Advice please

**caz** · 31-01-2008, 09:30 AM

Hi im just going through the registration process and was wondering what everyone does with the children when you need the loo. My friend a childminder was told by offstead to take them with her, there not to be left unsupervised. What do you do if a child is uncomftable with having to join you. Are you ok to leave them if they are playing happily.

Caron:

**ajs** · 31-01-2008, 09:32 AM

as long as you can hear them then they are fine

my two mindees follow me and often end up sitting on my lap

delightful isn't it i never allowed my own to do that

**ajs** · 31-01-2008, 09:33 AM

sorry i should have said hello and welcome
i didn't realise this was your first post
have you said hello in the welcome section

**LittleMissSparkles** · 31-01-2008, 09:35 AM

my downstairs loo is a stones through from my main minding areas (kitchen and living room) so I usually take the little ones with me and tell the older ones i can hear them still and to be good for 5 minutes.

x

**charleyfarley** · 31-01-2008, 09:36 AM

I'm the same as Mandy

My son has a habit of following me so mindee now follows him. Can't even get 2 minutes piece on the toilet when minding

Carol xx

**Twinkles** · 31-01-2008, 09:36 AM

I usually leave them in the playroom where I can hear them. I have one mindee who thinks that I'm not capable of going to the loo by myself and feels that she has to escort me! She stands outside the door and knocks I then have to knock back just to reassure her that I havent disappeared.

**caz** · 31-01-2008, 09:44 AM

Thanks everyone, I did introduce myself but in the wrong place, thats what you get when you let your 11 year old do things for you, how embarrising lol.

Caron

**sarah707** · 31-01-2008, 10:09 AM

Hi Caron - lovely bunny, is he yours?

I'm lucky I have a downstairs loo and I never close the door - just dash off during the day, making sure baby is in the playpen and safe first!

I imagine it will be one of the things in your risk assessment anyway, so you can show Ofsted how you do it!

**LittleMissSparkles** · 31-01-2008, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by sarahnev707

I'm lucky I have a downstairs loo and I never close the door

i have to have it pulled to as my toilet faces my front door !!!not funny when C or Amy open it and Amy says what you doing mummy ....!!!!

xxx

**polobear1970** · 31-01-2008, 10:17 AM

Hi Caz,

welcome

I'm new to childminding too, at the moment I only have mine part time, so try to go before they come, but other than that my toilet is downstairs , so mastering the art of going in 2 seconds flat lol

lisa

Pipsqueak · 31-01-2008, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Twinkles

I usually leave them in the playroom where I can hear them. I have one mindee who thinks that I'm not capable of going to the loo by myself and feels that she has to escort me! She stands outside the door and knocks I then have to knock back just to reassure her that I havent disappeared.

Thats funny!!!!

My mindee normally asks where I am going, I say to the loo and she says are you going to do a poo? My answer is no (in 99% of instances! lol) and she'll shrug her shoulders and and tell me to wipe myself properly and if I need any help to shout for her! Bless

**Rubybubbles** · 31-01-2008, 10:22 AM

My loo is upstairs,and only really pop the baby in the travel cot, much to his horror lol!!!

I couldn't have them all upstairs what a palarva (spelling!)

**crazybones** · 31-01-2008, 10:26 AM

Downstairs loo is a godsend, especially when potty training. The days of putting them somewhere safe, whilst keeping potty out of way, undoing stair gate with one hand, tipping down loo, cleaning up and then getting downstairs as quick as possible. (shudder). Well worth every penny spent. Then when we installed a hand dryer instead of wet paper towels all over the place - luxury.

Anne

**susi513** · 31-01-2008, 10:31 AM

Mindees must be within sight or sound at all times. You can take mindees with you - eg a baby can be in your arms or lay safely on the floor on a changing mat beside you, a young toddler can be distracted with a toy while you preserve your modesty lol.

You can leave a younger child safely playing in a cot and as long as you can hear them, you can leave older children to play briefly. Just put scissors & pens & such like away before you leave the room.

But mindees should not be left unattended with a visitor if you have Ofsted or parents present, you have to cross your legs or take the mindees with you.

**peggy** · 31-01-2008, 06:23 PM

i live in a ground floor masionette and my loo is a stones throw away, i just tell my little ones i'm going to the loo and they're fine - i dont care what ofsted says i wont let a mindee or my own children into the loo with me when i'm using it - what if its the time of the month??? - I just do not think it is appropriate, everyone needs some privacy!!!

**deb24** · 31-01-2008, 11:16 PM

What do you do when your out take them all in the cubicle with you?
If you have a baby in a car seat there is no way that you will both fit in a cubicle.Think better of going out with other minders

**ajs** · 31-01-2008, 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by deb24

What do you do when your out take them all in the cubicle with you?
If you have a baby in a car seat there is no way that you will both fit in a cubicle.Think better of going out with other minders

if i am desperate i go to a disabled loo so i can fit the buggy in too otherwise i wait until i get home

i agree peggy it is awful when you need to go when it is the time of the month and the lo are staring up at you
i do pull the door shut in that case and leave them outside for the seconds it takes me i agree it is totally inappropriate

**Lou** · 01-02-2008, 09:57 AM

I have a downstairs toilet so i leave the mindees in living room when i go to toilet.

Im sorry but its a sorry day if i cant even have a pee on my own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**oakie dokie** · 01-02-2008, 12:37 PM

i nip upstairs, while their downstairs, iv done a risk assesment and that tells me that its safer for me to leave them downstairs than me carry them up very steep stairs2 or 3 at a time, so bring it on, if they want to ask me about what i do. ill show them my risk assesment.

hazelx