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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

What would be the perfect childminder to you ?

14 replies

Childmindertobe1988 · 09/10/2023 21:44

Would you be happy if your childminder goes to playgroup ? Be out and about in the morning and afternoon? Or prefer her/him to stay at home a bit ?

OP posts:
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SecondUsername4me · 09/10/2023 21:48

My CM was really good. She did:-

Toddler groups two or three mornings a week
Trips to the park or farm on the other weekdays
Walked everywhere (didn't use a car at all)
Provided lunch and dinner daily
No tv
No pets
Local primary pick ups/wrap around so dc used to visiting the local primary before they attended
Bigger "days out" a couple of times during the school holidays when not tied with pick ups/drop offs
Supervised garden time daily for the smaller dc, then free flow garden time for the school aged kids

Dacadactyl · 09/10/2023 21:49

If I was going to use a childminder, the main thing that I'd want is a no TV/screens policy.

NuffSaidSam · 09/10/2023 21:51

I think a mix is best.

Normally, a morning activity outside of the house, then back to the house for some quiet time/naps, then school pick-up and then afternoon at home to play/occasionally the playground if the weather is good.

Childmindertobe1988 · 09/10/2023 22:14

Thank you, you are very helpful!

OP posts:
nokidshere · 09/10/2023 22:22

If I was going to use a childminder, the main thing that I'd want is a no TV/screens policy.

I was (retired last year) a childminder for over 20yrs. I've looked after over 100+ children. I am (was) an ace childminder! (And modest)

The best childminders are the ones who keep your child safe whilst you are at work. Safe, happy, fed, stimulated. The ones who try to ensure that all the children's needs are met.

The best parents are the ones who understand that sometimes days are hard. School runs, shops, libraries, playgroups are hard enough with 2-3 small ones in tow without arriving like drowned rats with unhappy children, sometimes a car is necessary. Likewise, screen time to relax a little after lunch or whilst waiting for parents at the end of the day is calming for many children.

If you want bespoke childcare then you need to have a nanny. What do you think a childminder can do if you want your child to go to playgroup but another parent doesn't want theirs to?

'My' children are all grown up now. Some of them have been coming to my house for 10+ years. They treat it like home. I treat them like my own. I am still friends with many parents and the children (now young adults) keep in touch, visit and drop in to be fed sometimes. My young adult children are going to the pub with the children they grew up with.

As I see it the best childminder is one where you can drop your child, safe in the knowledge that they will be happy, cared for and safe, which enables the parent to fully concentrate on their jobs.

I cooked breakfast, lunch, and a 2 course dinner from scratch every single day for the children in my care. We had amazing fun, doing a whole host of fab things. But we also had snuggly winter days with popcorn & a film, or educational games on the computer, ITNG whilst waiting to be collected, pingu after lunch when the babies went to sleep. We went further afield in the car, met up with friends & playmates (some are still friends even now in their 20s).

A childminder is a home from home, somewhere your child can be themselves and thrive. Don't be put off if they use modern technology or sometimes have slob days, your child will benefit from those things.

I also tried to make the parents lives as easy as possible. Made appointments for those who couldn't in work, took parcels so they could collect when they collected their children, just generally helped them out.

jannier · 09/10/2023 22:37

Dacadactyl · 09/10/2023 21:49

If I was going to use a childminder, the main thing that I'd want is a no TV/screens policy.

You do know nurseries often have a screen session especially after lunch don't you?

SecondUsername4me · 10/10/2023 00:01

jannier · 09/10/2023 22:37

You do know nurseries often have a screen session especially after lunch don't you?

Presumably in this case, that poster would look for a Nursery which didn't do this then.

hby9628 · 10/10/2023 09:17

@nokidshere love your post. I'm a childminder too and without even trying you become an extension of the families. It's more than just providing care for the children. The emotional support you end up giving the families is a massive part of the job. You sound like you did an amazing job. Hope you are enjoying retirement xx

Childmindertobe1988 · 10/10/2023 14:18

@nokidshere I want to be you !!

OP posts:
jannier · 10/10/2023 14:29

SecondUsername4me · 10/10/2023 00:01

Presumably in this case, that poster would look for a Nursery which didn't do this then.

It's not something advertised generally but most I've been in as an assessor have done it.

Dacadactyl · 10/10/2023 14:46

@jannier and @SecondUsername4me well I was a SAHM til my kids went to school so I've got no idea what childcare providers do or don't do.

I responded to the question what would I want.

HAF1119 · 10/10/2023 15:41

The things I want personally - good communication, able to discuss and be consistent with family in terms of how to do things - share their experience etc so that I can follow similar consequences for behavioural issues etc. I send my own food so I do quite like there to be an option to have food heated as I would use a minder in holidays and stick with the routine of hot meal at lunch, cold tea in the evening (my child needs consistency).

Most importantly safety and happiness of child. Screens etc doesn't bother me as long as not excessive (as in - I work from home and could put the screen on for 8 hours and do my job, an occasional wind down time, or movie snuggle is fine, but not an all day on thing!)

Childmindertobe1988 · 10/10/2023 19:05

Thank you so much for helping me !

OP posts:
jannier · 10/10/2023 21:32

Childmindertobe1988 · 10/10/2023 19:05

Thank you so much for helping me !

How far into registration are you? Is it Ofsted or an agency? There are other places that can advise you.

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