Which cm to go with??

[beammeupsc0tty]

I'm in a bit of a quandary of which cm to go for. My baby will be 10 months when he starts but we'll be using the childminder until he's 3.5 so I'm trying to consider his needs at the moment plus his needs as he grows.

First cm works in a large house whereby she has an assistant and basically uses an annex as her cm setting so very big, nursery like setting with lots of space, dedicated garden area for the kids. It's quite busy because they have at least 2-3 children under their care each (one childminder and one assistant). They've said by the time my son would start the oldest child would be 18 months so lots of little ones concerns me. Or is that a benefit that they will be similar ages?! Can't decide. The setting is very impressive and I can see him being happy there to 3.5 years.

The other setting is a more traditional childminder setting with one sole carer in a smaller house just using her living room but I can see as a baby he may get more one on one attention. Only problem is I'm worried he'd be bored by 2 years.

Any insights?

Hi. Just one thing to bear in mind that even though the second cm is working from a smaller setting, she's likely to be out and about at playgroups/library/parks/ music groups etc. (At least will be when they reopen) so won't be stuck in a small setting each day.

Good luck with your choice.

I’m a childminder more like the second one you describe, but honestly, i think it is more important that you choose the one you like the most and feel you have more in common with in regard to child rearing.

It wouldn’t worry me that the oldest child would be 18 months old. I have had several time over my 14 years of childminding where this has been the case. It’s hard work, but easier in a way becasue everyone is at the same stage.

I agree go with feel that you felt with the CM ... the number/ratio children they have will change over the whole period there is nothing you can do about that... also is DC only child or will they be around lots of others when not at CM? If not then I'd be tempted

My baby does have an older sibling but he attends school (5 years). It's for full time care five days a week so is very important I get the right person! Thanks for all the advice.

my cm was like the first one, she was totally fabulous. Because they had an assistant they could easily differentiate activities, so they would go everywhere - shops, playgroup, cm groups, the library, the park... as appropriate. But if the kids werent up to it, such as they were a bit under the weather, oor had a bad night then they didnt have to go anywhere. They loved it and her. To me the setting got the best of nursery and a traditional cm.

They still go and see her now and my eldest is 28 and the cm retired!

Go with who fits your parenting the most settings can look lovely but it's what suits the child best. There is no reason to assume a child needs to move at any particular age it depends on the activities and experiences offered. I've had loads stay to reception and do brilliantly when they start.

Go with your gut feeling about the CM and how happy the kids seem. A small house means very little as the chances are the CM gets out every day with various activities. Who wants to be stuck in with young children? Nobody that's who.

We've had various childminders but I have to say the ones who were more 'business-like' in a more business-like environment weren't as popular with our kids. Our last CM was in a small house and was very homey, but she was absolutely my favourite CM ever and our DS loved her.

I’m a bit puzzled about the age thing - what are you worries about

That she has children they are older or younger then your 10mth

A Cm can have 3 under 5

They may have 18mth. They may leave. She may take on a baby. Some may take on a 3yr

Ages will be different

Does the cm on her own have a garden

Ask what the both do - a typical week

I wouldn't focus too much on which other children a CM has because IME this will fluctuate over the years you are there.

Focus on the CM themselves, their style and how they are with you as well. Unfortunately, I have been bitten by a bad experience with a CM who had a wonderful setting, former teacher, excellent paperwork etc. She couldn't cope with my eldest, my youngest got bitten and she didn't communicate with us at all. She would tell DH to his face everything was fine and then send me a huge text message when I was still in work ranting about how terrible my kids were. I moved the kids after a month.

My current CM is amazing. Very similar parenting style and communication style as DH and I.

I can't understand why you think he would be bored after 2 years just because the childminder has a small house. Even childminders with bigger houses and assistants can bore a child depending on what activities are offered!

My children went to a childminder with a very small house and as she worked alone it was a small group of children. That group though were such good friends and my children saw the childminders ode as their second home. The childminder welcomed my children into their family and was so warm and welcoming. I would choose that over a big house any day of the week!

I'd personally go for the 2nd as a younger age needs more solo attention. They wouldn't stay at home much, more likely out & about with childminder friends, playgroups etc. House size doesn't matter - bigger house, bigger prison?

My sister pulled her 2 from her childminder last year, who had 7 children including 2 under 3 (no assistant). Not saying your first option is like that but it sounded chaotic and I thought she was just trying to max. her earnings. Zero outings to the park and she never communicated any problems. If her older children weren't getting adequate attention, imagine the younger ones...

@SummerBlossom.
A childminder can not have more than 6 under 8 at any one time

My nieces are 10 and 6, so maybe that's how she managed to get 7 children...

Yes but presumably all the over 5a (and some 4s) were at school so limited time to have all 7

I went for one like the first one. The bonus is that if one of them had to nip out or sick or on holiday there was always another member of staff there to take on some of the children.

Any insights?

Go with the actual CM you like the best not on who the other children are. The other children may move out of the area if they don't go to school. The best child care settings are where children of different ages can play safely together. The older ones will show the younger ones how to play with things and play with them.

My childminder pre-covid would normally spend half the day going to a playgroup and a walk in the various local green spaces, now she can only do the latter. So the fact she has a large house and garden is only a blessing now.

@unicornparty.
That only works if the assistant is a childminder in their own right. Assistants can only be left for up to 2 hours if they have a first aid. They can not do longer and if no first aid can not be left at all. Also only 3 under 5

It’s 3 under 5 , 6 under 8

So if neice was 10 that’s how as not counted in numbers

I have 7 or 8 children, it certainly isn't chaotic and we go out every day!

Most childminders have 6+ children in total.