off to Ikea

[loocyloo]

😊 I'm off to Ikea at the weekend.
I don't actually need anything ... but it's quite a drive and i haven't been for about a year so is there anything i ought to be looking at childminding wise? !!!
Thanks x

[HTSMumma]

Chocolate orange torte in the restaurant. Totally needed for childminding... ;-)

[loocyloo]

Chocolate orange torte in the restaurant. Totally needed for childminding... ;-)

:-) :-) :-) definitely!

[watford wizz]

First make sure you've done a thorough risk assessment including your own trolly pushing abilities and your ability to stay within your buget. Risk assessment of vehicle will it all fit and will car move when we have rammed it full and "where am I going to sit". You may find it easier to hire a bus/lorry/ removal van. Also if taking hubby use wrist strap or reigns as "wonder off" syndrome can cause loss of valuable "look at that!" Time.
Dress appropriately for the consumer mountain climb and pack sensible bag include tissues, Kendal mint cake, cash, change of shoes, road recovery details, your credit card, your "must try this chair" bottom, his credit card , your best "must have one of these" authority voice, his other credit card and other such important bits. Then go and have a great time!!
Don't forget to do a thorough evaluation afterwards including some photos if you can. I'm sure you will be able to cover the whole EYFS and EYO during your trip. Have fun x

[smurfette]

[QUOTE="watford wizz;1389787"]First make sure you've done a thorough risk assessment including your own trolly pushing abilities and your ability to stay within your buget. Risk assessment of vehicle will it all fit and will car move when we have rammed it full and "where am I going to sit". You may find it easier to hire a bus/lorry/ removal van. Also if taking hubby use wrist strap or reigns as "wonder off" syndrome can cause loss of valuable "look at that!" Time. Dress appropriately for the consumer mountain climb and pack sensible bag include tissues, Kendal mint cake, cash, change of shoes, road recovery details, your credit card, your "must try this chair" bottom, his credit card , your best "must have one of these" authority voice, his other credit card and other such important bits. Then go and have a great time!! Don't forget to do a thorough evaluation afterwards including some photos if you can. I'm sure you will be able to cover the whole EYFS and EYO during your trip. Have fun x[/QUOTE

Lol nice one!!!!

[sing-low]

Haven't been myself for a while but feel a trip coming on (I need some baskets lol). So if you spot anything good, let us know!

PS don't forget to get some tealights

[Tulip]

Lucky you. I would be buying the all in one cover up bibs that have sleeves and some flannels with loops on for hanging up, make great hand towels for children. Have a great time, let us know what you get.

[VeggieSausage]

fabric food, huge tub of hama beads, rolls of paper, finger puppets, toy kitchen metal pans and utensils....there is too much to mention....

[clareelizabeth1]

Go to the bargin basement first just encase you buy all their large items and have to spend the day taking it apart. (Large 5*5 expedit unit in blazing sun got sum burn but was worth it)

[smurfette]

I am going myself tomorrow to buy kallax for dd2
And dd3 a room. Will pick up some more bibs love love love them.. Also someone mentioned their children's metal cutlery., plus need some more boxes for the playroom kallax... Better be careful!!

[loocyloo]

Lol! Thanks
Actually ... reminded me I do need some more flannel hand towels and new coverall bibs!

[FloraDora]

My favourite ikea buy is the coloured plastic photo frames -£1 each I use for self registration.

I always buy their cheap serviettes too - I always have serviettes at the table and although the quality isn't brilliant they work for childminding, saving my nicer ones for me. ( cloth for Sunday's and special occasions only) .

I always look at their fabrics for making drapes for dens or dressing up - often get it at a cheap per metre price.

Most of their toys are good value.
My youngest LO's who are looking at colours enjoy an activity of matching all the colours when setting a teddy bears picnic using the £1 plastic plates, cups, bowls and cutlery 6 of each colour - £4 is good value for such versatility too, as the plates and bowls are often used in art and craft. Not a big plastic fan but these work a treat.

Enjoy.

[natlou82]

Ooh you naughty lot! All this thread has done is make me want to go to Ikea and spend, spend, spend lol!

