it myself. Plus, my friend wants 2 days a week and they are 3 days.

Tbh, it's more about THIS baby that got me thinking about it all - the one I am currently rocking in chair with my foot

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Original poster

looneytune · 12/05/2007 14:53

I've updated my thread about au pair being taken pi** out of and now I'm worried about the girls even more. Would you mind letting me know what you think?

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Original poster

looneytune · 12/05/2007 14:54

link here

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