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Rubybubbles
03-01-2008, 02:41 PM
I attend my local toddler group 2 times a week and for a while did stop going as I felt like just a childminder, as the children weren't my own the other adults sat drinking their teas whilst I was down playing but hey, I live on a RAF camp and loads moved:D so go again!!!

SO I got a letter about a childminding group in my local village, I'm going to go as i don't really spend much time with other childminders in my area so looking forward to it

Does anyone else attend these? It's a NCMA one all free too:clapping: once a month

mrsbumbles
03-01-2008, 02:52 PM
yes i go to a childminders cofee morning, when i moved into this area the co-ordernator knocked on my door an introduced herself and invited me along, it was nice to see a friendly face to greet me on my first visit and to introduce me to the others, there are 8 minders on my estate and if i need adult stimulation i know there will be someone out and about to talk to.If i hadnt gone to that coffee morning i wouldnt know those other minders, and minding can be a lonely job, that was 5yrs ago and i havnt looked back since.

oakie dokie
03-01-2008, 03:05 PM
hi, yes here in new mills we are all part of the new mills childminding group, we get together( not that often ) but when we do we have our meeting (evenings usually) at one of our houses. we have our own toy library, which we got funding for, i think about £2000(im not treasurer) and we also have several boxes of special toys that we put in £20 each . we circulate the boxes on a regular basis, these boxes are of things that our quite expensive and would not necessarily buy ourselves. i think its well worth getting to know other childminders in your area as we do pass on phone numbers of enquirys we can not do ourselves.

hazelx:clapping:

sarah707
03-01-2008, 03:11 PM
I'm in one, but the building is being remodernised at the moment so not much happening. It's been useful for training, but I don't have children on the day of the group meeting, so don't go.

I've met some nice people that I keep in touch with - wouldn't mind it being a bit closer. As you say mrsbumbles, it can be a very lonely job!

mrsbumbles
03-01-2008, 03:22 PM
Before i moved here, i minded for 4yrs in a different area and didnt know another minder at all, i found minding quiet isolating and often found myself looking at nursery work positions in the paper. makes so much difference having other minders to bounce ideas off of.

ruby
03-01-2008, 04:15 PM
we went to one a while back but there was only 5 regulars but 3 of these have now stopped childminding so we closed down but it was nice to have other childminders to bounce questions or ideas or problems with
which is why we am glad we found this forum as we have found you all very helpful and lovely to talk to

cathy and Rachel:

sarah32
03-01-2008, 04:24 PM
I go to my local childminding group every Thursday morning, theres about 6 or 7 regulars and a few other turn up every so often.

Like you said its nice to speak to some other adults in the day and also they are great when I need some advice. Really friendly group and welcomed me when I first went a couple of months ago.

We met up the week before xmas and was quite a large group with about 20 kids together. I only have a baby to mind at moment so its nice for him to watch other children. Too young to play with them.

Sarah

miffy
03-01-2008, 04:25 PM
I belong to our local group but there are now so few of us that we meet in each others homes about once a month.

Other than that i see a couple of childminders every week as we go to the same play or toddler groups, one anothers houses or on trips together - without that I'd think it was a very lonely job

Miffy xx

Trouble
03-01-2008, 07:29 PM
our group is very clicky and not a nice atmosphere and they wonder why people dont join!!!!!!!

Polly2
03-01-2008, 07:36 PM
This is my childminding group :thumbsup:

Everyone is lovely - everyone supports you and you never have to feel lonely.

My local group didn't even speak to me when I was introduced.

Trouble
03-01-2008, 07:42 PM
I totally agree ive had more help and conversations on here than the whole time ive been going to the other one, the only thing is they get all the phone calls from parents then dish them out to everyelse so i have to go twice a month ,pay and sit there then go home!!!!! absolutely deflated thinking im doing something wrong when i now im not and they know people and children who come here so they know im doing a good job,sorry youve got me started now but i will now stop ranting!!!! but thanks to everyone on here:thumbsup:
di x

Polly2
03-01-2008, 07:46 PM
Thats awful rascal
No one likes feeling left out

good job we've got the forum :clapping:

Trouble
03-01-2008, 07:48 PM
they havent got a good reputation thou i have:D :jump for joy:

Trouble
03-01-2008, 07:48 PM
sorry thats bitchy:panic:

Polly2
03-01-2008, 07:50 PM
ha ha :D

Rubybubbles
03-01-2008, 08:08 PM
our group is very clicky and not a nice atmosphere and they wonder why people dont join!!!!!!!

this is how the toddler group turned out, but once a few moved then I plucked the courage to go back it's been fine.!


