CM Club: What do you do with your baby mindees?

[KaySamuels]

I have a new mindee this week, a lovely 7m old. He is absolutely lovely, really happy, sociable and sweet. He has a play mat with toys and sounds on, and is happy on there. Can sit up, roll over, etc but not crawling yet.

What do you do with your baby mindees? I have a playgroup one morning, and am thinking of soft play one morning, and story time or park depending on weather another morning. I haven't minded a baby for a while and because we are stuck in due to the dreadful weather I feel like I should be doing more. He is happy tho and not yet mobile so not much he can do except play, and music (likes pat a cake etc).

do you have any other mindees at the same time you have him cos that could affect what you can do?

ds went to a childminder at about this age but he was her only mindee the days he went. she took him swimming, to story and music time at the library and to a baby group when he started crawling. these were all included in the price. i also paid extra for her to take him to tumble tots.

I have a ds aged two who is here all the time , then from 3pm have school aged kids, from 1 to 5 depending on the day of the week.

I did uake ds to tumble tots (never bother for the summer term), but if I went back with baby I would have to move ds down to the baby group (9m-2y), which I'd rather not do, would rather find an activity they will both enjoy!

soft play,music groups, library ,toddler groups,

Lots of eye contact.
Lots of talking.
Lots of colurs and lights(you can get sensory suitcase from ncma, mencap, councils, eydcp etc, which are full of colourful, tactile, moving things)
Lots of counting toes and singing songs.
Lots of cuddles
Lots of raspberries, tongue waving, nose touching.

Babies are party animals and tend to love big groups. Add in some time outdoors and you've just about got it covered.

Babies need your attention not fancy venues, but if it helps to prevent you getting cabin fever, then go for it.

That sensory suitcase sounds great will look into those (could do my own if can't find one).

I guess I asked as with mindee being so little he is just happy playing and socialising with me and ds (plus other mindees) and I felt unsure if I should be doing anything else. Don't like to be out all day everyday, but I like fresh air and it breaks the day up I find. (usually go to two things a week and will probably stick with that I think).
You summed it upped really well maggi - he loves all those things (and thankfully we do them all), so thank you.

Thanks all for your replies