Hi, what do other minders do when children thay have had since 6 months old go to School and want to carry on coming before and after, plus holidays (and of course you are quite attached by then) but then you need new ones during the day for the money!! The juggling act is getting harder and harder, there is an after school club, but they want to come to their second home. At the moment over 30 children pass through my house in a week, they are all lovley children and of course several are siblings. Sometimes at Mum and Tots I mind every child in the hall at some time in the week - very confusing.
Any ideas before my Inspection in November!!

Sue

Wow 30 children

Seems to me you are already doing everything right with the juggling act

Its lovely that they all want to come to you Sue

Not sure I can give any advice just continue with the good work

Angel xx

Cor 30 children in one week! I'd get very confused! I've got 4 over a week and that's bad enough with getting names wrong and paperwork!

You're obviously doing a brilliant job!

No advice but 30 children!!! :eek:

:eek: 30 children!!! I am shattered this evening having looked after my 4 this week..
How do you manage 30? You must be superwoman!

I don't really have any advice either but it sounds like you have got things covered.

Wow, whats the most you have at any one time?

I struggle to remember whats what with 9!

Wow 30 children!!!!!

It speaks for itself - you must be doing everything right :clapping:

miffy xx

Actually because they have mostly grown up together or seen the babies grow they are like one big family and are lovley together (good social skills!!) I have three assistants at various times and have registered my husband and daughter as assistants as well. I actually love the 'hum' of them all busy playing or doing whatever, hate the paperwork, my aim was just to have a home from home.
Not sure as have had different answers whether I count the over 8's as children or not, haven't liked to ask too loudly, can someone tell me quietly!
Sue

Not sure as have had different answers whether I count the over 8's as children or not, haven't liked to ask too loudly, can someone tell me quietly!
Sue

Over eights don't count in your registered numbers although you have to convince Ofsted that you are able to meet the needs of the under eights if you have a lot of children over eight iyswim.

They do count in your insurance numbers though - my insurance covers me for no more than 12 children at any one time

Does that help?

miffy xx

I think 30 children must be the record:eek:

How ever do you fit them all in

I have 14 at the moment and that is only because some are just school holidays and some are just term times - some are full time - some are part time

Do you have a lot of older children

I agree Wendy it must be a record

Angel xx

Thanks for the comments, 12 is the most at any one time but that includes 4 over 8's. The intake last year in the village school was 21 - and I minded 8 of them! Fortunatly not all wanted before & after school care. I only have one full timer and he finishes this week as his Mum is about to produce, or I thought he was as she has asked today if he can still come 1 or 2 days a week as he wants to. I think as they have been here all their lives and know the rules it seems to work, just the tidying up takes a while!
Sue

Hi Sue!

You must be an excellant childminder to manage all those children during a week! I think it's lovely that they are so fond of you that they don't want to leave even when they're older. I hope that I'll be able to form that bond with my future mindees!

I wish you were still living in my area as it would have been great to have someone like you as a 'buddy' to help me with the minefield of starting out!

Carole x

Hi Carole, I am sure you will, my motto is - if you are nice to them they are nice to you and it seems to work. As to whether I prefer Norfolk or Cheshire I think you always love where you grew up and I miss the beach but we are in a beautiful village in the hills in the Peak District and I could look out my kitchen window all day, so I don't know!
Sue

Hi Carole, I am sure you will, my motto is - if you are nice to them they are nice to you and it seems to work. As to whether I prefer Norfolk or Cheshire I think you always love where you grew up and I miss the beach but we are in a beautiful village in the hills in the Peak District and I could look out my kitchen window all day, so I don't know!
Sue

But don't you miss the good old Norfolk folk? I had to go and pick my older two children up from Fakenham today and despite having directions I got really lost! There was this man walking his dog and I stopped and asked if he knew where the cricket club was and he smiled at me and in a really broad Norfolk accent he replied "yes I do" and then there was just silence! I said "well could you tell me how to get there please?" He said "well now let me think...." and reeled off a load of directions! It did make me smile but I managed to get lost again!

Told dh who is welsh and he said he quite believes it! - I just get my own back by mentioning sheep. :laughing: Really sorry if I've offended anyone from Wales by saying that :blush: but I think most of the welsh take it all in good humour!

Carole x