Hi there
I have just starting childminding and my first mindee is a 5 year old who gets dropped off with me at 8.15am then I take him to school for 8.40am. He comes 5 days a week. I have another 2 year old mindee who gets dropped off at the same time, and a 2 year old daughter of my own. This means that the 15 mins maximum that the 5 year old is in my house is chaos at least half the time as one of the 2 year olds usually throws a tantrum. The rest of the time we read a book together, or he plays with the others.

One week in, I have found that having an activity ready that he enjoys means that he is reluctant to leave for school. Getting all three kids and their gear out of the house and into the car is already quite a challenge to a newbie like me!

Anyway, the advice on this website is that I should find out from mum and teachers how I can support the 5 year old's learning, and plan activities accordingly so I can show Ofsted, but how do I manage this in 15 minutes each morning (hypothetically ignoring the 2x 2 year olds)?

Surely I'm not the only childminder in this position...? Any advice REALLY gratefully accepted.

Thanks in advance :)
Rach

hello and welcome!

my advice would be to not plan anything as such! 15 mins is no time at all, I'm impressed at that time of day you even have time to read a book!

maybe you could have out something he enjoys playing with, or an activity just for him, that is kept on a tray and he can return to each morning, without the 'pressure' to finish it before he leaves for school?

yes, I have a chat with mum/teacher about what they are doing, but 15mins is such a short space of time, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

maybe in the car you can sing songs, chat about what he is doing at school, chat about anything that is relevant to him at that point - weather/seasons/events ( like bonfire night, getting a new dog ... )

have fun and good luck xx

Agree with loocyloo - I would read all the statements in EYFS and think about behaviour of the child (PSE), about conversations had on way to school, (they they did at home or at the weekend, things you see on way to school (C&L) & KUW, do some counting or recognising shapes and numbers (Maths), etc. Obviously things like art work & construction may be difficult but you are only providing wrap around care so it's up to the teachers to deliver EYFS.

Don't be too hard on yourself. For a five year old even things like allowing him enough time to put on his own shoes/coat is good planning with an excellent learning outcome. Independence would be a big thing - so, encouraging him to hang up his coat by himself at yours, and if you have a child height coat peg then you are creating an enabling environment too. I used to give mine a plastic box each to store all of their things - bookbag etc. so if he is managing all of this himself then great. Helping himself to a drink from a water jug or a step stool to reach the tap, washing his hands properly after using the loo etc.

You could find out what his topics are at school and then ensure that you have a couple of library books linked to that topic in your reading area - or in a tray just for him like loocyloo suggested. I really like the tray idea, because if he does start something that he doesn't finish then he knows he has somewhere safe to leave it until the next morning - again, enabling environment. If his fine motor skills need working on then you could set up a little Montessori style of tray, with some tweezers/scoops/jugs/droppers etc.

How about setting up the activity as you have mentioned and if he's having a problem finishing then buy an egg timer so he knows that when the timer goes off its time to stop and get shoes on. He'll get into the routine of things and realise he only has a little time at yours.
I've found that children who can realise/see the time for themselves are often more willing to stick to it.

I have around 8 children in a morning, dropped off at 8am and we leave at 8.30am. I'm relaxed in a morning and they can just free play. Some choose to colour, others choose to play and the older ones (9 and10) choose to watch TV. I'm busy making sure my 13yr old has all her lunch, homework etc. She leaves t 8.15am so the minutes do just fly by with no real time to do anything really.

These are all brilliant ideas, thanks everyone. I especially like the egg timer idea. I do most of these things already, so its good to know I am on the right track. Now to figure out my other big issues - how best to deal with a 2 yo who regularly pushes/hits/snatches/pinches other kids, and how to get my daughter to share her toys! I'm sure I'll find lots of good advice on this forum :)

You're already doing it all hun. Chatting to him, reading a book. It can all be linked in. Don't plan anything. Just support his learning with exactly what you're doing x