And the prize for the weirdest CM goes to .......

[WriggleJiggle]

I've just visited a whole caggle of CMs in order to find one for the dc. How weird some of them are.

CM 1 - During the 45 mins I was there spoke to her current mindee ONCE. Mindee played in furthest reaches of the room, spoke to me but wouldn't speak to CM.

CM 2 - Explained she didn't want to work in the holidays (thats fine), but expected to be paid 8 weeks at full cost during that time.

CM 3 - Cbeebies at full volume meant it was difficult to have a conversation with her.

CM 4 - Advertised one cost, when fees were discussed suddenly increased it by 30%

CM 5 - "Oh, some people are so scared of my dog" That's because it charges up the path barking at people.

CM 6 - Has a boy and a girl mindee, but "all the girls toys are up in the loft"

CM 7 - Current mindees don't sleep in cots, she prefers them to sleep in car seats so she can fasten them in and they don't fall out.

Perhaps we just have weird CMs around here? Or perhaps I still have PFB and PSB symptoms

whats registration? (sorry for the dumb question, i'm still pregnant with my 1st).

Childminders have to be registered by ofsted. To look after other people's children in your home without this registration for more than 2 hours a day is illegal.

Sorry, nutty (and I'm sure you very normal and lovely), but I think if this woman was registered she wouldn't be offering references from church. The references would be from clients and she'd be be talking about her registration certificate.

look at childcarelink.gov.uk (or something like that) for childminders in your area.

ok, will do...and thanks!

callme.. as a cm I would never use a nursery actually as after working in a few you have alot more to worry about believe me!

I once went to see a lovely CM and dd1 played with her ds for a little while and then they came back in the room and her ds was holding a toy machine gun against dd1's head then put it in her mouth shouting kill! kill! kill!
dd1 was about 18 months at the time and was frankly unperturbed
I was a little I must say being only in possession with a pfb at the time and not even allowing cbeebies

Athene - that only applies if looking after other children for ££ or equivalent though.

Not just money... the term used is "for reward", which means any sort of exchange - could be goods, services, money, box of chocolates. It would be very hard for someone to prove beyond reasonable doubt that there was no form of reward occurring. After all, why would someone look after someone else's child, for no gain at all.

I saw the most awful childminder when I was looking - two terrified looking little girls, filthy toys and a potty in the hall that the girls peed in instead of using the bathroom - and they were well past potty training stage.

There are some great childminders around, but I think it is a question of luck. Ours is generally pretty good, but there is an element of unpredictability which you just don't get with nurseries. We'll move DS at two, if not before

After all, why would someone look after someone else's child, for no gain at all.

are you serious? I look after other people's chidlren all the time.
what a sad view of the world that is.

So why do you do it harpsichordcarrier? Occasionally to help out a friend is one thing, but to do it say 5 days a week, every week is quite another. What do you get out of it?

Don't get me wrong, it is very very nice of you to be providing childcare for free... but there can't be many people around like you. I don't feel that most of us would provide free childcare.

I had 2 childminders, the first one was dreadful and I still feel guilty I left my DD with her.

The next one was recommended by a friend and I swear she was an angel! I was devastated that she couldn't be packed and come with us when we moved. My DD absolutely loved her and the CM and her family were fantastic. I'm sure there'll be a good one out there for you too - you just need to find one with a good reputation and go on a waiting list if need be.

Thanks Narkymum that was constuctive
Perhaps you could list your cons so the OP can have some info to go on.

Cons of DDs current care: A bump that was not reported as an accident - the carer has been disciplined and re-trained. Several cases of badly cleaned bums - I talked to the Manager and she is now pristine all the time. Too many pictures to put on the fridge but I still need to keep them much to DPs annoyance . I have had to find out what brand of sweetcorn they give them as she would never eat it at home but would there, she now eats it at home! Having to compete with the Chef at Nursery as she prefers her cooking to mine. Driving back at random times on my lunchbreak to check on her/them, never seen anything untoward but you never know! Having her tell me please and thank you if I forget

Horses for courses etc. But please be constructive.

I did not mean to worry just making point that it seems this thread is a bit of an anti cm and pro n. Of course I know some dreadful cms but I know more fab ones than fab ns. When choosing a n be aware that staff are taught to put on a parent "show" Also only 20% of staff need to be trained and the rest can be training. Whatever the policies ns hold all of them leave these young girls in sole charge on a regular basis some of them not yet having recieved 1st aid training. Alot of the staff are young girls (cheap to employ) and like to discuss ahem "young girls things" over little heads including who has the hottest daddy. Sadly it is still the case all though the eyfs will slowly change this i am sure , that if a girl is not acedemic and not a high achiever at school they are sreered towards childcare or hairdressing. These are the people looking afrer your kids. Whereas yes there are some awful cms (not usually the ones out and about in community though) but again the eyfs will hopefully put them off and they will leave. But cms are all mums some many times over, they have experience in life and they have all had a training of some sort def 1st aid some nvq3/4. I am a network cm as most of my collegues and have a foundation degree. Sorry for big rant but I have seen some fab cms on here and cm is my passion and I hate to think of a few baddies tainting all the good work that is being done . Amen

From September 50% need to have NVQ3 and 25% NVQ2 so EYFS have done something good....worry is that they will expect C/Mers to do the same

I agree there are fab CM about I know 2 as good friends - sadly no vacancies when I needed them. One of them will be looking after DD in school hols when she gets old enough to be at school

I think we all have the same worries about leaving our DC, no matter where or with whom. Even if my Mum had her I would still worry (probably even more tbh). My Sisters 2 are cared for by their Granny and my Sis is always moaning that she does things her way not the way they agreed. However the DC love her to bits and have a fantastic relationship with her. Swings and roundabouts IMO.

Just thought I'd better update.

I have now found TWO of the most wonderful CMs you could imagine. Both seem to be absolutely barking mad, but in a lovely sort of way.

Both had a great raport with their mindees, both had pets that clearly enjoyed young children, both clearly took pride in their work.

It's like buses isn't it. None for ages, then all of a sudden, more than you could possibly need! .

Ahhhhh, faith in CMs is restored!

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