Im new - Routines mean I have little time for EYFS?!

[Dizzyloubell]

I could do with some help - I am starting to panic about EYFS requirements.

I am a new childminder with 3 under 5's.

6 months old girl, 18 month old boy & 3 1/2 year old girl.

I started last week so really am brand new -

The girls arrive at 7.30 with Breakfast at 8.00 little boy arrives a 8.00 for breakfast -

baby sleeps 9-10 milk feed at 11.30.

Other 2 lo's have lunch 11.45 in order to get all three fed, changed and wrapped up for Nursery run at 1.00pm (around 15 min walk with little legs!)

When I get back 2 lo's need to go from buggy to bed for sleep until 2.30 (while I tidy up, eat my lunch and generally prep veg for dinner.

Then its another fed for the baby at 3.00 changed and out the door for collection of the eldest at 3.35.

By the time I get back I have to change eldest out of nursery uniform and by that times its time to start preparing dinner, for 5.00 collections at 5.30 and 6.00

I am struggling to find time to do any structured activities. - When I have 3 due to routimes.

On a Wednesday I have the little boy only and I find I have the opposite problem I have lots of time to do things but due to his age he is not interested in doing anything structured - I need help - any tips.

Apologies for essay!!

Hmm tricky how about:

9-10 baby sleep - do something with the girls that you wouldn't be able to do with the baby there. Ie. Lego, bead threading etc. Or do something messy/baking etc with them.

It looks to me that's the only time you have really! The baby probably gets one to one time before and after feeds - but at 6 months you don't really need to be doing anything structured IMO beyond singing, talking, tummy time and generally cooing.

Another thing to look at is what are they having for lunch and dinner? As an hour to cook dinner is quite long IMO and you could use that hour to do something with all three. For example mine get a hot lunch that I always have from the night befores left overs and a lighter dinner like sarnies/soup/pasta fruit and yoghurt. I don't really cook anything on the same days that can't be done in 5 minutes / that the children don't help with.

I am a new childminder too; not to be misleading!

I do very few structured activities - the children do mainly free play & I do my obs from that

There is no formal planning required for under 3's.
Its just about going with the flow with the children and get your obs from that - what katymac says!

give yourself chance though - you are new and by the sounds of it in at the deep end!

try: www.childmindingforum.co.uk

I was going to do meal at dinner time and something like sandwiches etc but the parents suggested switching so that it doesnt affect nursury run etc. Can I ask what sort of food do you give your children??

Thanks again for the advice!

I cook loads of different things and try and do one fish and 1 veggie each week.

spag bol, shep pie, fish pie, mac and cheese, veggie bake, sausage casserole, chicken nuggets, fish fingers (rarely), homemade pizza, lasagne, chilli, curry, veggie burgers, soups, veggie cakes, tuna pasta bake, other pasts and sauce, tomato and chicken rice, tode in the hole... that's all I can think of right now but must be more!

You sound like me a year ago when i first started, I had amazing intentions, most of which have changed or gone out of the window I have a routine that I fit the children around, if that makes sense. Basically my routine is 7.30 mindees start arriving, breakfast if they want some or freeplay whilst i get dd ready, 8.30 school run, 9am go to playgroup, drop ins etc, collecting another mindee on the way, baby mindee naps in buggy whilst at group, 11.30 leave for home, lunches etc over by around 12.30, all children down for nap/quiet time, up by 2.30 (depending on age etc) nappies etc and then set off for school run, when back from school run, freeplay or structured play until collection which start at 4.30. Crafts/cooking etc are done in holiday times or at playgroup.

hth

can i please crash and sorry for doing this but im suddenly interested in childminding as im looking for a good one and its all new to me. am i right in thinking you have to do observations on the children playing?? this sounds interesting but why??

Hi taytotayto, if you click here that should explain.

Dizzyloubell the childrens's needs first have to met before any learning can take place for them. If you thought about it you are doing lots at meals times that the children can learn from personal/ social/ emotional development. When you are out doing your school pick ups the children are lerning about her wider community ect. Sounds to me like you are doing a great job juggling all that for a new childminder.

thanks navyeyelash much appreciated

Thanks so much for all replies - I just panicked that I should be doing more but your right and will take time to get into the swing of 3 new routines!