Any CM/Nannies etc have students coming to their home?

[chloejessmeg]

Hello, I am a new childminder and I am pregnant with my second baby. My DD is only 1 year old and baby due in april so will have my hands full with my own, but can't really afford to have time off, because I would loose my one mindee. I only have the one mindee 9 hours a week so it is not like I am having to take on loads with a newborn as well.

What I was thinking, is maybe contacting the local colleges etc to see if they had any students wanting placements, so I would have an extra pair of hands when I am BF my new baby and getting in new routines etc.

But I was wondering if they are actually much help, or if it is going to be more hard work, having to explain everything, having to talk to somebody all the time etc? I have my DH too who works shifts so it isn't me on my own.

And would students still benefit if I only have 1 mindee? I will have 2 under 18 months myself so won't exactly be quiet!

I am also assuming that I can't leave a student alone with the children. Does this include my own? And how far does this go? Eg, is it ok to leave her for 2 mins while I pop to the loo or do I litterally have to supervise 24/7?

And does anybody know what the best way of contacting the local colleges is? Phoning/post/email etc? I work for Usborne books and when ever I try contacting schools, I find it a nightmare trying to ring as the person I need to speak to is always busy and post just gets ignored?

And do they need a CRB? Who is responsable for this?

Any advice would be appriciated

I'm having a student from feb and have been sounding out the nannies here today.

phone your local college and ask for the placement officer responsible for the cache level 3 or whatever has replaced nneb. alternatively ask your midwife or health visitor - they seem to know these things.

under 18's don't need crb but you need to check with ofsted and the parents of the one mindee I guess. most students will be 17ish.

regards supervision I am suppose to be in the same building etc with the student. I can't send her out to pick up dd1 or leave her with baby whilst I go. I can go to the toilet.

do have a cm friend who is having a student that is actually due on the day the placements start in feb. not sure if she will be cm'ing though.

my cm has always tried to take a student for her baby placement but her charges have never fallen into the right ages for the start of placement - baby has to be under 6mths in feb.

waffled without saying this info is specific to our college so might differ slightly

Do you have to pay them anything? I assumed not?

all college students going out on placement will have a CRB, i no when i was in a hoem the mum left me to go and do the laundry etc! you dnt have to pay them anything!!(a bonus for you!)

This is all sounding good. When DD was born I got so far behind with housework, would be lovely to have somebody just to sit with them while I get on with some bits. And I think it would really help my DD to have somebody to play with when I am breastfeeding for hours. And my mindee doesn't like to play on her own.

the student really benefits to, i loved being in the homesetting especiaaly becuase your not stuck inside all day! like many day nurseries. Students also get the opportunities to change nappies etc which is a bonus for you!which they don't always in day nurseries ;)

the student really benefits to, i loved being in the homesetting especiaaly becuase your not stuck inside all day! like many day nurseries. Students also get the opportunities to change nappies etc which is a bonus for you!which they don't always in day nurseries ;)

I sent an email last night to the college that is 10 mins away from here and does childcare. But I have sent it as if I was applying for the course so might not get a reply but thought it would be a start until I get round to phoning them!

Depending on when they start, I am sure they will like having newborn exprience, which they wouldn't get else where.

I have a student at the moment, she is coming three days a week for the whole term......up until Easter!

I am a childminder, and I think she is getting a lot out of it, she is very capable and the children love her! I am missing her today as she has an exam

Booh - can I ask how you found out about this/got into it? The more I think about it, the more I think it would suit.