Visiting friends with children

**grindal** · 08-07-2009, 07:35 AM

I have been minding for about 3 months now and all is going quite well. In the past I used to visit friends who had children and let my boys play with their kids. Since I have been minding friends have come to my house with their kids, but I have not gone to anybody elses house. Is it OK to take mindees to a different house (friends are not childminders, but do all have children) or should i just continue to ask people to come to mine?

**rickysmiths** · 08-07-2009, 07:48 AM

Absolutely. That is one of the good things about being a childminder. All you need to do is a Risk Assessment for the outting and enjoy.

I started Childminding so I could be with my children and do the things I would have done had I not been minding so visiting friends, shopping, swimming, baby gym etc,etc. This is why parents choose home from home care.

One set of parents in 15 years explained at interview that they did not want me to laeve the house with their child

so I quietly explained to them why I would not be prepared to care for their child!

**beckyteddy** · 08-07-2009, 07:52 AM

As long as your friends don't mind it's absolutely fine!

The only things to take care of is to do a quick visual risk assessment to check everywhere looks safe for the children that you have with you ie. no dangeling curtain cords, or stairs if you have crawlers and to make sure your friends don't put hot drinks in silly places (which they probaby woudn't if they got kids of their own anyway)..............and away you go!

**grindal** · 08-07-2009, 08:25 AM

Thank you that is great news. We go out all the time, but I was a bit unsure about taking them to a house

It now means that I no longer have to play host all the time and can now go elsewhere and make a mess in somebody elses house for a change

**Chatterbox Childcare** · 08-07-2009, 09:05 AM

Don't stop doing what you were before. This is all part of being a childminder and home from home

However, your friends might appreciate coming to yours if you have a lot of children in tow!

**newandlearning** · 09-07-2009, 07:53 AM

hello.. I tend to say to my friends .. I've got two more with me today.. is that ok?? so that way they are prepared for me and four rather than just my two..x

**grindal** · 09-07-2009, 09:51 AM

My own 2 boys are both under 5 so I only look after one more anyway. Everyone has been coming to me for ages, so it will be nice to get out and see them for a change!

**mabel** · 09-07-2009, 10:31 AM

Absolutely, usually I tend to go if I have 1 or 2, 3 is pushing it a bit unless children are in the garden, I find we sit where the children are playing ie if they are in the garden so are we

this way you are promoting socialising for them, other children and adults

well done !