View Full Version : Childminders and play groups
I go to a play group two times a week for over a year now for childminders, but you don't see any childminders there apart from the 3 of use that as been going evey week. and last week were talking they might have to close:panic: so i don't know what the other childminders do with the children in Barrow? but you never see them out to any toddler groups or toy Library?
Does anyone else here meet up at local toddlers etc with other childminders, here in barrow you feel all alone:crying: so i'm glad i can pop in here:laughing: , it i am sometimes away for a little bit.
John.
Spangles
08-08-2009, 10:26 PM
Hi John!
I didn't use to go to a c/m group but used to chat to some at just the local toddlers.
Could you all take each others numbers and arrange to meet up at the park each week or at a local playbarn or somewhere? I'm sure they must feel the same as you?
Daftbat
08-08-2009, 10:31 PM
I run a toddler group which is designed for anyone but around half the people who come are childminders which allows us to bounce ideas off each other. Otherwise i regularly meet up with one minder each week anyway for coffee and we do planning together.
You could try phoning the minders in your area to see what they do and encourage them to meet up at a group etc.
I think they like doing there own thing? i was thinking of a meet up at my home with afew childminders. might see after i sort my back garden out next month see what happens.
John.
Roseolivia
09-08-2009, 05:42 AM
I go to a childminders playgroup once a week and a playgroup in my village which childminders can attend so i usually see them there. I'm still kinda alone as i live in a village and all the other minders live in town.
helenlc
09-08-2009, 08:04 AM
I go to our cm drop in once a week and also a couple of other toddler groups. CMs are welcome at the ones I go to, so a few of us see one another there.
(I also run one of the groups so I get to choose that CMs are allowed!!! :laughing: :laughing: )
Angela234
09-08-2009, 08:48 AM
Our cm group is now closing as only 1 or 2 of us used it so many were shouting for one once it was organised they just didn't bother.
It was on the same day as toddler group which i shall go back to but no minders ever go there either.
Such a shame i like to get the children to play around other children (larger groups) most of mine are only children (in family)
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
09-08-2009, 03:27 PM
I go to the local cm group and there is about 5/6 that turn up each week but you never see anyone else, mind you good job really as I don't think you would get many more in the room we use.
I also run a toddler group on a Monday and Friday which is ran by 3 of us who are all childminders.
Shame if they have to close though.
nannymcflea
09-08-2009, 03:42 PM
Hi there John. We are (hopefully) moving to Brough, nr Kirkby Stephen in September so will not be too far away from you then! Might be able to meet up half way, if I get any kids!:D
Mrs.L.C
09-08-2009, 06:11 PM
I think its amazing how many childminders dont get out and about on a regular basis to support groups or other toddler groups.
I go to 2/3 a week even if its just for an hour to get out of the house, let the children socialise and keep me sane. I also help run our local support group but most of the time we get the same few childminders in and we all see each other at other toddler groups but I know there are more than 6 childminders in the area so what do they do?
Ripeberry
09-08-2009, 07:25 PM
If you attend a baby and toddler group, do you have to tell the organiser that you are a childminder or do you just wait for people to find out?
When the new term starts my mindee is with me most days apart from the only day the CM group meets.
But there are plenty of baby and toddler groups on the other days :)
helenlc
09-08-2009, 08:22 PM
If you attend a baby and toddler group, do you have to tell the organiser that you are a childminder or do you just wait for people to find out?
You dont HAVE to. At the one I run, everyone knows I am a CM and other CMs are welcome and do attend.
The one I attend on a Tuesday is run by the Salvation Army. The lady who runs it knows I am a childminder as I have attended with different children in tow over the last 2 years. Its not a problem.
I think sometimes cm's experience negative reactions at toddler groups because of the number of children they can attend with. Although I dont think this is fair as the most we can have is 3 that would be toddler group age - and there are plenty of families out there made up of 3 children under 5.
Personally I have never had any negative reactions from people when I attend toddler groups.
TheBTeam
09-08-2009, 08:42 PM
I meet up with other childminders at a childminder group once a week and again with some of them at a toddler group open to all, which is run by two of my cm friends. I also go to a craft group set up by a few selected childminders where we do arts and crafts together once a week, so i spend a lot of time with the same group or similar group.
This is by choice and i couldn't do the job without the support and friendship of these people, we have planned a timetable of outings for the summer and do the same for all holidays, so spend almost every day with some of them!
