7 seater suggestions please?

JimmyTheWig

OP, it sounds like the additional seats will be for infrequent use. In which case I'd suggest something like a Zafira. The seats in the boot aren't "proper" but would be fine for older children for the odd journey.

If the rear seats were to be used frequently for long journeys then I'd suggest a Sharan/Galaxy/Alhambra or the Grand Espace.

Note that, as far as I am aware, you only need to disable an air bag when the seat is being used with a rear-facing child seat. With a people carrier I can't see you needing to put a baby in the front so I'd say this was a red herring. [Also, as there is no way on checking that the disabling of the air-bag works I wouldn't put a baby in an air bag seat even with it switched off.]

dibuzz

We live near a church which runs 2 parent and toddler groups a week. A large proportion of the people attending are childminders with 3 or 4 toddlers. I assume they drop other kids off at school on the way but most come in a people carrier (and park so we cant get out of our drives but that's another matter!) A lot of them are also signwritten with the childminder's name or have the magnetic signs, very handy when we have to ask them to move so we can get out.

I have had a Zafira and loved it, we generally used it as a 5 seater but the 2 extra seats were there if we needed them, they aren't as good as the proper seats but perfectly adequate for kiddies.

teffers

flea72 wrote: »

Yes, I do understand the ratios and ages looked after by childminders, but none i know would ever contemplate going further than walking distance with 6 kids in tow. And on the rare occasion they do want to do something different, they would use public transport, and bill the parents accordingly

I would say the majority of childminders have standard 5 seater cars, live within walking distance for school runs, and based on ratios for preschool children, only need 5 seats in daytime, if taking kids with them on food shops, errands, etc.

Yes, a lot have people carriers, but that's mainly for their own personal requirements outside of working hours, rather than a real need to fulfill the requirements of their job.

Also the reason you were asked to provide transport during the holidays, was because you had a people carrier. I'm sure If you only had a 5 seater, then other arrangements would have been made.

I have never based my childcare options on the taxi service provided by a childminder.

Just lol.

Ok firstly, how many childminders do you know ? I know 9 - the majority do not operate in the way you describe. Also don't forget some child minders also have assistants therefore that would require another seat. As for ratios, if you think 4 seats can't be filled with pre-school children than I'm sorry you know nothing of Ofsted guidelines.

Secondly have you ever used public transport with 6 children of varying ages ? I'd guess not or you wouldn't suggest it.

If I hadn't have provided the extra transport during the holidays then one of two things would have happened: A) the children wouldn't have gone to the seaside that day, or they would have all had to go on the train - with all the extra logistical issues and difficulties that would cause.

With all due respect, until you've actually done the job you have no real idea of what's involved and your suggestion that a 5 seater is a preferable option for 'most' child minders just shows this.

To someone who neither works in the Child minding sector and has little experience other than their own situation, I could well understand that you don't see the real benefit of those two extra seats, but I assure you it makes a real difference in the service you can offer parents and what you can do with the children to enhance their care.

Some child minders sit in their setting all day and rarely take the children out to playgroups, away days, events, etc etc - for those I dare say a normal car is fine, for others it's not.


My final word is this, from a business / childcare setting improvement perspective, a 7 seater is a massive plus. MPG is on par with a 5 seater, actual purchase cost is similar and the extra space when used as a 5 seater is great too - remember this isn't some school-run mum with a chelsea tractor.

My experience is arrived at by my partner's 10 years as a child minder and my own experience of helping her as an assistant for the last 3 years.

Ultimately it's up to the individual child minder to decide.

RichardD1970

If looking for a "part time" seven seater then there aren't that many to choose from. Off the top of my head -

Vauxhall Zafira
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso
Mazda 5
VW Touran
Citroen Berlingo with family pack (rare)

The Mazda and Berlingo have sliding doors.

We recently change our car to C4 Grand Picasso (yes, I know, it's French )after much deliberation and trying them all out.

It was a close call between that and the Zafira.

The Touran was nice but too expensive and I couldn't get out if the rear most seats easily.

The Mazda just didn't do it for us.

I think in the end we chose the C4 over the Zafira because the second row seats fold and move independently, whereas the Zafira is one bench and it just seemed more car for the money.

We have the 1.6 diesel VTR+ EGS and it drives really nice and we average over 40 mpg town driving (haven't had a long run it it yet). Nice high driving position and enough gadgets.

Best advice, go try them, have a play with the seats, get a test drive if possible. See which one you like best because for all the advice on the internet buying a car is a very subjective experience and you don't want to be stuck with something you are not happy with.


Edit - there is a 6 seater Honda as well but know nothing about that.

Limey

Fiat Multipla? I don't know how old the 'youngest' one may be but a friend of mine has one and seems pretty pleased with the Klingon Warbird.

7 Seater too. :cool:

Edit: Damn just realised it's a 6 seater. !!!!!!.

RichardD1970

Limey wrote: »

Fiat Multipla? I don't know how old the 'youngest' one may be but a friend of mine has one and seems pretty pleased with the Klingon Warbird.

7 Seater too. :cool:

Edit: Damn just realised it's a 6 seater. !!!!!!.

Oh yea, forgot about that, I think I may have blotted it from my memory, gives me nightmares :rotfl:

Ranger8

The best of the 7 seater bunch if you can find one in your price range is the Toyota Verso

tight_scotsman

Try a Kia sedona i had one never missed a beat and they are fitted with a 2.9 mecedes diesel engine the 2 seats behind the driver can swivel 180 degrees then the kids are not staring into the back of a seat and are facing each other. You can also get in and out to do up the seatbelts ect.

rdwarr

7-seater cars (like the Zafira) will be far too small to load and unload with any regularity. I used to have a Toyota Estima which was great but these days the Kia Sedona is ticking most of the boxes.

flea72

Childminders with assistants are operating outside normal structures and as I said, by employing an assistant you are increasing the need for additional seats. And tou would only have an assistant to increase the amount of children in your care due to having the additional backup

I am surprised that you only know of 9 other childminders, since you work within the trade. I agree I do not, but know a lot more childminders than 9, none of whom have assistants, nor the need for a people carrier. But somehow the point you are making is valid because...?

I was just pointing out to the OP that maybe 7 seats weren't necessary, so maybe not jump in straight away splashing out on new vehicle. Yes, fine if you feel it's necessary once you hae worked the job for a while, but to buy one before you know your client list and demands, would be fairly foolish.

The ability to take kids to the beach during school hols, should not be the deciding factor on buying a new car. It just doesn't make financial sense. I take it the OPs wife is childminding as a way to earn some money. She's gonna have to do a lot of hours to get back her outlay, is all im saying