Childminding groups

**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

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

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

**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

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

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

**Trouble** · 03-01-2008, 07:48 PM

they havent got a good reputation thou i have

**Trouble** · 03-01-2008, 07:48 PM

sorry thats bitchy

**Polly2** · 03-01-2008, 07:50 PM

ha ha

**Rubybubbles** · 03-01-2008, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by rascal

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!

**Rubybubbles** · 03-01-2008, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Polly2

This is my childminding group

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.

Shirl

**ajs** · 04-01-2008, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by rascal

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.