Am I missing something here - what are the children whom you are meant to be minding doing while you are on the Internet??

[fivecandles]

Because I would be livid if I was paying you to mind my child and you were Mumsnetting.

Though that's if I knew that about them at all - it's all a bit hypothetical this isn't it? But 'buys a paper every day' versus 'seen posting on mumsnet daily' - one has a hell of a lot more potential for sucking up time, causing constant screen refreshes, regular ranting at screen and occasional total absorption in writing a reply ("someone is WRONG on the internet" ) than the other one - one is much more likely to cause distraction to a level that could have a negative impact on my child's day.

What I'm saying is that I would not employ someone like me if they had access to Mumsnet during their working hours - actually in any capacity, not just as a cm. I know not everyone is like those of us who are more hooked - but wondering if they might be would be enough to put me off a daily mumsnetter - sorry!

Just put a bottle of that fanjo shampoo or whatever it was on the table and watch for their reaction.

ah cunning luminous, that would be impossible not to comment on...

PS If I WAS a childminder, I would ban myself from the internet during the day as I know I wouldn't have the willpower to keep it to 5 minutes here and there - so I wouldn't be a daily mumsnetter if I was a childminder.

Well, I have no use for CM's atm, It could change when Dd3 comes along.
From my point of view, children do not need adult interaction every minute of every day. My dd's are more than happy playing with and alongside each other and if they went to a CM, although I would expect a reasonable amount of interaction, I accept that CM may not be with them every second.

Sorry that should read 'I have no use for CM as both DD's are in f/t school'

I have to say after reading most of this weird cm-bashing thread, that I would never and have never mn'd while minding. Personally I don't have the time, but I think the cms who do use it before mindees arrive to swap notes, support etc, which can be invaluable in this job.

The only times I go on-line are if its to print stuff off for kids, or one-off neccessities like today, at half five, mindee and my three dc all eating dinner together, I put laptop on to buy something essential on ebay ! essential for cm;ing that is.

Although I see no need to justify this to th op who obviously hates cms for some reason !

In their defence and mine, all if the cms I know do a better job than they are ever appreciated for - so much of what we dois simply unknown and unpraised. With eyfs we are running a mini nursery in our homes, |IMO a much harder job than nurseries have,

Sorry rant over, just had to join in !

well fook me after all that,she didnt come back on and answer the Q

oh well ,some of the comments were funny as

Rachel,a nanny who accesses t'internet on mobile sometimes whilst at work

I have frequently wondered how the people who's names are always cropping up manage to care for childen and use mn. Some seem to talk about loads of children so are obviously very busy working at the same time. I've always been concerned at the welfare of their kids. Yes I do (very rarely) use my computer during my working hours when kids are asleep. I add the odd comment to a thread. I also watch teachers tv online which has a fantastic range of training videos, to improve my practice.

What's with the other thread seems like unfair childminder bashing to me.

Fairly new to MN (because of being a new CM ironically!), I can't believe it's that bad

Givemechoc, no it isn't but somehow the poor exeption attracts a lot more attention than the many good cms/nannies/parents.

There is a thread praising cm , for the cm who need a little TLC.

mumsnet.com/Talk/childminders_nannies_au_pairs_etc/646824-Was-yesterday-shout-at-people-who-look-aft er-children-day

I think childminders nannys etc are great

indeed we are foxy

what some parents dont seem to relise that without us nannies/cm or nurseries - they wouldnt be able to work!!

I posted earlier but just to reprise...

I turst my childminder to be sensible. You must your childcare provider - if you don;t you are a mug. They are caring for your child ffs and you don;t trust them to be sensible about internet usage, making coffee, watching tv blah blah blah. It should be a relationship based on trust.

FWIW I don;t spend more than 5-10 mins at a time on MN when DS is around because he;s not a child that would let you wihtout persistent nagging so I would doubt his CM would get onto the internet much. And if she does whilst he's playing football with her boys then good for her, one ofthe reasons I chose her was because she has lovely boys a few years older than DS and as an only child of a single mother I wanted him to have a family environment. Frankly I'd rather he was playing football with her boys in the garden than sticking and pasting with her.

trust - TRUST I trust my childminder (bleedin hell!)