Taking the Children Shopping

**Tily Bud** · 22-12-2007, 11:34 PM

I agree Pauline x

I was having a conversation with a new mum the other day and were discussing the nursery that his son currently went to, she was saying that i is good that they take them out on little walks and forest schools - to this i replyed that this is something that childminders do all the time we just dont label the outings thats all !

Cheryl x

**Blaze** · 22-12-2007, 11:38 PM

I'm the same Pauline...people always asked me if i was a childminder before I was one & I agree..if it works stick with it!

Tasha

**nannysue** · 23-12-2007, 06:33 PM

My little ones love to go shopping, it does not have to be tedious and boring. They help choose the things ... learning about colours, numbers etc. Taking turns putting on the belt and paying, chatting to the ladies at the till... learning to be sociable. Its all part of the learning experience and as we provide a homely enviroment this is all part of everyday life.I am often told what well behaved children they are.( i have seen different when they are out shopping with a parent!!!) I had 3 singing christmas songs as we walked to the shops and backon Friday.

Sue.x

**ajs** · 23-12-2007, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by Pauline

Yes that's just what I was going to say.

Childminders are special because they off home from home type care with a variety of situations that you would not get in other types of day care.

As far as I'm concerned you should give them the same type of life as they would have if they were at home with mum or dad.

Before I became a childminder, I would take my kids shopping, do arts and crafts, have educational activities all with the added bonus of being able to take advantage of that sunny day for a trip to the park. It worked for them so that's how I treat the minded kids now.

They've all grown up to be well adjusted, clever individuals so why change a good formula?

and you didn't need ofsted to tell you how to bring them up did you

son77 · 24-12-2007, 03:56 PM

I've recently started taking my mindee's shopping with me. Another childminder told me after her inspection that Ofsted really like us to take our mindee's out shopping, that was a good enough excuse for me.

**Banana** · 03-01-2008, 04:28 PM

yep...

I take my minded children shopping with me. Sometimes we will go in town and look around the shops and always take a trip to the early learning centre which ususally lasts about 45 minutes. I probably say i take them in town 1-2 times a month.

If i need food shopping I do a big shop when richard is here or i get it delivered from tesco. But if i feel like a walk down to morrisons to have a nosey for something in particular for tea then I dont see why its a problem, Isabelle goes shopping with me and recently she has been loving it as she helps a lot now and enjoys getting things from the shelves. Its all educational doing things like this

xx

**mrsbumbles** · 03-01-2008, 04:38 PM

We also go shopping, we go to the chinese supermarket around this time of year to get supplies for chinese new year, we buy fortune cookies and lucky sweets and the children meet people from other cultures. its a great experiance for them.

**Rubybubbles** · 03-01-2008, 06:20 PM

I do the same as everyone else (I think you all agreed!!) I may pop to the shops if necessary for milk, bread ect, but do my main shop online or at weekend when hubby home!

I don't think it does them any harm at all! I know the 2 I look after one always gets shopping delivered and the other goes on a friday afternoon whilst I've got the baby

but hey! As long as they are good and enjoy 'lifes little pleasures!' I get paid to shop for arts and crafts to do with children!

**ajs** · 04-01-2008, 09:02 AM

i always make a point of telling the parents that i may go shopping with their children when they are here.
i tell them mainly as it's a small town and you can be sure that i'll bump into grandma or aunty on every shop.

not one mum says she has a problem with me shopping but one of the complaints about me made when a mum removed her children from my care was that i took the children in the car with me on what she saw as unnecessary journeys

**Rubybubbles** · 05-01-2008, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by ajs

i always make a point of telling the parents that i may go shopping with their children when they are here.
i tell them mainly as it's a small town and you can be sure that i'll bump into grandma or aunty on every shop.

not one mum says she has a problem with me shopping but one of the complaints about me made when a mum removed her children from my care was that i took the children in the car with me on what she saw as unnecessary journeys

unnecessary journeys!! Thats a new one, cos you didn't have anything planned to do once you got out of the car did you??

**Spangles** · 05-01-2008, 01:21 PM

What a cheek! It's not her place to judge whether you are doing unnecessary journeys or not everyone's opinion is different and if you've got a lot to get, not much time or other places to go you are obviously going to drive! Blooming cheek!

**emler** · 05-01-2008, 02:49 PM

Unnecessary journeys!! Have heard it all now

Emler x

**deeb66** · 08-01-2008, 08:28 PM

Catching up with older threads.

I agree with what everyone has already said.

The main thing to remember is that children should be encouraged to do day to day things....it is a part of life....so why should they be excluded.

I certainly wouldn't take them on the main weekly shop but have taken them for educational mean. For example last month they made pizza's so I took them shopping to buy the ingrediants they needed, encouraged them to talk about the food and select their own vegetables they were going to use as toppings.

**oakie dokie** · 09-01-2008, 12:58 PM

i have taken them on a weekly shop, only when i have 1, they have helped me do the complete shop and then helped me to stack and sort into the cupboards when we get home. they helped choose what they would like for lunch that day and then helped to prepare it. all a learning experience.

**deeb66** · 09-01-2008, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by hazel2

i have taken them on a weekly shop, only when i have 1, they have helped me do the complete shop and then helped me to stack and sort into the cupboards when we get home. they helped choose what they would like for lunch that day and then helped to prepare it. all a learning experience.

To be honest I have done this too in the past Hazel....but only when I have had 1 child as you can focus on that child and you can also get it done faster.

Generally I look after three 2 year olds and that is the only reason I wouldn't take them for the full weekly shop....for my sanity if for no other reason - lol!!!!