Am I expecting too much from my CM

[MyBoo]

What are your views on the following:

Children being allowed to share cups (I know kids will drink from each others cups but surely if it is spotted it should be stopped?) 2 children there have spots around mouth - not sure what it is or if it is linked.

Babies under 1 year old allowed to crawl around the garden when CM has cat that could mess in area

How often would you change the nappy of a baby under 1

Baby gets that dirty that I cannot always get her clothes clean. Her brand new socks and cuffs of her top were absolutley covered in dirt from the garden

When asked where babies cup was to take home it was in the muck in the garden.

I sterilise cups and bottles DD is under 12 months but not sure CM has same standards. I am expecting too much?

I wouldn't want children sharing cups (apart from the odd accidental incident) and I do think that eating and drinking utensils should be kept clean where possible.

However ... I really like the idea of children (even babies) being able to crawl around the garden and get dirty (within reason - I obviously haven't seen the garden).

Oh ... nappies ... fairly regularly and immediately if soiled.

Nope, you are not expecting too much.

I've been using CMs since dd was 5 months old.

Re the clothes - I wouldn't send my dd in new clothes to the childminders as it is likely they will get dirty throughout the course of the day and you can only send so many changes of clothes.

I would not be happy about the cup in a pile of muck, how specific have you been about sterilisation etc? I do find that I have to give explicit intructions about my wishes because we naturally will do things differently and it is always good to get these things clarified to prevent any issues later.

Sharing of cups, ditto above. It's not on really.

Children being allowed to share cups - the children all have their own named cups in my CM's house. Yes, the little ones drink out of anyone's cup but they are stopped when it is seen

Babies under 1 year old allowed to crawl around the garden when CM has cat that could mess in area - well, I don't have a cat but that doesn't stop next door's cat from messing in my garden. As long as she checks the area, I have no problem

How often would you change the nappy of a baby under 1 - when it needs it, or at least 3 times during a working day.

Baby gets that dirty that I cannot always get her clothes clean. Her brand new socks and cuffs of her top were absolutely covered in dirt from the garden - I know I'll disagree with you here. I love it when the children come back from my CM's all dirty and happy from playing in the garden. If it bothers you, only put her in clothes that don't matter when she's going to the CM.

When asked where babies cup was to take home it was in the muck in the garden. Again, this sort of thing happens and cups wash.

I sterilise cups and bottles DD is under 12 months but not sure CM has same standards. I am expecting too much? I didn't sterilise for mine once the started crawling as I feel they're picking up all sorts anyway. However, if you want her to sterilise the cups, then your CM should do this.

You sound like you're a little uptight about dirt - children do get dirty, it doesn't do them any harm. In fact, it probably helps their immune systems to get a bit mucky.

Sorry, nappies should be changed regularly unless the child has pooed, in which case should be immediate or as soon as possible.

Re the cat poo, I think that in any garden you will have a chance of; mouse wee/poo, bird poo, fox poo/wee etc etc.
I have no problem with children playing in the garden and crawling around as long as they are supervised properly, not eating dirt and so on.

being dirty from scrabbling around the garden = good

the Cm will do a visual check of the garden each day and remove any poo

Sterilising stuff after 6 months - no point at all

Sharing cups, well a baby may well reach for one and so intervention is needed to guide them towards their own cup

They need access to drinks/water at all times so yy the cup should be in the garden when the baby is there

nappy changes - at once if a poo, every 2 or so hours otherwise, maybe more if the baby pees a lot

spotty children, could be any number of things, dribble rash from teething, spots from dummy use, anything really

SO really the only issue that would trouble me is the cups; for the purposes of minimising cross infection the Cm should be careful to ensure that the right cup is used by the right child

HTH

I think I'm generally in agreement with the others on this. I'm a hygeine freak and have 5 star enviro cert. But I still like my mindees to go home untidy, tired and generally a bit grubby.

The CM should check the outside area for poop daily or if they have pets before and during each time the garden is in use, but as one poster said you can't expect not too get mucky when youre crawling around outside, outside play is fundamental to EYFS, exploration and knowledge and understanding of the world etc. Think you need lots of really old / cheap clothing.

Drinks have to be available at all times, all my mindees have distinctive colours / patterns so they know which is theirs and they have a shelf where the drinks bottles live, they know not to leave them lying around. Sometimes younger ones can get the wrong one and if that happens they are taken away, thoroughly cleaned and refilled. I would be a bit YUK! at the beaker being covered in muck, it should really have been brought in and cleaned ready to use again, but perhaps your CM has had a bit of a bonkers day which does happen.

Is the place clean generally or a bit grotty?

I think you are right about the cups and that should be stopped in the children are noticed!!

Babies should have their nappies changed at least 3 times a day (8am-5.50pm my hours) unless they are pooed.

Dirt I'm afraid my kids go home a complete mess at times but its from fun not neglect None of my parents mind and frquently say they dont mind as long as they have fun.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I know I am a bit of a clean freak (I am working on it!) I don't mind bein g dirty from playing (ie having paint and stuff on dd) or a bit of muck. You have helped me get things sorted in my head.

i generally agree with whats been said, what i would suggest is getting your LO their own SPECIAL cup , even one with their name on and informing cm you dont want it to be shared..its not an unreasonable request

Kids in Africa and lots of other places in the world crawl around in the dirt and they are much healthier compared to 'clean freak' Europeans and Americans.
How on earth are their immune systems going to learn about good and bad bacteria?

Chill...

hot, tired, messy, grubby kids are usually the happy ones. Wash before meals and after toilet and always a good bath at the end of the day

shouldnt be sharing cups... nappies should be changed as needed!!commen sense...

I always ask my parents to send kids,'not dressed to impress' we are outside as much as possible in the woods and garden.. lovely..