Would you take your child to another CM?

[JustWingingLifeAsUsual]

I have a regular childminder but she's unable to do one of the days when I have to go work. She has said that she has a friend who is a qualified childminder and she can take him for the day but I am worried he will be distressed as He doesn't know her. I have no more holidays left either and I cannot afford not to go work! Do you think as a one off it'll be fine?

He is 2

Are you sure he hasn't met her? Think often childminders meet with other childminders so he might know her more than you think. It is also useful for him to have an alternative place in case the original childminder was away/ ill.

Presumably there was a time when he met his current childmfor the first time.

I've done thus. It wasn't ideal as DS was only newly settled with his CM but it would have been such a struggle to take a day off. The one day CM had been doing it for years so I knew she wouldn't be thrown if DS decided not to like her all day. He recognised her from groups though, and in the end he had a lovely day.

These things happen. Your DS will be ok with a different CM.

One of my mindees had to go to another CM for a week. I just made sure she had met the minder and the children she cared for. She had a lovely time.

I’m a childminder and the children I look after know a lot of other childminders. Some better than others, but they are still known to the children and I am confident that any of the children I look after would be fine with any of the othe minders I would suggest for cover if I couldn’t work for some reason.

Two of my minded children went to another childminder when I had an op - they had met her numerous times either on the school run, at playgroups and even been to her house before. The youngest (1.5) didn't bat an eyelid and the older had a few tears at drop off but was otherwise absolutely fine. Speak to your childminder and see if/how familiar your dc is with her and how well she knows her but it can work well.

Usually CM will have other CM they use as back up etc. They also have other CM they meet at groups or go out and do things with socially.

Before I became a childminder I used to take my children to two wonderful minders. Neither could do all the days I needed but between them I was fully covered. The kids adored the both of them and they each had their own take on days out and crafts etc so the kids experienced lots of different things. The kids still talk about them both and are keen to say hello if we see them around.

Now I'm a childminder there's a group of us that meet at least once a week. It's great as if one of us should need emergency cover we are not strangers to the children. You may find your little one knows the other childminder already and perhaps some of the children in her care