CM - Children's tables and chairs? And fold up adult chairs? Advise needed!

[chloejessmeg]

Hello. I just want some quick opinions really.

We have a children's table and chairs that we intended to use for childminding. However I am starting to think about getting rid of them (they came from freecycle). They just take up so much space that could be used for other things. They are usually in the back room, which is toy room and dining room but are in my living room today while the back room gets a good clean and carpet wash. The back room looks so much bigger and better without so muchs stuff in it!

BUT I am worried I will regret it if I do get rid because it is useful for doing activities etc and will be good for my DC when they get old enough.

I only have one part time mindee at the moment so it is really hard to tell how much use it will get. It is a nice set, except for some drawing on the top and a couple of stickers.

I have an adult table and chairs BUT it is a fold up one with fold up chairs that go in the middle for storage. Fine for adults but I am a bit wary of the fact that if a child climbed on the chair it could be injured due to it collapsing? If they sit on it properly, it is perfectly safe, but would ofsted be happy with this?

What would you other childminders do?

I personally wouldn't risk folding chairs...I don't think Ofsted would approve either seeing as they have issues with table cloths etc!

ok thanks for that. The lad at my pre reg didn't mention them, and she was very fussy, but she might not have noticed really so wouldn't want to get in trouble over it.

Is it still ok to have them in the house though? For us?

Hi Chloejessmeg. Ofsted like to see CM with child size tables and chairs to do crafts/drawings, playdough etc.

With regards to the adult chairs, as long as the children cannot easily pull them out of the table, it should be ok. Could you turn the table round for example, or do the chairs slide out of both ends (Im trying to imagine what it looks like .

I have two tables for the children. One is against the wall with a dolls house on (which is removed for craftwork) and the other is in the home corner playhouse and again is just brought out, so they are not constantly stuck in the middle of the floor.

Hope this helps

Thanks, I think it will have to stay! I do also have a little craft table thing, like this but not that exact one. But it is only for one child (which is all I have at the moment so we use it all the time.