A guide for parents - re thread below

[sparkle12mar08]

I know that thread was mostly in jest for you to let off steam, but I think underneath that there's a great idea. As a parent I'd find it really helpful to know about some of the things that seem obvious to you but I wouldn't necessarily think of - the dislike for pull ups has really opened my eyes!

So fire away - what do I need to do to be a really well liked parent?!

Okay here goes.

Remember to supply everything you have been asked to (Nappies, changes of clothes etc).

Remember to keep your childminder upto date with contact information, GP's details etc.

If you childminder collect your child from School/nursery and you decide to change school/nursery, discuss this with you childminder, not just turn up and expect your childminder to be okay with a different school/nursery a mile and half away.

• If you move house, please let your CM know! (just tried to drop a child off at wrong house!)
• Don't bring more than you need to
• make sure you bring everything you were asked to

Make drop off's and pick ups quick. Don't get me wrong, it's important to comunicate but imagine if every parent takes an extra 15 minutes just to put their coat on and get out the door! Thats HOURS of my day. My own child needs mum time and dinner and bath as well...

why are pullups so hated?

Let us know in advance about any changes in hours/days - not on the day when dc already got coat/shoes on waiting for you.

Try not to make us feel guilty for taking annual holidays or for being ill.

Please keep your child at home if they are sick - I don't want to catch it cos then I can't work and no work means no money

Write us a nice reference when Ofsted inspector due

When it's snowing, please ring to let us know you will pick dc up to save us going out in it - before we have made our way through the blizzard and reached the school gates .

Sign and return forms/permissions etc promptly.

Sendtheoccasionalbottleofwine

Chibi - can't speak for other childminders but I hate pullups for 2 main reasons. To change them you have to take off all of the childs trousers or tights to pull them off and put on new ones. Also when they get wet they get heavy and start to fall down. They are often not a great fit around the legs so leak and poo squirts out!

All in all not great

Oooh dear yes I am guilty on:

Pull ups- I find them easier myself as DD is a wriggler and often gets changed standing up
Clothes sometimes wrong size/ not right for weather- new stuff that I didn't realise was too big or days that looked sunny at 7am and then mysteriously cloud over by 9
Chatting at pick up time- thought I was being friendly! Also don't get a diary so how else am I to know.
Bringing toys from home- DD often wants to show CM her stuff and in the rush to leave I sometimes can't face the tantrum that will ensue if I make her leave it.

In my defence I can honestly say I always pay on time and in full and am very rarely late plus I think I err on the side of caution re keeping her home if sick.

Parents who pay on time and in full are exempt - lol

Quite right underpaid, I turn a blind eye to the odd constant 30 - 60 min late parents if they pay on time , it's when you get loads of niggly things from one and NO MONEY that I get wound up.

Pay in full and on time is a must.
Communication is vital. If you have changed LOs routine or something let me know.
If you need extra days or hours ask and if i can I will do it with pleasure but please accept I am not at the beck and call of parents and sometimes I won't be able to especially if asked with very little notice.
Appropriate clothes and shoes and more than enough nappies and wipes etc.

Okay, so I think I'm not doing too badly actually

We do pay on time and in full. So I'm guessing she'll forgive me for the pull ups! - we went back into them after an abortive potty training attempt. I supose I do tend to chat a bit at drop off, but our day diary has gone the way of the dodo and a quick 5 min face to face seemed much nicer. It's a permanent, all-day arrangement anyway, so no chopping and changing, and I probably over pack their spare clothes bag with options, so no worries there. I'm the same as mamadoc on favourites from though - ds1 loves his minder and desperatley wants to share things he does and likes with her - sometimes it's toys, sometimes a drawing - he just wants to share and have her 'approval' too

Though after the incident of losing one very precious favourite there are some that I don't allow out now!