ok to go to coffee morning?

[butterfly]

At the moment I don't have any mindees on a Wed morning and have been going to a local mums' coffee morning. basically we're a group of local mums with children under 5 and we we meet weekly in each other's houses to have coffee and chat whilst the children play. i take my 9 mths old son whilst my daughter is at pre-school. however, my new mindee will be starting soon on wed morning. do you think it's still ok to go? i believe the new boy is about a year old and he will only be with me for this one morning. obviously i will spend time playing with him and my son and won't leave him alone with anyone. i will do a risk assessment but i won't be planning the activities - i suppose the activities will be self-chosen and i could still document what he does.

[sarah707]

Of course you should go!

The child will be socialising and having fun, playing with other people's toys and interacting with other adults.

You don't have to write down everything he does... just watch for something exciting to tell parents like ... 'X was confident enough to approach my friend for help' or 'X shared with another child by passing him the toy'...

You shouldn't be thinking in terms of planning every moment of a child's day... just about making sure the activities and toys offered to the child are safe and fun, so the child can learn from them.

Have fun! :D

[Twinkles]

I don't see why it won't be ok. Most parents will use a childminder so their child gets a home from home experience. I'm sure his mum would be meeting her friends.
It will be a good social experience for the lo. You don't have to be stuck indoors observing the mindees at all times, you need to see grown ups too !

[butterfly]

thanks Sarah, that makes me feel better! especially as he'll only be attending every other week (see other thread 'what shall i charge?') i don't want to give up my social contact as it's a lonely old job if you don't see any other adults!

[butterfly]

and twinkles thanks!!

[jellytot]

i say go. it will be good for the LO

[Chatterbox Childcare]

Don't ever not do something because of the EYFS. We continue as we are and fit the EYFS into everthing we do, there is always something to link it to.

[LisaH]

Don't ever not do something because of the EYFS. We continue as we are and fit the EYFS into everthing we do, there is always something to link it to.

Absolutely, I still go to mum and tots, shopping and do my washing whilst minding!! What seems very boring and mundane to us is often an exciting learning experience for a little one.:)

[Chatterbox Childcare]

Absolutely, I still go to mum and tots, shopping and do my washing whilst minding!! What seems very boring and mundane to us is often an exciting learning experience for a little one.:)

My kids love moving the washing from the machine to the tumble dryer or handing me the pegs (lots of maths here).

I also have to beat them to the dishwasher in the morning to remove the glass and knives.

[LisaH]

Lol. I always appreciate help pairing up millions of pairs of socks too!!

[balloon]

Just echoing what others have said, after all it a great play opportunity isn't it?