Does everyone see other childminders?

[buzzy bee]

I've tried to meet other local childminders and I go to the group at the childrens centre sometimes, but everyone is already in their cliques and I've sort of given up.

Is this something that's important or does it not matter?

I see other friends with children the same age as DS which is the same age as most of my mindees anyway and I go to toddler groups and things.

[kellib]

The only other childminder I see regularly is my auntie and that's only because she's my auntie

I don't think it's essential, like you say you are providing other social opportunities for your mindees

[lyla's mum]

i dont. i have been to cm groups etc and just havent 'clicked' with most, they seem very contained in their own little groups. we do attend lots of other lovely group sessions where the children socialise with lots of other children, soft play, and football sessions so i don't worry too much about it

[miffy]

It's up to you, if you're happy doing what you're already doing then that's fine.

If you want to meet other childminders perhaps you could ask your development officer (if you have one) if they could introduce you to a couple. Some areas have support childminders.

Miffy xx

[Bridey]

I only look after before and after-schoolers nowadays so I don't attend the usual groups anymore. If I went back to working with under 5's then I would be the 'new girl' again - something I would be dreading in my little town with its numerous cliques and gossip groups. I think if you don't feel isolated and you don't feel you need other c/m support then choose your own friends. I find most questions I have are answered sensibly by the lovely site members on here anyway!

[jelly15]

I have become close friends with another childminder as we were on the same ICP course. I also meet with other minders once a month and we often pass on work if we are full.

[amanda1309]

I see other childminders nearly every day, it's the only way I stay sane
I started minding when we moved to a new town and cm groups was my way of making new friends.

I now see 6-8 childminders regularly through work and also socially.

[BucksCM]

I live in a small village and have been unofficial coordinator of the group for...umm...a long time (over 10 years) and I'm also a Bucks Buddie, so part of my remit is to make sure that new childminders have the connections they need. I always invite new cms along and also say to them to not worry if they find the first time a little daunting, it can be, coming into a group, but stick with it and you'll soonbecome part of the group That said, there are some who prefer not to attend groups and do their own thing...which is fine too.
We meet every wekk in each others homes and have done for years, the benefit of joining a group is you get the support you need, share ideas, could have a back up system if ill or need cover for holidays, we also go on group outings(better to have that extra pair of eyes)
We also have evenings out, got one tomorrow, good to be able to actually chat rather than up and down when the children are around!
I guess what i'm trying to say is that don't give up if it's what you want. It can be difficult to "get into" a group, but it will have a lot of benefits.
If you're not bothered, then this is the place to get your questions answered

[loocyloo]

i used to have lots of CM friends that i met up with the children and socially.

i moved 260 miles away!

we're still friends, but its by phone/text/email, and one girl and i skype occaisonally the children love it! her mindees know me, and mine now know her!

but although i know of and have met some of the few CM in my area, we don't have a group, or rather we do, but they never come. i don't aim to meet up with any of them, and just see other children & parents at toddlers/CC. some are becoming friends and have have come to play/vice versa. i meet up with likeminded CM on training courses/network events.

[boxtree7]

No way don't like cliques there is about 7 childminders on my park ! They stand outside the school chatting for 20mins of a morning and the same after school - they block the path to nursery as they gather in a circle ! I was in the same Network as them and they ganged up on the newer childminders at the time. (Not my intention to offend anyone in the clique)

[EmmaReed84]

I talk to a few CMs in my area, one is MIL, the other I did my CYPOP 5 course with and another lives a couple of doors from my Nan and is opposite DS's school, she also collects a friend's son. I got chatting to her one day. I don't do cliques, never have, never would. I make sure I get out and see different people, not just minders. We visit my friends, CMs go to groups and chat to our local market stallers, baker and butcher

[Mouse]

We have a lovely group of childminders here and meet up regularly - both working and socially. I see some at school every day, so even if we're not at a group we still chat daily.

We're all good friends and I don't think we're particularly cliquey, though of course it must be difficult to join a new group when everyone already knows everyone else so well. Having said that, we do get a lot of new childminders join us so we can't be too off putting!

[Tatjana]

I speak to them at groups, the school and one in my road another round the corner but that's as far as it goes, don't 'meet up' as it were, I'm just friendly and that's what i'm happy with.

[primula]

I meet twice a week more or less with a small group and we plan together for the group and covered lots of festivals/celebrations and birthdays! etc. lots of excuses to eat cake mainly!!
we have about 13/14 kids and we cover for each other parents know all of us, works for us (LA even used us as a ready made network! cheeky!)
If you are already out and about and socialising thats just as good, its for your own sanity aswell as the children to learn social skills

[Wendybird]

I'm the same as OP - meet up with friends with similar age kids to my eldest (2.5) and go to the toddler groups and classes with other parents. I've been thinking it would be good to make some CM friends though as it is a really difficult job and I don't think my friends get it.

[buildingblocks]

I'm the opposite as I struggle to get to groups as I don't drive and the groups are on days I don't have children. I am lucky though as I have a CM live opposite me and try to see her once a week depending on the children we have in and I have a good friend who come across every Thursday for what is known as our Sanity day.

[mushpea]

I meet up with two minders daily, we plan activities together and help each other with any probs with paperwork etc, its nice to have another person to talk to during the day other than child talk!
we also have nights out together reguarly.