This group is a new one being set up, I just introduce myself to everyone and see the reaction!:cool:

Rubybubbles
03-01-2008, 08:09 PM
:thumbsup:
This is my childminding group :thumbsup:

Everyone is lovely - everyone supports you and you never have to feel lonely.

My local group didn't even speak to me when I was introduced.

yep! this site is great!

Polly2
03-01-2008, 08:10 PM
Hope it goes well Ruby

let us know how you get on x

Shirlwith3
04-01-2008, 08:05 AM
I go to a group every Tuesday morning, they are great bunch. It was nice as the other childminders knew my daughter as she went to one of them before I started childminding.
I was talking to a friend who I went on the courses with asn she said that ehr and another childminder were thinking of coming but felt unsure about coming being new and all.
We have a good laugh and go out for meals too.:jump for joy:

Shirl

ajs
04-01-2008, 08:55 AM
our group is very clicky and not a nice atmosphere and they wonder why people dont join!!!!!!!

same here and they are quick to complain and not support

i don't go haven't done for years but know quite few who do and say it's awful. (don't know why they go then)
there are loads of toddler groups round here and the children's centre is a drop in so if i need company i can just go there.

gailee
04-01-2008, 10:19 AM
hi all I go to childminding group during the school hols its just ran by childminders in the area it takes place in a school hall and one childminder brings the toys,fruit (fruit time),drinks we have lunch there which we bring. The kids love it a big school hall to run around in and play. its great specially during the school hols not much to do its great, we organise trips out (twycross zoo,hatton park and we went to twin lakes and thats was great! managed to get funding last year(we had a use of a minibus so hopefully we might get funding again !! gail HAPPY NEW YEAR

Sarsar3NCH
04-01-2008, 01:23 PM
A group of Poole childminders have created our own informal group and its great, we do all sorts together, outings in hols, go to soft play each week and have hired a hall every Thurs a.m. to have coffee morning and let the children play group games and play with ride-ons, slides etc. Its great because kids all get to know each other and other minders and we all get to talk things through etc.

In hols its great to know a group of minders so you can go on trips together.

I find 'mother & toddler' groups more tricky to enjoy as mums can be a bit off with minders.


Sarah

LittleMissSparkles
04-01-2008, 01:40 PM
Kate (Buildingblocks) runs our local childminding group, it's quite new though. Some great ideas here Kate we could pinch .....!!!!


xxx

jo f
04-01-2008, 02:06 PM
I go to a childminders drop in centre twice a week, its great! Obviously there is a wide range of ages of children - and minders! We have plenty going on, its a bit like a nursery group but less structured. Its good to keep in contact with others and find out what goes on locally. the kids love going and the parents are pleased that we go. I pay a pound a session regardless of how many children I have- which I claim back.
I am also involved with the local childminding network.

Rubybubbles
04-01-2008, 02:32 PM
thanks girls, I'm really looking forward to it. It'll be nice to get together with some more mindies. It's a bit short round here, or most don't have long term plans to childmind like myself so I'm always thinking talking sleeping work (look at my favourite place to be IYSWIM!!!)

I've got 2 on a Wed morning so shall be good;)

smartie
04-01-2008, 10:16 PM
We currently have two childminding groups in our town.

The North side and the south side.

We mix, meet up and swop ideas and activities. The north side of town are the 2nd Tuesday in month and the south 4th Tuesday in month. I, with the help of another very experienced minder, co-ordinate activities for one of the groups.

When we get together we ask everyone for their vacancies. This helps as it saves the parents from ringing around to full childminders.

I see your point about - if you don't go, you don't get the telephone calls passed on. I agree that this is the case. How would you suggest we get over this?

I love meeting up with other minders. I especially enjoy meeting the newbies and watching them bloom and flourish. It really does make my heart sing. (I know I'm a big pudding).

I will however, after reading all your posts on the subject make sure that everyone is interacting and enjoying the session. I would hate to think that there was someone sat there really not enjoying themselves or even worse wishing they were not there at all.

