Concerns over changing childminder

[Hitchyhero]

I'm not happy with my childminders for a number of reasons. It's quite large childminders in the sense that they have 3 helpers and so a bigger number of children then usual, which I don't mind.

But I don't get any updates whatsoever. No updates on development. Handover is them saying 'he's been as good as gold'. I get one or two pics a week. My sisters child goes there to and her son is a bit older and she gets info on what they've been doing. I know they watch TV for portions of the day which I don't think is right.

I've seen pictures of other childminders doing tons of activities and trips out and I look at mine and think they do nothing at all. My child is behind on speech (he's 3) and is not speaking much. My only concern pulling him out is he's adopted child and I don't want to just pull him out cutting out relationships he's formed. He does settle to new places quite well but I just don't know what best.

Hmm I’d wonder why not have a nursery than a childminder if the setting has that many kids anyway. Depends on how many days you have him in for but could you cut his days ie like down to one then have him somewhere else on other days to ease the transition.not sure if that’s allowed in a COVID world though

There's a new EYFS coming in and some areas are piloting it already.

The idea is to cut right down on paperwork and reporting, not only for childminders, but for nurseries, too. The emphasis is on play and learning for the children, not constantly reporting back on development.

It's actually how the original EYFS was intended to be. No ticklists, no development reports, except for the mandatory 2 year check.

So I wouldn't worry too much about a lack of written updates.
However, any setting should be able to give you more information than just a general comment if you ask them. They should know your child well, especially in a smaller setting, and be able to discuss concerns you have.
Is your sister's child going to school in September and yours is not? It may explain why she is receiving more detailed information.

Trips out are, of course, limited at present. TV shouldn't be an issue if viewing is limited, but it shouldn't be excessive.

I think you need to raise all this with them. If you're unhappy with their answers, then consider moving your child to a setting that better meets your needs.

It’s a very difficult time for childminders at the moment, we used to go out most days to various farms, zoos, libraries, music and toddler groups but are now stuck in everyday. We try to go to the park but it’s pretty busy and as the children are all very young they don’t understand how to social distance from each other.

We do tend to watch a little tv with the older children when the babies nap after lunch as it helps them to recharge their batteries for the afternoon.

On my last ofsted Inspection I was told there is no need to do so much paperwork. Not even a tick chart is required anymore, as long as I knew where the children are with their development it would be sufficient.

I’ve also found over the years that some parents love to hear what we’ve been up to during the day but others just want to Collect there child and get home quickly. Maybe just have a chat with the minder and ask for abit more feed back :-)

It also depends on what sort of TV they are watching.

Thinking about our TV use this week, we've done Andy's Workouts, an online toddler group and an online yoga class. We watched a programme about penguins in the snow.

All would be described as TV watching.

Hi, as a childminder I no longer do any paperwork including tick lists for the children in my care. Like someone else mentioned the new EYFS is out is September and no paperwork is needed at all expect 2 year check. I know my children well and more than happy to talk to parents about their development. Drop off and collection times is not always the best time to have in depth conversations but Iam happy to have chat later over the phone when I am not working. I stopped all daily dairy’s in March on advise from local authority on reduce the amount of items going backwards and forwards between mine and mindees homes. To be honest I am glad they are gone and will not be re introducing them none of my parents ever read or commented in them , I would find craft in them days later which is all very sad for the child.

I've stopped daily diaries as advised at start of covid. We used to go out to loads of places like farms nature study centres, parks etc but most envolve driving which is not advised at the moment, lots are closed and play parks have issues of keeping hands sanitised so we do local walks and excercise using cosmic yoga on TV my 5 year old key worker child watches bite size for some of his lessons, before covid the TV was only on for after school if the children were tiered and staying to 6pm for the last 10 minutes. I would hope that if my parents wanted more information they would be asking but after a 10 to 11 hour day withbthr children then the deep clean plus on line training (minimum 3 hours every monday) and coursework i dont spend as much time chatting with parents on a daily basis