CM Club - Drop Off's..........sometimes making me late for school......

[looneytune]

Morning

All mindees who are dropped off with me arrive between 8.15-8.30am (I charge from 8.30 as that's when they want me but I ask them to come around 8.15am, free of charge, to make sure I leave on time). One family do a very quick drop off, no update or anything but at least it's quick and we get to school (well...ds's nursery) on time. The other baby is dropped off perfectly (i.e. quick update but then off) by dad but when mum drops off sometimes it leads to a chat whilst I'm rushing to get ds's teeth brushed, shoes on, maybe lunch finished etc (unfortunately he goes a bit mad when other grown ups are here and doesn't listen to me properly until they've gone).

Yesterday and quite often when she drops off, I end up late dropping ds off. Luckily it's ok as they are very casual at the nursery as no register and being a little late is not a problem. Thing is, I don't want my job making him late and also, I'm going to be doing a school run to pre-school soon and I MUST be on time.

Is it acceptable for me to make a comment about drop offs having to be quick? I have a diary system and welcome parents updating it too but I just don't have time for 10-15 mins of chit chat about what mindee has been doing since last week, I really wish I did but it's the time they drop off which makes this a problem.

This morning mum dropped baby but was very quick and said 'sorry, gotta rush as off to appointment' so I was actually relieved HOWEVER, was also a bit annoyed that my hints yesterday and other days about rushing to get ready are just not registering.

Any advice? Please, I need to sort this but not seem unfriendly at the same time.

Thanks

Gosh you lot are far too nice - must be my teaching background; I spend approx 30 sec to 1 min 'handover' (used to 30 kids so very matter-of-fact about it). I would also charge from 8am but I'm obviously a miserly b*itch!

And ahem not too sure how to put this LT but seeing as I have met you in RL you.. um... do tend to talk quite a lot as well!!

Thanks everyone.

Mo - you've made me feel sooooooooo much better. I've been a bit sensitive the last couple of weeks (another story) and was starting to think I was a crap mum and crap childminder for being unable to get everything sorted perfectly and on time. Believe me, I try to get ds sorted but he can be a right so and so and plays up more when parents are here. He listens to me MUCH more when he's not showing off!!!!

Oh, and if they aren't here on time then I'm off , but they are not late, just 5 mins before I leave but the chit chat then makes me late iyswim.

Gosh, I do try and be organised but even when the 2 sisters I have are dropped off at 6.45 (like they are again on Monday), you'd think I'd have plenty of time but things never go like clockwork - usually they do a great big poo each around the time I'm putting coats on then I have 2 dirty nappies to rush and change and then re-dress them again and put shoes on. If only you could program children eh!!! (oh gosh....please don't anyone think I'm being horrible for saying that.....IT'S A JOKE!!!)

I think we should have aboard of nice parents, FF I nominate you as our first Parent.

Can I nominate one of mine who when I did my back, took me to the hospital, another who brought me dinner, and another who got me to bed. Lovely parents.

That was spose to be some of mine, and thay all paid me for the two days I had off.

PMSL at the talking a lot!!!!

Yes I do but NOT when I'm trying to sort the kids, that's why I'd expect them to take the hint as I'm not my usual chatty friendly self when I'm in a rush!!

LT if a CM dosnt talk alot how are the children supose to learn to talk

LT are you the one who had a mark like a cigarette burn on one of your mindees? Did you ever get to the bottom of it?

Yes, I read some of the childminder threads, as I leave my ds with one & like to get the general idea of what I am/ should/should not be doing

I've gotta show you this My nomination is for the parent who gave me it. I got it for my birthday, which she never forgets, or DD or DH. I opened it on my own, when I'd had a tough morning with the mindees, they were all asleep and I cried. The words still blow me away. How much does she appreciate me? Well, I do start at 6.15 in the morning for her for the last 6 years!

Ah, maybe thats why all my mindees can do salsa and sing alot, Shosh!

Shoshable - well, all my mindees are VERY good talkers

FF - you sound like a lovely parent, unfortunately there are so many that treat us like &*$%! Having said that, this mum who's chatting to me is SOOOO lovely and I haven't got a problem with her, just want to sort this little thing out without sounding horrible! Oh....the ciggy burn......as I kept saying I really didn't think that's what it is but our training tells us we can't ignore these things. After chatting to some other people, we THINK it was probably a slide that gave a friction burn. Very odd they were perfect little circles but other CM's I know said their kids got perfect circles from slides at soft play and when I mentioned to mum, she said she'd been on a slide the day after coming to me plus again at a pub garden over the weekend and I do believe her.

Ah that's good then No-one wants to think a child has been hurt

I know, that's the day that set off a TERRIBLE week for me!!!! I really didn't want to call SS but I also couldn't ignore it as I'm trained to NOT turn a blind eye. I just wish it hadn't looked like that as it looked exactly how I'd looked once when I got a fag burn on my arm (I was clubbing and knocked into someone).

Anyway....thanks everyone for your advice. I'm off to get ds to bed and then crack open a nice cold beer and watch the soaps

Have a good evening everyone.

LT x

Eh Maureen how is it easy to be organised if you work in an office? I still have to get both my children dressed and breakfasted, DS's book bag/water bottle etc sorted, my own lunch sorted, DS's swimming bag packed if it is Tuesday, a snack/drink/activity for DD while we are at DS's swimming lesson, DS's tea sorted if it is football night, DD's hair done etc etc.

FF2 - I sadly don't have access to a garden but we have some lovely parks nearby and spend lots of time outdoors. I am able to leave the double buggy in the hallway downstairs during the day then bring it upstairs each evening. Mindees get lots of exercise climbing the stairs!!!!!

Bozza, I was referring to Clandestine,who said that LT should have her personal things sorted before she starts work. I know people who work out of the home have to do all the same things as cm's, but ultimately, when you actually step into your office, to start your working day, you have no children with you. If children are your job, its a bit much to be expected to be ready every day - impossible in fact!

Yes I realise that Maureen. But I don't see how it is more difficult for her to have already made packed lunches by 8.15 than it is for me (especially since I leave the house at 7.20 which is probably why all our packed lunches are made the night before). I actually agree that the packed lunch should be finished by the time the mindee arrived - although things directly involving her DS - cleaning his teeth, putting his shoes on etc - might not be. Just my opnion. But I'm not sure doing down Mums who work in an office is all that helpful.