CM Club: I want to ask a serious question here....so DO NOT shout at me

[Katymac]

There is a point to this question although I might not make it for quite a while

What is the difference between a childminder and a babysitter?

All answers welcomed and must not be ridiculed (please?)

a childminder must be trained in icp minimum, first aid and hold a valid certificate of these, plus be reg with ofsted and have PL insurance and be crb checked.

A babysitter generally is someone someone knows who fancys making a few quid on a quiet night(like i used to a short while a go!), sometimes they ARE cm's who hold all these qualifications, mostly not.

Why you ask chick?

CM needs to be CRb checked and ofsted reg, training constantly! Babysitter could be anyone you trust really, why ?

did you expect me to get on my high horse and shot about not being appreciated as a proffesional then??

Katy you take your life in your hands

Maybe I should post again in 'chat'

I actually want to know

*How childminders percieve their difference to (or is it from) Babysitters
*How parents percieve childminders difference to (or is it from) Babysitters

LOL..get the hard hats and pop corn..looney will put you straight and no messing with her hormones!

i see what your doing, maybe better in chat so will get a broader opinion?

btw is it difference to or difference from?

I don't consider myself a babysitter, not with the constant amount of training that gets brought in - actually I feel really kind of proud and professional and would be quite gutted if parents viewed me as mere babysitter (as some definitly have).

A child minder will care for and stimulate and educate a child and meet all of their needs, to ensure they grow up to be as eductaed as young children can be (if you know what im trying to say) and will be fed a balanced diet, and will do a range of activities so that over the course of a day / week / month or whatever the child has an oppertunity to learn and experiance a huge range of things, to enable them to get the best out of life and learn etc....

(not put that well but I know what i mean)

they will also be 1st aid trained, and a proffessional at their job

A babysitter sits there and ensures the child doesnt die or seriosuly injur themselves during the time the parenst are away, and if lucky may even read the child a few stories or play the odd game as well, or sit on front of the tv watching a DVD with the child

Hey hey......I'm miss chill now dh has finally got off his arse to make me dinner!!! I'm not so hormonal right now, just damn metal mouth!!

Katy - as a babysitter I checked the cupboard for crisps, ate, drank coffee and watched tv! As a childminder....well.....it's all been said already!!!

I see the difference more in the hours. A childminder is someone who works (probably long h ours, full time if not more) and a babysitter is someone I call upon to come to my house and look after the kidies while I go out to dinner. Although a babysitter could work during the day I see him/her as someone who does a few hours here and there. A childminder is a business I take my child to for a long term stable routine.

Katy, I know my view probably isn't the sort of thing you are looking for, but here it is none the less.

A babysitter cares for children at the child's own home.
A childminder cares for children, at the childcarers home.
Babysitting usually takes place between 6pm and 2am, whereas childminding usually takes place during daytime hours.

Incidentally, I see myself as being a nanny when childcare is provided at the child's home during the day, and a babysitter when childcare is provided at the child's home during the evening.

Oh , Nannynick DEFFO doesn't do what I did when I babysat - but I was a teenager when I did it!! (hopes not to have offended the wondering Nannynick!!! )

A childminder's answer:
A babysitter keeps your children safe from harm in their own home and is not required to be registered with Ofsted or have any formal qualifications. A babysitter will appreciate use of your tv and/or pc or power outlet for their laptop. It is the parents responsibility to take up references and to decide what, if any, qualifications, experience or skills they want to seek when choosing a babysitter.

A childminder keeps your children safe from harm in her own home and on outings. A childminder reserves a time slot for the sole use of your child for which she plans age-appropriate activities and a nutritional menu with due regard to current regulations and advice. A childminder is required to register with ofsted, undergo first aid training and childcare courses, have appropriate insurances and adhere to or exceed the National Standards. She is required to have medical & CRB checks as are all adults living and regularly visiting her property. A childminder is a sole trader running her own business. As well as being the boss she is also the bookkeeper, toilet attendant, wardrobe mistress, curriculum planner, product buyer, maintenance & repairs technician, negotiator, risk assessor, first aider, chef, dishwasher, waitress, laundress, receptionist, secretary, interviewer, telephonist, web mistress, story teller, singer & musician, clown/entertainer, cleaner, agony aunt, nosewiper & nappy changer, publicity officer ... (nb sorry I've used feminine throughout for ease of reading, I'm well aware there are competent male childminders)