what do you do about holidays and appointments etc?

[breaghsmum]

im considering becoming cm and things keep popping in2 my head so i was just wondering what way you all deal with holidays, do you have a set time each year that you always take or do you just let parents know when you feel you need a break? and also if you have a dr or hospital or dentist appointment to go to, what do you do? do you close for the day or take midees with or what? just getting an idea of how to work things
TIA

I book my holidays with my parents in January, that way they can work around me.

my contract actually says 4 weeks notice tho.

Hospital appointments I usually try and get the last appointment of the day, so Parents finish early, normal Dr's appointments I try and make them after work, same with Dentist.

I used to tell parents when I would be off on holiday at the start of the year BUT I would recommend thinking carefully about this as it means you may find it harder to change plans if needs be or feel like a break.

I used to ask parents if it was ok to take mindees with me to appointments but obviously try and arrange them around times you work. I never had a problem with parents saying 'no' and if the do - they will have to make alternative arrangments.

ok so its not unusual to take mindees to appts with you then? do you work bank holidays or take them off? also, this has just came into my head. i have a dog and cat, dog stays outside during the day. is this generally acceptable or will it pose a barrier to getting registered.?

When I registered I had a dog, cat, rabbit and fish. Didnt cause any problem as long as you show that pet food etc is kept out of childrens reach and that pet visits with the children are monitored and also you will need a pet policy in place .

As for appointments etc. You might not be lucky to fill in all your places (like a lot of CMs) so you might find, like me, have a couple of afternoons off every week. Then it doesnt pose a problem.

Good luck it is a lovely job.

I usually take children to appointments if parents are ok and it is appropriate for the children to be there. Check for children's fears I have a child who I only took to the dentist with me once, he screemed the whole time I was in the chair, later found out child was scared of dentists. Good to have some written policy on back up available to parents if you have to take time off for holidays, appointments etc. to give parents choice if they want to send child to another minder for the time you are unavailable.

I have animals and ofsted loved my accounts of how the children care for them, and my safety checks around the animals. Can be an advantage on your inspection to have pets, depends entirely on the ofsted inspector's feelings about animals I think.

thanks, thats a real help, im sure i'll think of something else soon but thanks for now.