Concerns about Childminder

Bettyboop

Hello All,

To cut a long story short my little girl has being going to a new Childminder and this is week three. I changed jobs at the same time - more hours with a bit more money.

Anyway, I interviewed the childminder with my husband (who I am seperated from). We both liked her and thought she was very professional at our appointment.

However, for just over a week and a half now she has been moody, otherwise and not friendly. I am starting to have doubts about her now because of this but I don't know if what I feel is right or if she is just stressed? My daughter told me today that the childminder kept telling her to put stuff back.....I just feel like asking her what is wrong. She has no children and this is the first time she has childminded.....I am now wondering if she can do this sort of job or not? Today I asked her question and she "replied with I don't know don't ask me"?!

So basically I am looking for a little advice. Do I just ask her outright if she has a problem with me or my little girl? or do I phone her and ask her? This is really bothering me a lot. My daughter is starting school in September and although it's a little over three months away I don't know if I will be able to find a replacement at short notice.

Thanks all.

X

MissMotivation

Maybe she has realised she is not cut out for the job....especially as she has no children of her own. One thing when I interviewed prospective Childminders was to ask them what relevant experience they have and whether they had children of their own.

Personally I would ask to speak to the Childminder when she has half an hour spare and the way I would do it would be to ask her how things are going with your Daughter now she has been there a few weeks. I'm sure it's not a problem with your Daughter.....probably just some initial teething problems.

It's a bit of a shame she has been "off" with you as that's very unprofessional.

Bettyboop

MissMotivation, when we interviewed her I did ask about experience with children and she told me that she grew up surrounded by kids and that she has looked after her sisters son on many occassions. Thanks for responding to my problem.

pandas66

Can I be blunt and ask what attracted you to her?

My inclination would be to have a childminder with other children, does she have any other 'charges' or is your daughter on her own?

Rachie_B

hmmm i have to say i would not leave my child there if i was in any way unsure of her attitude / actions towards him/her !

does she have ANY childcare experience prior to becoming a childminder ?!

its def not for everyone,sounds like she is finding this out !

or it could be something private in her personal life thats happened etc ?

Bettyboop

She registered as a Childminder in December 06. She was professional and demonstrated a love and care for children. My daughter is the only kid in her care some of the time. She has started looking after my friends son who has just turned 1 but he is with her on an adhoc basis.

My little one used to be with a Childminder who had three children but she decided to pack it after 3 years so I had to find someone else who could take her to and from preschool aswell.

I don't want to mention which organisation she worked for before for fear of her finding this thread on the internet. But, she worked for a large A (should we call it) company for almost 26 years......

I am also starting to wonder if she is cut out for this sort of job. The only thing is I am in my third week at my new job. My daughters wellbeing is paramount but if everything goes pears shaped and I end up without childcare I will have to give up work as I really don't have anyone trustworthy I could leave her with.

cazziebo

to so many people childminding looks easy - you get paid to sit at home all day and watch daytime telly! Maybe she has just found out that there's a lot more to it than that! I once got a "nanny" job when I was a student. The parents asked what experience I had. My reply was that I was one of five kids with two of them being much younger. Yes I'd "babysat" them but that was sticking them in front of the telly for a few hours - wouldn't be happy if anyone did that with my children for a working week! (makes me sweat to think of the damage I could have done to these kids - I didn't have a clue...)

You can't relax until you know. Ask her if there is anything wrong. If she says not then say that she doesn't seem happy and you think it might not be working out.

I had a great childminder and that took so much stress out of my life

Good luck
Cazzie
x

pandas66

Well my criteria is different I suppose but I'd like my children to be in the company of more children, and to be honest someone who has more experience of looking after/nurturing than this lady sounds.

I would defiently ask her if she has a problem with you or your daughter or personally. She may not realise how outward her mood is showing. She may need an ear or she may have bitten off more than she can chew, but I wouldn't be happy leaving my young 'un with a grump. (For whatever plausable reason)

Rachie_B

you certainly dont need the stress and worry of this interferring with your new job,but your childs well fare & care must come first

TBH id start looking for a new childminder

ask for a recommendation from people you know / other mums etc

good luck

Bettyboop

Thanks Rachie B, I'm about to go onto Opportunity Links....when I found her about a month ago I thought I was lucky as there are very few childminders in my area. The problem is many have stopped doing it and those that are still active already have more kids than they are allowed to. Thanks anyway.

pandas66

Bettyboop wrote: »

She registered as a Childminder in December 06. She was professional and demonstrated a love and care for children. My daughter is the only kid in her care some of the time. She has started looking after my friends son who has just turned 1 but he is with her on an adhoc basis.

My little one used to be with a Childminder who had three children but she decided to pack it after 3 years so I had to find someone else who could take her to and from preschool aswell.

I don't want to mention which organisation she worked for before for fear of her finding this thread on the internet. But, she worked for a large A (should we call it) company for almost 26 years......

I am also starting to wonder if she is cut out for this sort of job. The only thing is I am in my third week at my new job. My daughters wellbeing is paramount but if everything goes pears shaped and I end up without childcare I will have to give up work as I really don't have anyone trustworthy I could leave her with.

My perception BB was this lady was in her 20's, perhaps just out of Uni, not perhaps in her 40-50's. So she will never have children then, my thoughts are if her and hubby were trying for a baby and she wanted to start a new 'business' for being a SAHM....(how long I think about this)
BB I'd have a chat on the phone to her about your concerns and I'd do it tonight.
Ihope its something and nothing, but if she is palably (sp) moody with you then she must also be moody in the day.