Cm: Planning work around a shoulder operation

[Mymadworld]

I've got to have a shoulder op at some point in the next 3-6 months (waiting list timescales so cant be precise) and need to plan ahead for being out of action for some of the time immediately afterwards and then possibly reducing the number of mindees whilst I'm recovering.

I will be in a sling/cast for 2 weeks so thinking realistically do you think I should say no little ones at all during that period or would 1 or 2 walkers (age 2-3) be ok? No problem with school children as it's a walk to school and DH can help with meal prep so it's just serving food, supervising homework which I'll need to do for my own Dc anyway. I then can't do any heavy lifting or drive and need to be really careful for a further 4-6 weeks but can't afford to take that much time off (not to mention nightmare for parents!). If I'm lucky it might come through before Christmas which I take off anyway but chances are it will be January/February time and my normal week is 3 pre-schoolers (1, 2 & 3) and 4 after school (5, 7, 8 &9). I don't have any insurance to cover it

You need to speak to the parents. They might prefer you to take the full two weeks off, possibly longer to recover. Particularly littlies, changing nappies, picking them up after a fall etc. Will you be able to do those tasks?

Oh goodness yes forgot nappy changes no chance with one arm! Thanks will speak to parents but that's definitely the youngest off for 2 weeks so pretty prep them at least.

A few years ago, one of dds teachers broke a limb and for insurance reasons wasn’t allowed to work with a plaster cast on. I have no idea if having a cast on would affect a childminders insurance but might want to chesck with your company to be sure. Older school age children I’d think would be easy to manage, smaller preschoolers much harder, but if you have a positive, can do attitude you might be able to manage.

Have you anyone who would register as your assistant to help you through?

Have you considered your emergency procedures? Can you safely conduct an evacuation and follow any first aid situation that might arise , including choking procedures?

Thank you all things to consider. It looks like it might be sooner than I thought so need to start planning and realistically think I could only manage one slightly older per-schooler so might see if I can juggle my days as I normally have Friday off but could have 1 that day for a few weeks if parents can swop their days. Dh can be around at teatime so that makes a big difference too.

You need to check parents are okay with this. The emergency procedures point is very important. Also they are paying for a service and you won't be providing the standard you usually provide.

I don't think you should have any preschoolers whilst one arm is out of action. Do you have a childminder friend who can help you out for a couple of weeks?

You really do need to have a proper chat with the parents as the level of service you provide will be temporarily below standard and they may not be happy with the set up.

How will you cope if there needs to be an emergency evacuation? Do you need to make Ofsted aware?

Yes, and agree about any first aid situations that arise. That alone would be a big worry for any parent.

Realistically I think you need to close for 2 weeks at the very least. Can you work with another childminder so they temporarily have your mindee. I have been in a similar situation where my childminder friend had to close completely for 3 weeks due to an operation.