I know though of childminders from my area who work alone and spend most of the time alone, not joining in or going to any of the stuff available, i would hate to be like this, i think it is good to have the friendship of people doing the same job!
zillervalley
09-08-2009, 09:28 PM
my routine
monday am = childminding group
tues am/pm toddler groups childminder welcome
wed pm toddler group childminders welcome
thurs am I run this group childminder wecome
fri am toddler group childminders welcome
ziller
helenlc
10-08-2009, 07:17 AM
This is by choice and i couldn't do the job without the support and friendship of these people, we have planned a timetable of outings for the summer and do the same for all holidays, so spend almost every day with some of them!
There is about 10 of us cm's who attend the cm group regularly and more often than not bump into one another at other toddler groups. We have also been meeting up over the summer and also go for child free nights out too. I couldnt imagine not having this support network and am grateul for it when I read about people who do not have such a group.
Andrea08
10-08-2009, 07:28 AM
I think they like doing there own thing? i was thinking of a meet up at my home with afew childminders. might see after i sort my back garden out next month see what happens.
John.
hi john,, I use to go to a lot more Drop-In's but it depends on access,, if i have to go by car and then use a double buggie and then the doors dont open wide enough to let me in lol
Also i dont always like the other ppl that attend,, i work hard at my job and i dont like the way some cm's talk about each other,,
SO,, three of us get together at each others house for play sessions (share activity resources and do some paperwork together) and i also went to a toddler group with them so feel i have support,
good luck its more fun with friends and the children get to have new play mates:thumbsup:
FussyElmo
10-08-2009, 07:55 AM
I go to a toddler group 3 times a week. I meet 2 other childminders there and we do things together on other days. I would be lost without these two we are a good team and help each other out.
But strangely I have never been to the cm group dont know why just happy where I am I suppose!!!
Hi there John. We are (hopefully) moving to Brough, nr Kirkby Stephen in September so will not be too far away from you then! Might be able to meet up half way, if I get any kids!:D
That would be super :jump for joy: , let me know when you ready to talk and meet up with the kids:)
John
nannymcflea
11-08-2009, 06:45 AM
That would be super :jump for joy: , let me know when you ready to talk and meet up with the kids:)
John
Will do John. We are planning September 1st for the move. :eek: Need to get packing...don't finish work until Aug 28th.:laughing:
youarewhatyoueat
11-08-2009, 08:44 AM
I think its amazing how many childminders dont get out and about on a regular basis to support groups or other toddler groups.
I go to 2/3 a week even if its just for an hour to get out of the house, let the children socialise and keep me sane. I also help run our local support group but most of the time we get the same few childminders in and we all see each other at other toddler groups but I know there are more than 6 childminders in the area so what do they do?
I am not surprized anymore, the childminders I have met have done nothing but moan about the eyfs and how they don't do most of it I think that is why cms won't go to drop ins in case they get questioned as to what they do or don't. Also for me I am very much on my own the drop in is once a month and a 22 mile round trip and I was on my own last time, the weekly drop in is 25 miles away so a 50 mile round trip and I haven't managed that one yet as it starts at 9.30am which is a bit of a rush after the school run.
There is now only one cm in a local town where there was 9 a year ago so she now has too many children to fit in her car so doesn't get out much. Several other cms that I know of have seperate playrooms and have an assistant so also stay at home most of the time.
I always like to get out in the morning to see people and to let the children socialise I find it a good start to the day we come home for lunch and then the children sleep so I can sort out dinner etc.
I must admit to getting disheartened recently and can't see me doing this for ever which is a shame because I've put in a lot of hard work to get the eyfs up and running.I'm waffling as usual!!!!
jessie1
11-08-2009, 11:51 AM
In my previous town there were only 4 childminders including me when one quit after I got registered. We had drop-ins once a week and then changed it to fortnightly.
My current area is a slightly bigger town and there are about 35 childminders in the area and few in the nearby villages. There are childminder drop ins once a month when a co-ordinator pops in as well and yet only 2 people come weekly and myself. One other childminder I see sometimes at the toddler group on Fridays but that is it. Out of 35. But again I think they all want to do their own thing and they all afraid you are here to be in competition with them instead of working together.
Michelle M
11-08-2009, 12:06 PM
Hi
I didnt used to go out much with other childminders in Derby, I do now, I go to a couple of childminder drop ins, messy play and toddler groups, and quite often we meet up at the park, softplays, we text each other to see what we are all doing, its nice to meet up for picnics etc, I dont tend to have many childminders at my home, but ocassionally we do have meet ups and do craft etc