Lou
04-01-2008, 10:17 PM
WHERE ARE YOU FROM????????????????????

sorry didnt mean to shout lol, asked you before in another thread!!!

Rubybubbles
05-01-2008, 01:06 PM
WHERE ARE YOU FROM????????????????????

sorry didnt mean to shout lol, asked you before in another thread!!!

where who from Lou?

chez1373
06-01-2008, 05:59 PM
Hi sorry im coming into this really late but how do you get into these childminding groups?
Im from Derbyshire and ive not heard of them but im very new into childminding?
Any web sites i can visit to join a group thanks

Angela234
06-01-2008, 06:13 PM
You could try your local early years/network co-ordinator. Our group started up about 18 months ago used to be weekly now sadly its only monthly due to lack of interest only 4 other minders attend out of 20 minders locally.
The children love it new friends to play with our co-ordinator attends and organises a craft activity and singing ect, and its nice to meet other minders for infro support advice etc sometimes we go on courses together.

Are group is funded so we don't pay not that i would mind paying

Angela

chez1373
06-01-2008, 06:15 PM
Angel are you in Derbyshire?

Bracken
07-01-2008, 10:11 PM
Shame to hear people complaining about childminding groups.

Our new group and toy library is due to start next month. It has taken myself and another childminder alot of unpaid time to get this far (we have a grant, finally found a hall with storage that doesn't mind children and chosen the equipment) and there is still lots and lots to do.

Surely the whole point is that we all have something in common (I do think in some cases mums in some playgroups can be standoffish) so you can network and chat but most importantly the children can socialise and have fun.

From my experience parents whose childminders go the network groups benefit as the childminders can call on others they trust to offer parents cover for thier sickness and holidays.

Obviously our aim will be to make our playgroup very friendly and welcoming to everyone who attends!!

Rubybubbles
07-01-2008, 10:26 PM
Hi sorry im coming into this really late but how do you get into these childminding groups?
Im from Derbyshire and ive not heard of them but im very new into childminding?
Any web sites i can visit to join a group thanks

I got a letter through the post telling me about it! I did see in one of the newsletter that I get sent out from Bedfordshire CC that one was going to opening, so was waiting for the next newsletter but very good I think to send letters out!

chez1373
08-01-2008, 01:56 AM
Thats a really good thing for them to have sen tout a letter i still can tfind one in my area im prob looking in wrong part but i wont give up just yet,
There are a few childminders in my area and most are really really nice and helpfull but some are nasty and vindictive but i dont need people like that in my circle of friends.
I know 2 or 3 i can call on for help and advice and i think that is more than some get.

Monkey1
08-01-2008, 04:43 AM
This is my childminding group :thumbsup:

Everyone is lovely - everyone supports you and you never have to feel lonely.

My local group didn't even speak to me when I was introduced.

I Agree! :D :D :thumbsup: :thumbsup: to everyone here! Our network group are so clicky its untrue! I get together with a couple of childminders i have known as friends once or twice a week and we discuss new developments etc. It's also good for the kids to get to know other minders that you can work closely with just incase you need them in an emergency etc.

buildingblocks
08-01-2008, 05:04 PM
Kate (Buildingblocks) runs our local childminding group, it's quite new though. Some great ideas here Kate we could pinch .....!!!!xxx

Don't know who she means never met the woman before in my life lol:p

I only run it cos I got voted chair by everyone else as they didn't want to do it (oh and until recently meetings consisted of three of us). We now have about 6 members so are still meeting at each others houses.

In our area there are Childminder drop in groups run by the local CIS so a friend and I decided that we needed somewhere in the evening just for childminders without mindees so that childminders could meet up and put the world to rights. Also if people had problems of any kind and felt they couldn't contact the local CIS about it then the group could pass the problem on to be dealt with anonomously so to speak.

5 of us had originally become an NCMA group so that we could get the cheap membership but a couple of us really wanted it to be a proper group. We are lucky in that we are offered good training especially since the present Training and development officer took over so don't need to provide that. Oh and we always stick to the agenda that the Chair puts together well inadvance (okay its me and they were done yesterday)

Susan make a list as part of tonights meeting is to think about what we want to have at meetings.