How important is interatction with other toddlers?

[Madmoxxi]

Hi all looking for some advice about toddler socializing, my wonderful childminder closed without notice last month so i had to find another in a short time. I'm pretty easy going so as long as the cost is reasonable and my daughter & minder are happy together then all is good!

After messaging a few I met with the first and was pretty happy. She has dogs which is a huge hit with my DD(2 years) and when i popped out to the car for 5 mins my DD didn't even bat an eye. My concern is CM doesnt have any other mindees at the moment.

The reason for my concern is, I have massive spcial anxiety and it's ruined my life, everything is a struggle, and i am terrified my daughter will pick up on my awkwardness and end up the same. We don't go to soft play because of work and also I'm just so frightened of the places(we would have to go at weekends) and all my friends have children who are a few years older.

While CM situation is subject to change I'm worried if it doesnt, will my daughter be at a disadvantage by not socialising?
CM seems super lovely(ive only ever met with 3 and they all have been so its hard to judge!) my DD was at ease straight away and did I mention the dogs! ( which CM desperately tried to keep in the kitchen but my DD would not stop asking to see them!)

It becomes more important as they get older.

When groups etc start again, would this CMer take her to any playgroups or CMer groups ?

Do you work FT / does dc go to CMer FT ?

Obviously places / other mindees can be quite fluid - it could be that she has a new mindee start very soon, or, if you'd chosen someone with another mindee, or mindees, they might have left within a month or two anyway - I wouldn't choose / no choose a CMer on who else was there.

Not very important before the age of three in my opinion. More important to have peers as children get older.

Hi, Iam a childminder during term time I have 3 children in and then in the holidays 1. Little one is a very happy social little boy. He gets lots of 1-1 time when others are not in and fun trips out. Pre lockdown I meet up each morning with other childminders at each other’s houses and playgroups so the children all have a ready made set of friends which they look forward to seeing. We are hoping to get the children together soon in a park/ garden before weather turns bad as they have all been asking for there friends.

As a mum of a now just turned 3 year old I feel it's very important to have interaction with other children as much as possible and as young as possible. Have you looked at a nursery so they have that interaction? My biggest reason for sending my DD back to nursery when they opened was the interaction, it wasn't for me to be able to work but for her. She's a happy little thing anyway but the happiness she had when she went back was something else. Playing with other children is so so important for their development and I completely disagree with a PP who said Not very important before the age of three in my opinion. More important to have peers as children get older

@RollercoasterRaver - it does depend on what other mixing the child / family does. They may be at an active Church on a Sunday (or Mosque on a Friday or Synagogue on a Saturday, etc etc). They might have lots of cousins or a parent who regularly mixes with friends who also have small dc. There are all sorts of other places dc can interact with others apart from childcare.
Before 3, dc are generally 'in the moment' and interact with whoever is alongside them.

I think interaction is important

Is she looking for 2 more - can have 3 under 5

Does she meet with other cm

Will she take to park ?

And mother and toddlers if /when they open again

Have you spoken to your cm about this? Will other dc be returning in September? The summer holidays are traditionally quiet period for cms do don’t care for school aged dc. Some might be term time only dc, some might have dc away on holiday. This year, is a weird one anyway as childminders have lost dc because of covid/furlough/parents redundancy. So please speak to her before you consider anything else. There may be a perfectly legitimate reason and in a few weeks your child will be in a lovely group, playing and learning to socialise as you imagine. A massive part of childcare is that it gives your dc the chance to bond with another adult, this is also a massive step in child development, so your child isn’t missing out because there are no other dc there, that will come in time.

I will point out, a child in a smaller group, has far less chance of catching anything, which could Also be a blessing this winter.

I’d imagine the CM will be expecting to get other children sharpish - I only pay mine £5.50 per hour which if she’s only got one child is well below minimum wage. I don’t think it’s a feasible business if they only have 1 child long term so I imagine she will be looking for new clients ASAP (though I wonder if the dog may put some people off - it would me...)

Doesn’t answer your question, sorry!