Questions about childminders

[MilkyChopsKid]

I need to organise childcare for my 6 month DD, from other threads I've concluded that a CM is better than a nursery if one can find a good CM.

However, I have a couple of concerns about going the CM route rather than a nursery:

How do CMs cope with children of very different ages - say one has to go to the loo, do they leave a baby in the same room as a much older child?

Is the school run for drop-offs and pick-ups disruptive and risky? I find it difficult getting out once some days, does the school run (perhaps to multiple schools) disrupt naps and feeding? How do CMs cope with several older children and babies when they all have to be kept out of danger on the roads?

I don't know how many children CMs can have!

I'm not questioning CMs professionalism, just raising my concerns about going the CM route.

Thanks for feedback.

I think a lot depends on the number of children your CM has and their ages. Mine has DS (started at 6mo) p/t, plus another p/t toddler plus a primary aged child, so no problems.

I think these are some of the questions you need to ask prospective CMs - get some recommendations, draw up a list of questions and go and have a chat with them.

I'm really happy with my CM and DS loves her - much better for babies IMO. She's older as well, which gives me more confidence.

One tip: choose someone who is involved in their local CM network: this means they should be getting up-to-date training etc.

Firstly, thanks for choosing a CM over a nursery. You've made the right decision!

I think if you choose a CM you'll have to understand that we do have children of different ages, and that will mean more risk in terms of older children being more boisterous. With a baby that young in many ways it's easier as they are non-movers and can be kept in a safe area of the room.

I think the benefits of being around older children far outweigh the risks. Would I leave a baby on its own with an older child if I went to the toilet? Probably yes, but it would depend on the child. TBH if I couldn't trust the child with a baby for a minute then I wouldn't take that child on in the first place.

School runs IMO are a great excuse to get out and about and get some fresh air. Quite often I'll pick the children up then go on to a park / library.

School runs aren't risky, especially for the baby as he/she will be in a buggy. If I was looking for a CM I'd choose one who walks to school rather than goes by car as it's more interesting for the children. When I have 3 under 5s I put two in the buggy and the oldest one walks next to me. The older ones walk in front in pairs and always hold on to each other and the buggy when crossing the road.

We can have 6 children altogether (although you may find some cms have more if they've asked Ofsted), only 3 of which can be under 5, and of those only 1 can be under 1. So your daughter would be the only baby.

I hope you find a cm that's right for you, I think it's all down to personality and the feel of the house rather than Ofsted grades.

Hi there

I am a cm with the morning off so will ty my best to answer your questions..

Coping with children of different ages,
this very much depends on the children I have a 7m old, 15m old and then ds is 3yrs so if he needs the loo I will go with him to help and usually the toddler will trot along afer us (my loo is on same floor), and baby will be put safely on playmat with toys in hearing. Some children can be left together some can't and a cm will have thought these things through before taking on additional chldren.

School runs in my house are like military movements with coats,shoes etc! I walk so babies in pushchair, reins if needed for walkers not road safety concsious, all children know to stop at kerbs until I say ok, and they all do this for me as we talk about how important it is. In a car childminders will have appropriate car seats for each child. Again it is simply being organised.

I find naps and feeds don't interfere with school runs and I go out to school for 8.50am, 12.25pm, and 3pm!

Childminders can care for 6 children under 8yrs, of those 6 only 3 can be under 5yrs and of those only one can be under 1yr old. This includes the cm's own children so there reg certificate may show smaller ratios, or they may have a variation on their certificates to care for baby twins or siblings for example.

Hope that helps I do tend to waffle!

Gordonthegopher is right about older kids, I have two older mindees who are fantastic with babies, I think it benefits all t kidsto be around children of all ages. Minded kids are generally far more considerate and caring/careful of babies than non minded kids IME.

Good luck in finding a nice cm.

Oh and DS loves my CM's youngest son, who is about 8. I agree (esp for only children) that being round older kids is a real bonus. DS's general communication skills jumped forward when he started with the CM.

I have a lovely CM for my 13 month old ds (started at 10 months). She has a 6 year old son and mindees aged 7, 3/4 (before and after school) and 2, as well as older kids of her own - the eldest is registered as her assistant. He clearly enjoys being there and the other kids and he seem to enjoy each other's company. The school two of the mindees go to is just round the corner and she takes ds in the buggy using a buggy board for the slightly older toddler. They also go out in the local area within walking distance - the library, the park, drop in groups at a children's centre. As a mother of 5 herself of varying ages, I'm sure she can manage the different ages etc better than I could.

I have a lovely CM for my 13 month old ds (started at 10 months). She has a 6 year old son and mindees aged 7, 3/4 (before and after school) and 2, as well as older kids of her own - the eldest is registered as her assistant. He clearly enjoys being there and the other kids and he seem to enjoy each other's company. The school two of the mindees go to is just round the corner and she takes ds in the buggy using a buggy board for the slightly older toddler. They also go out in the local area within walking distance - the library, the park, drop in groups at a children's centre. As a mother of 5 herself of varying ages, I'm sure she can manage the different ages etc better than I could.

IME all childminders are superwomen

I have no idea how my CM manages my two DSs as well as the other children but she does. I've seen them on the schoolrun when I'm working from home and it is safe, well-organised and makes me feel somewhat inadequate for the days that I struggle with my two! The older mindees are great with my boys and I feel like they have gained some older siblings. When I drop them off in the mornings they dash off and start playing with the bigger kids in a way that reminds me how much they are gaining from the CM environment. Also I get the impression that DS1 is better behaved at the CM and I think that this has something to do with his wanting to be like the older kids.

When you meet prospective CMs make sure you meet some/all of the other mindees as IMO it is really important that they are "nice kids". And it will give you a chance to see how she interacts with children which will tell you more than any chat with you.

Thanks for all the advice, it has reassured me considerably . The points about the CM network and meeting some of the CMs mindees hadn't occurred to me, and I can see now that DD being with older children might actually be a benefit - her social life has been a bit limited up until now .

Now all I need to do is find a CM forty miles away where we are hoping to move in the next few months!

Hi. Could someone tell me approx how much a CM will charge to look after my DS when I go back to work part time?
He'll be 10 months old when I go back to work.
I'll be working 3 days a week, and DS will be with the CM for about 8.5 hours per day - from 0800 to 1630.
I live in NE England.
Thanks.

eaglebird if you look on childcarelink.gov.uk you will be able to search childminders in your area and get a feel for what they charge. Don't just meet cms from this list though as some opt out of it. HTH

As KS says, look at childcarelink.gov.uk, but also look for the phone no there, and ring up to get a print out list sent to you from the Childcare Information Service, as a lot of CMs have more info available from there than online, for obvious reasons.

Oooh thanks ladies.