Would you use a newly pregnant childminder?

[FourArms]

I'm just in the process of looking for a childminder for my two DS's. I've had a reply from a lady who lives very close by to DS2's preschool which is ideal, but she has said upfront that she is pg.

Personally I found early pregnancy with DS2 absolutely knackering, and really wouldn't have been able to do anything else.

Aside from standard questions, is there anything extra you would ask a CM who is pg? She also has a 10m old baby. DS2 is 3 in July and (IMO) very hard work, although my mum has said he is fine when I'm not around!

Thanks

LOL @ RachieB, I don't think there's any law that says you can't return to work whenever you like, just that your employers can't make you. There was, famously, that woman just recently who returned after a fortnight or something - but in any case, when I went back to work two days postpartum, it was 19 years ago. Everything was different then.

To be honest, as my youngest mindee (3 yrs 8 months) was the same age as DS1, (the others were after-schoolies) I found they entertained each other so as well as the "break" while they were at nursery I had less running around to do with two than I would have done with only DS1. Mind you, we didn't have all this target-setting and stuff back then. It was even Ok to do your shopping with mindees without having to dress it up as "They'll learn about fruits/veg/healthy diet/how to weigh things/how to pay for it" etc.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing, btw, just that I can see why people are dropping out of CMing. I certainly wouldn't do it these days.

ah 19 years ago,no wonder then lol

"The law does not allow you to work for two weeks after childbirth and this period is known as Compulsory Maternity Leave. You will not be allowed to return to work during this time"

www.askbaby.com/returning-to-work.htm

Shit, there is a law! Well, you learn something new every day - thanks, RachieB.

Our CM is pregnant and planning on just taking 2 weeks off, which will form part of her annual holiday. Not entirely sure how it will work at the time, but she does work with another childminder, so I guess that gives some flexibility for cover.

Also not sure what happens if she's early or late, as she has told parents which 2 weeks already, and we are going away then.

OLKN - are CMs not allowed to shop with mindees? I see loads in my local supermarket with their mindees tagging along.

I haven't been CM for well over a decade, so I can't say for sure, but things I've read here have suggested to me that yes, CM can go food shopping with mindees but they have to write it out in advance like a lesson plan - "We'll go to [supermarket/greengrocer/butcher/whatever] and find [list of things to buy] so that children learn about [picking good quality produce/weighing goods/handling money]." In my day the children learned the same stuff, but we didn't have to articulate it in the same manner.

But I'm sure there are folk with more up to date knowledge than I!

Well, I went to see the CM tonight, and she is really really lovely. Quite obviously someone with a vocation for childcare and a real professional.

Now I just need to weigh up the pros and cons. I have other options for DS1 in the summer - a holiday club that can take him from 9-4, but although DS2 could also go there, I think it might be a bit much for him at just three. Or it might be perfect, he'll have fun, be exhausted and SLEEP AT NIGHT!