Please talk to me about CM little ones

[belindarose]

I'm just beginning the registration process for CM (well, booked onto the first meetings anyway). My intention is to mind one other child of my baby's age (she'll be about 14 months by the time I get started). Can anyone who minds babies tell me a bit about your days, how easy/ difficult it is to plan/ record for this age group etc. I'm hoping that having two the same age I'll be able to carry on with lots of the things I do with my own DD (although will be a lot more work, I appreciate!). I know the mum and baby - only through friends, not close - and think we'll work well together.

If you only want to look after one child, you could do it as a nanny with own child and avoid the whole cm registration process! You would work from the families home not your own and may be expected to do nursery duties (things like the babies laundry, cooking, changing their cot/bed sheets). You CAN be Ofsted registered for this but the only benefit is to the family you are working for as it enables them to use childcare vouchers (if they can through their work), so it should be covered by them (currently £103 per yr).

When I started cming I got a variation for 2 under 1's. My mindees were aged 7 mths and 10 mths. I now care for them aged 2+ and also two others also aged 2+, oldest being 2 1/2. You have to be organised, think about how you will keep them safe when you are out, when they need to sleep, high chairs etc.... You don't plan as such for this age group, you follow routines for them ie sleeps, eats etc... Watch and see what they like to play with, ask parents what they do at home and then provide the resources necessary. Treasure baskets are great. Have a look at The childminding forum for lots of help and advice. With mine we do lots of music, singing, dance, out door garden play, messy play, dressing up, stories, roll play, building and lots more. We go to 2-3 toddler groups and music groups during the week aswell for the children to interact with others. Good luck.

With almost all of the children I have minded, I am the first minder that they have been to so they tend to be young. The youngest I have ever started with was just 10 weeks old but normally they tend to start at about 6 to 7 months when Mums often seem to return to work from maternity leave. On three days in the week I currently have one under 1 together with an 18 month old and a 30 month old so all the equipment is multiplied by 3 - high-chairs, travel cots, car seats etc.

Having two of a very similar age will I am sure work well for you and although your mindee will have a routine that is probably different to your own child's, you will most likely be able to modify the routines a bit so that they hopefully eat and sleep around the same times.

Good luck!