[smurfette]

My favourite ikea buy is the coloured plastic photo frames -£1 each I use for self registration. I always buy their cheap serviettes too - I always have serviettes at the table and although the quality isn't brilliant they work for childminding, saving my nicer ones for me. ( cloth for Sunday's and special occasions only) . I always look at their fabrics for making drapes for dens or dressing up - often get it at a cheap per metre price. Most of their toys are good value. My youngest LO's who are looking at colours enjoy an activity of matching all the colours when setting a teddy bears picnic using the £1 plastic plates, cups, bowls and cutlery 6 of each colour - £4 is good value for such versatility too, as the plates and bowls are often used in art and craft. Not a big plastic fan but these work a treat. Enjoy.

How do you use the frames flora dora? I

[lollipop kid]

I like the high visibility bibs. I put my mindees in these at Playgroup so that I can scan the room at a glance and know where each of them is. It gives them lots of freedom, but equally, it allows me to spot any potential issues quickly.

I also love the children's cutlery (it's a little cutlery box sold in the toy area - so lovely!!) The pots and pans, and cooking utensils are great value, too, and look (and sound) like the real thing.

Have a great time. (Personally, I rarely go any more as I always bankrupt myself. Instead, I make a list of what I would like and send my other half for me - he's really good and only brings back what is on the list.)

L

[loocyloo]

I like the high visibility bibs. I put my mindees in these at Playgroup so that I can scan the room at a glance and know where each of them is. It gives them lots of freedom, but equally, it allows me to spot any potential issues quickly.

I also love the children's cutlery (it's a little cutlery box sold in the toy area - so lovely!!) The pots and pans, and cooking utensils are great value, too, and look (and sound) like the real thing.

Have a great time. (Personally, I rarely go any more as I always bankrupt myself. Instead, I make a list of what I would like and send my other half for me - he's really good and only brings back what is on the list.)

L

Thanks. Reminded me that actually I could do with new hi viz! (Mine are reaching end of useful life! )
I like the cutlery too ... I think I possibly have most of ikea already at my house!

[lollipop kid]

I love the Ikea KUSINER wall pockets. I put these in my hallway, with the child's name above/below each one hand-written on a sticker with a coloured background (highlighter pen works well) denoting that child's colour. I use this to store a small hard-backed notebook (from Tiger), that I use as their home contact book (also with the same sticker). It lives here at the setting (just in case Ofsted come unannounced and use a missing book that hasn't been brought in by an absent-minded parent to mark me down).

I can also put any of the children's bits in here, such as winter hat, gloves, special toys (the small ones they all bring then lose!!)

Just thought I'd share.

KUSINER Wall pockets - blue - IKEA


L

[smurfette]

I love the Ikea KUSINER wall pockets. I put these in my hallway, with the child's name above/below each one hand-written on a sticker with a coloured background (highlighter pen works well) denoting that child's colour. I use this to store a small hard-backed notebook (from Tiger), that I use as their home contact book (also with the same sticker). It lives here at the setting (just in case Ofsted come unannounced and use a missing book that hasn't been brought in by an absent-minded parent to mark me down). I can also put any of the children's bits in here, such as winter hat, gloves, special toys (the small ones they all bring then lose!!) Just thought I'd share. KUSINER Wall pockets - blue - IKEA L

Ooh yes I have these too and love them for any left behind bits . Also use a sticker on each one with their name. So handy !

[FloraDora]

How do you use the frames flora dora? I

I have a long thin shelf in my hall and I line them up there. On one side is just the child's name and the other is photo and name. There is also one of me, DH and Ozzy the dog. The just name side shows if they are not here and they turn it around as they arrive and back as they leave. Even the 18 month loves doing it. If DH and dog go out one of them turns theirs around.
Above I have 'Who is here today?' - we make a new sign every other week as they like touching it and seeing the colour pattern , I see this as a good opportunity for writing.

Today we have added numbers in a line , one in front of each photo, made out of buttons ( which we made earlier in the week) and stuck them up and talked and counted how many are here / not here etc... The buttons add texture and my 22 month has spent a lot of time tracing over them with her finger, taking them down and giving them to the 35 month old who tuts and puts them back up in the correct order, hadn't anticipated that they would be such fun!

[FloraDora]

Like the idea of the pockets....can I trust myself to go for just one item though?