Hi,

Im finding this whole setting up thing expensive work!!!
I have a one year old son and so have everything for this age but nothing else.
I have seen so many things I would like to have and I know are essentials at the nursery I work at at the moment, but its just beggining to go into silly money!
Am I looking into this too much by comparing to a nursery setting?
Does any one have a list of the things they could not be without.
Also, by OFSTED, do you have to provide for all ages, or just the age you have on your books (ie , if I have a 1 year old and two two year olds, would I have to have suitable things for a three-five year old such as board games or small threading beads, just because I COULD look after a 3-5 year old?)

Running out of funds!!!!:(

Lucy

I have heard several times that you need toys etc for all age groups but I'm not going to do this. I've got things for ages up to about 3 or 4 I suppose but my oldest mindee is about 2.5 so I'm not getting anything older anymore for two reasons

1. I can't afford to
2. I don't have the storage space for things I'm not using!

If I ever get older mindees (which isn't likely for the foreseeable future as I don't way anymore) I will buy things then.

Ofsted can like it or lump it! It's my money and my home at the end of the day!

Have you a local Sure Start Resource Library? I am a member of mine and its really good. You can pick themed boxes of toys to borrow which are exchanged every month and a half or so. It costs about £11 per year i think- awful memory!
I also would join your local freecycle internet group, I've got a little tykes kitchen what someone was getting rid of and I put a post wanting play food, crockery and cuttlery and got 2 offers. Its free stuff if you are lucky enough to get it!
When I started up I enjoyed hunting for bargains at charity shops, car boots and made some home made stuff also.
It dosn't have to cost a fortune!!!:laughing: :laughing:

When i started up i just got things to suit the ages of the children i cared for at the time and gradually it has grown over time :D

I think its fine to just have the age you look after. I would just say to ofsted that if you look after older children, you will get some more equipment for that age group. We have bought stuff that is suitable for quite a range of chidren - ie. Duplo which would suit a young child building a tower etc to an older child who can make a house etc out of it.

I am finding it expensive as well and certainly won't be buying any brand new equipment. I have so far got quite a bit from freecycle, and will be going round car boots when I get the chance.

Even without the equipment, I have paid £45 for doctors form, £20 application fee, Bought some brand new storage units for the playroom which was £120 and the only brand new thing I am buying, and its for my baby too otherwise wouldn't have,will have insurance, ncma membership if i bother, advertising costs etc.

Did you get a start up grant, I am so annoyed that my area don't offer a penny!! :angry:

This is the 2nd time I am setting up and it can be expensive.

Most important is Safety equipment. stair gates, fireguards, cupboard locks.

Then buggy, double buggy, High chair, reins, plates cups etc

Multicultural stuff. OFSTED etc love the multicultural stuff.

Toys and stuff can come as and when you see it or need it.

I would buy only the bare essentials - If you have a 1 year old a double buggy is a must.

Then wait and see you may get older children so not need a second high chair. Last time I bought equipment as I needed it and will do so again.

Do not compare yourself to a nursery - they have lots of money from fees to re-invest. People look for childminders to provide a home environment not a nursery one:) .

Join Freecycle, look in boot fairs, look on Ebay, look in charity shops and sales. Do not spend a fortune when pre-reg as OFSTED do not expect you to.
Write a wish list and say you will get things when needed

I think you should go with the flow and dont try to do everything at once

Of course you are not going to have everything to start with - so dont compare yourself to a nursery or another childminder it is unrealistic

We all have to start somewhere

I dont think any of us had much to start and I have a lot now but still want more

You could carry on and carry on

Being realistic you need to obviously have the basic things but even that is not going to happen over night is it

Set yourself whatever small amount you can afford each month and buy a little something you will be surprised after a year what you have managed to collect

Good luck

Angel xx

they can't expect you to have everything at once as Angel says just by something every month it soons adds up.

thats what we do we ask the children what they would like ever so often and make a list then gradually we get it

you also have to think of storage if we got them everything they wanted we would have to move to a bigger house:laughing:


cathy

It's hard when you're starting up and all you seem to do is pay out.

Some of us have been minding for a long while and have built up resources over the years

You can't be expected to have everything at once - charity shops, car boots, e-bay, freecycle, friends etc are all good ways of getting cheap resources but if I were you I'd wait and see what age group you are minding for before buying lots of things that might not be used.

True Ofsted like to see a range of toys but you could draw up a list of toys you would have for each age range - that would show Ofsted you know what you're doing.

Good luck
miffy xx

searching charity shops for certqin stuff is a good idea.. long it not damaged etc they no prob .. oh and cleaned

i wouldnt bother to much until you know what mindee's you will have hun

ive got 4 plates, bowls cups and knife forks etc which are only for my minde's - plastic - which were in sale ...

im looking into a travel cot and double buggy but i am going to wait til i know i actually need them.

try not buy to much hun coz lot could just sit there not being used x

I buy as needed..but have a wish list for OFSTED purposes! :thumbsup:

Thanks for all the replies,
I do get a start up grant, have been told somewhere in the region of 300pounds...sounds a lot but as I add up the NCMA cost of 138, 3 CRB checks, doctors fees, registration cost and some safety things (already have stair gates) there really isnt any money left for toys and craft materials!!!

Have joined freecycle but no luck yet...im soon to scout the carboots (not before I do my own to actually raise some funds!)...and after your suggestions am going to scour the charity shops (plenty of them where I live!)
I love the multicultural stuff, im going to Australia this year so im going to search all the local markets and craft fairs for a bargin!
Other than that, I like Happy Land from ELC (and will get my 10% off as a chilminder) as this can be used for all age ranges, but there are so many other resources, I just dont know what to choose; as I can only start with a small amount, i'm spoilt for choice... Wish there was a list of things you HAVE to have-im terrible at descision making when it comes to shopping!!!

Lucy

I'm lucky in that having a 5 year old and 2 year old twins, we have loads of toys for both indoor and out.

I would say IMHO that the following are definitely essential toys in our house:

Duplo bricks - ideal for such a wide age phase
Wooden bricks - so much you can do with them. DD1 loves building with them, DD2 sorts them into colours and DS just likes filling boxes and trucks with them!
Wooden train set (Tescos or Ikea)- we've had so much fun with this - even BIG kids (daddy and grandad) love this. You can also add to it over time, a few pieces every now and then.

I'd also have plenty of arts and crafts - paints, collage stuff, paper, glue, etc. (Hope Education is quite good for this. A bit expensive to start with but packs are much bigger so work out cheaper)

There is a toy library in our town where we can go and borrow different stuff, I havnt used it cos I cant get to it but will start once driving bt have heard its really good from other minders!

x