MSE Parents Club Part 12

workinmummy

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aless02 wrote: »

Just as a passing thought, been reading some ads on Netmums. What would you think about a newly-qualified childminder? There's a few that look close to me, and while it's early days, the vacanies in my area are so far very scarce, so it may be an option we have to explore. I'm generally a trusting person, but DH is not, but all the ads I've seen they have their own children so that instills some confidence I would think.

My Childminder was newly qualified when Joe started going to her. He was her first. She had a daughter about 8 months older. I didn't see this as a problem at all. Or maybe it didn't even enter my head at the time. Five years down the line, she now has lots of children in her care, of various ages. But as she only had Joe and another boy for two days, Joe got lots of attention and I credit her with teaching him all the things he knew before nursery, ie. Numbers, letters, colours, nursery rhymes etc

My_Fathers_Daughter

aless02 wrote: »

Just as a passing thought, been reading some ads on Netmums. What would you think about a newly-qualified childminder? There's a few that look close to me, and while it's early days, the vacanies in my area are so far very scarce, so it may be an option we have to explore. I'm generally a trusting person, but DH is not, but all the ads I've seen they have their own children so that instills some confidence I would think.

My CM was newly qualified when Benjamin started with her. I saw it as a bonus that she was newly trained in all the new requirements, is doing the job out of a genuine love for children (it is SO not easy to set up as a CM these days!) and that we had a chance to grow our relationship together without any preconception (or prejudice) as to what we should both be doing (or not doing as the case may be).

Until you go and you spend some time with a CM then you don't know if they are right for you or not. It took me a long time and plenty of tears to find mine but I am so thankful for finding her every day when my son shouts as we pull in the drive and as he closes the door in my face when I leave him!!

I saw some experienced older CMs who were frankly lazy!! Dirty kids with snotty noses and dummies shoved in their gobs who went to lots of 'network' events (read drinking tea whilst the kids amuse themselves LOL). I am being a bit mean there but like every job, some people are fab, others leave a little to be desired.

Get out and looking asap - you may need to pay a retainer if you find the one straight away (you may not) but finding the right childcare is the most important part of coming back to work as a happy mummy, not a stressed mummy.


ooo - a mini-lecture!!

My_Fathers_Daughter

jillie1974 wrote: »

i dont have a remove thanks button

Is that because you haven't thanked anybody


It only pops up when you have thanked somebody - bottom right

Sami_Bee

3onitsway wrote: »

Four of the big schools around here have changed over the last couple of years to the long pleated check skirts! :eek: They are quite hideous, but I think I prefer them as they are all the same style and length and aren't allowed to be shortened/rolled up.

My Mum said it's to make everyone look the same. Whether you're a size 6 or 16, the skirt makes all look equally dreadful! :rotfl:

...

:rotfl:
I'm also a bit miffed that girls aren't allowed to wear trousers, my year was the first year of HS to be allowed at ours, I only wore a skirt when it was really hot, plus my bum looked great in my totally not regulation trews :cool::p

Ps. My 'Aunty' Stella calls me #1 because I was her first official child when she became a CM (she'd looked after a few family children before) She's still registered but only looks after her grandchildren and she runs a toddler group that we visit

pinknico

Weezle to answer your question, my periods came back quicker after baby no.2 and quicker again after baby no.3, They have been heavier and more painful (but that could be my age!)


ETA don't know if that is norm or not just my experience!

jillie1974

My_Fathers_Daughter wrote: »

Is that because you haven't thanked anybody


It only pops up when you have thanked somebody - bottom right

oops...:o
thanks MFD

weezl74

pinknico wrote: »

Weezle to answer your question, my periods came back quicker after baby no.2 and quicker again after baby no.3, They have been heavier and more painful (but that could be my age!)

thank you, that's my experience too, I'm glad it's normal (could be my age too *cough36cough*)

aless02

Thanks for the replies! I hadn't thought of the positive angle on it...I was also thinking they might be slightly cheaper because they're looking to fill spaces, y'know (maybe I'm just grasping here!)? Still struggling to figure when to time starting the search as won't be going back 'til end Sep/early Oct, but better too early than too late. Cool, glad to know that it's a common thing .

tiamai_d

Weezl, I don't remember after Chris, sorry.

My_Fathers_Daughter

aless02 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies! I hadn't thought of the positive angle on it...I was also thinking they might be slightly cheaper because they're looking to fill spaces, y'know (maybe I'm just grasping here!)? Still struggling to figure when to time starting the search as won't be going back 'til end Sep/early Oct, but better too early than too late. Cool, glad to know that it's a common thing .

Lots of CMs might be on hols in August so I would start looking around before then if it were me.

There might also be CMs with spaces coming available in Sep that they know about already (kids going to school) so it may be worth ringing your local network/early years support to see if they know of any CMs with vacancies when you want them.

If you are anything like me don't underestimate how hard you will find it making the phonecalls I cried lots before, during and after


I think mine was cheaper because she wasn't jaded by experience. Mine charges £3 an hour all in, the only thing I provide is nappies and milk and I pay for his morning at pre-school (the CM stays with him). Some CMs wanted me to provide all meals and snacks and drinks and flannels, towels...all kinds of things!!