Registered Childminder

[twiglett]

message withdrawn

The 2 yearold would be good company for your ds and if this is a family's 1st child then the added bonus of siblings would boost your earnings or is that being a bit blunt??iykwim

message withdrawn

I'd definitely go for a child a similar age ... my two boys are 22 months apart, and having a playmate round for one of them has, at every stage, been easier than having the two of them together. With two a similar age you can do activities together, play games together much, much easier. If you want to get paints out or playdough for your son, it's no less effort for two, but two get the benefit ...

A baby will spend some time sleeping, but they take AGES to feed, and then you have all the nappies to change ...

Also, your son will soon want to start playing with smaller toys - 'proper' Lego, hama beads, Playmobil, and so on. If you mind a baby, then you'll have to put all this stuff away when the baby's in the house.

yup - definately agree with the others - go for a 2 year old - they will be great company for eachother in time. Just be aware there may be lots of fighting whilst they get used to it - perhaps you could choose a girl (if you get to be lucky enough to choose that is) - then fighting may be a bit less???? My ds1 (now 3and a half) has always been with childminders and has much preferred playing with children his own age and older.

Twiglett, whereabouts in SE London...we are looking for a childminder...we are in SE9. Naturally I'd advise a BABY because that's what we will have on offer, but honesty compels me to admit that a 2 year old sounds a better match for your ds

As an experienced childminder I would take the baby as it is easier to settle them into your routine etc. But, as you have a 2 year old, this could lead to problems of jealousy, understandably as his place as baby is going to be usurped.

As you have only the one child, the toddler will probably be better, than after a while you could then take a baby to join them.

message withdrawn

Curses, well off our patch, Twiglett! But very best of luck with such a worthwhile career. Hope whatever age your first client is you have a lot of fun together!

message withdrawn