Gonna be too hard!

[BlondeMoment]

Hi Minders. I'm just wondering if any of you have had this problem.

I mind an 8 year old who attends school. We do a school run in the morning, and one in the afternoon. It's an hour's round trip as I don't have use of a car.

The four year old I mind is about to start the same school in September. But I've just found out, only part time to start with. Which means three trips to that school a day! It's uphill and I have to take a double buggy.

To start with I'll have to go once from 8.30 - 9.30, then again 11.30-12.20, then again 2.30 -3.30. Then after a month or so his day extends so he stays for lunch. So the afternoon trips will be 12.30-1.30, then 2.30 -3.30. It's hardly worth coming home! I'm going to have no time to do anything with the other children and I'm going to be absolutely exhausted! :panic: :(

[TheBTeam]

Does the parent/have a friend who could drive and work nearish, that they can pop out and do the journey to bring the child to you for the settling in days?

[The Juggler]

our school have wraparound nursery service which is open to reception children doing these induction hours.

Does mindees school have such a service?

It's a nightmare, I did this last year and totally messed up routines, nap times and like you say wasn't worth coming home between pick up for reception then normal school finish.

[BlondeMoment]

No it doesn't :(

Really don't know how I'm going to manage. Need to find out how long this will all be going on for. I really don't want to lose this parent as I have their two boys and they are the biggest payers on my books. :panic:

[BlondeMoment]

Does the parent/have a friend who could drive and work nearish, that they can pop out and do the journey to bring the child to you for the settling in days?

I know they have a friend who's son is also starting those days. I'd feel a bit cheekey for asking tho.

[The Juggler]

do you have him every day. You will manage hon, it seems awful. I walk the school run too and it's only just short of an hour round trip for me too.

One year I did a nursery pick up as well as the early reception drop/off pick ups. It'll pass really quickly.

Weather is usually good in Sept so plan picnics and lots of trips to a park near the school. Or do you have a fellow CM who lives nearby - you could arrange a few visits with her during induction and then return the favour once the mindee's settled in full-time.

[Chatterbox Childcare]

Ask around and see if any of the other children starting have a childminder. The school may be able to help you with this as they should keep contact details.

It will be hard - isn there any group you can go to between the first drop of and next collection rather than going home?

[miffy]

I know they have a friend who's son is also starting those days. I'd feel a bit cheekey for asking tho.

I would ask the parents if they could speak to their friend, she might be willing to drop the child to you at lunchtime and save you the walk

Miffy xx

[karen m]

it is really annoying,the staggered starting in reception is to get child use to school but majority of children have been at pre-school for at least 2 years,i have 1 mindee who starts 2 sept 9 till 3 another who starts 16 sept 1 week am next pm then all day by which it is almost 1/2 term then of a week how they expect children to settle i have no idea

[BlondeMoment]

It's the afternoon naps of the little ones that are going to suffer as well :( They'll be grumpy and ratty for not managing a proper sleep

[The Juggler]

it is really annoying,the staggered starting in reception is to get child use to school but majority of children have been at pre-school for at least 2 years,i have 1 mindee who starts 2 sept 9 till 3 another who starts 16 sept 1 week am next pm then all day by which it is almost 1/2 term then of a week how they expect children to settle i have no idea

I agree, it's not different enough hours from nursery/pre-school for them to notice. Our school do not do full-time until nearly October. I think 1 week of induction is plenty.