Any childminders who have worked during lockdown

[ashley69ly]

Would any childminders be willing to share their experiences of working and what measures you've had in place. I've been closed as even though I have several keyworker's children on my books they have been kept at home.
With the weekends announcements, I'm expecting that within a few weeks I'll be needed again and I admit I am anxious about it.
Other than collecting shopping I've been at home with my husband working from home and my Dd furloughed and I am anxious about having other people back in my safe haven- I hate this feeling as ive always prided myself on my house being a second home to my mindees.
I've read the guidance but as usual it's more geared to schools and nurseries and I was hoping that you could share how it has been for you and has anyone in your family got ill. I want to do the best I can for everyone and I miss my families and want everyone to stay safe, so I want to get my head round the reality and be ready to go when I'm needed.

Morning I've been open intermittently for key workers throughout. All drop offs / collections have been done at the door and swiftly and anything that needs further discussion has been done either over the phone or through a communications book. Drop offs and collections have also been staggered to minimise risk between different families. Children wash their hands on arrival and periodically through the day. All soft toys and non wipeable books and resources have been removed and cleaning increased. Thankfully the weather has been pretty good so lots ( majority ) of the time has been spent outside with several activities set out for children to access. Social distancing though is really hard and there's no way you can keep the children 2m away from one another . Another huge struggle is littlies putting resources in their mouths and I feel like I'm constantly cleaning. I have a good thermometer so I can regularly check for temperatures we make it as fun as we can. I feel drained to be honest my working hours have increased with the amount of extra cleaning and staying connected not the only with my Key worker families but also the ones not able to use my services right now. There's no going out for walks as my mindees wouldn't be able to social distance properly and is a risk I'm not willing to take. Thankfully none of us have been ill or shown any symptoms but I do fear that some parents may still send children with slight symptoms. My daughter is in YR 1 and has been kept at home and will not be going back on the 1st June because I cannot get her there safely and because I'm available to have her with me, never mind my actual concerns of how any school is going to cope. I won't lie it's hard I question myself daily if I'm doing the right thing but without my services the front line would suffer. Good luck what ever you decide, stay safe x

I have been open through out, I have moved from being in my lounge to the dinning room as hard floors easier to clear and no sofas etc been touched. I have a limited amount of toys out and they have no access to the others. All soft toys cuddles and dressing up put away. Only those that can be wiped down is out. I have always done door step drop off and collection and that’s not changed. The kids wash there hands on entry and through out the day. It’s been tough especially homeschooling my own two. Story time is now done with the children sitting on the floor and not my lap.

Parents don't come in and stay 2m away from the door if possible.
Hands washed as soon as children arrive.
No books, soft toys, cushions.
No lunchboxes, bags staying here all week to avoid coming and going
No toys from home
Children aren't accepted if they have been given calpol
Door handles, switches, stairgates cleaned regularly throughout the day
Just being really on top of normal cleaning and hygiene.

As above...box for each childs shoes etc at door. Taken to back door for the garden...hands washed on entry. Each child has there own colour...through to cup, box of playdo, activity tray, cups.
Paper towels and lots of tissues
Lots of drink
Garden play
Hand wash frequently.
You cant social distance but I try to sit to the side or behind to avoid coughs etc.
Laminated resources like threading cards and disposable string. Each family has there own sandbox
Lots of junk modelling
Easy clean toys