Childminder communication

[SoupDragon]

Hi ladies, just looking for experiences with childminders specifically, rather than nurseries. When you pick your LO up how much are you told about what they've been up to/how they've been that day? What woukd you consider acceptable/unacceptable about levels of communication?

 

[apple_20]

I think this is something you need to agree with the childminder. It depends how much info you want really.

My childminder used to tell us how he'd been (emotionally) what he had been up too, if and when he napped.

She moved onto using a computer based system so we could log in and she had written in more detail the activites he'd done. She also used to send us photos some days which was lovely.

I think if we had asked she would have given us more detailed info and equally when OH picked him up I'm pretty sure he got less info (or else forgot it!)

 

[MindUtopia]

I think it would be the same wherever your child spends the day. I would expect to know how she napped (or now, if she napped, because I've asked them not to let her nap, but some days she's just too tired or doesn't feel well, so she'll have a nap, I'd want to know this) and basically if there were any problems - she fell down and cut her knee, she was sick at lunch, she got scratched by another child, she touched some stinging nettles and has a rash, she felt warm all afternoon and might be getting a fever, etc. When she was younger and still having bottles, I would have wanted to know how much of each she had. About 60 seconds of just checking in is all I need or have time for. I don't expect a full accounting of everything she did, how she is feeling, what she ate, what time she slept, etc. Basically, I'd just need to know if there was a problem so I could act on it at home, like getting her to bed early if she's not slept or making sure to change the plaster on a cut. They have enough record-keeping to do for each child and there are still other kids there when I pick her up, so I don't expect a detailed report every day. Nor would I want it because I'm in a hurry to get home and get on with dinner and things as well.

 

[lisa1980]

Mine tends to give me a general update on what he's been like in the day and will mention any specific things she's worried or pleased about or any funny stories. She'll usually mention if he's napped or not and what he's eaten too.

We're more like friends now though so I feel able to text her or call her if there's anything else I want to know, and she's always happy to chat. She regularly texts/emails photos of what they've been up to as well, which I really like. She has an online resource too but is a bit sporadic about updating it (to be fair, it's a mammoth task).

 

[zorak]

My son goes to an in home daycare which is the US equivalent of a childminder. I never looked for massive updates, when he was on formula she'd tell me how much he had (we fed on demand so timings never mattered) and just generally how his day was.

Now that he's nearly 2 he's in such a routine I'm comfortable with her just letting me know of any concerns or anything out of the ordinary. She's aleays been good at texting me through the day anyway with picture updates so usually I know what's going on (if something that is) before I even get there.

 

[zorak]

Should add our carer is led by us. If we wanted more info we would get it but we are quite relaxed parents so these type of updates suit us and my little boys smiles say it all.

 

[Cattia]

Our childminder uses an online system so she writes a general update about what the kids have done during the day and then adds specific information about individual children. It includes things like what their eating was like, how they played, any particular achievements etc. There are also individual photos on there. It's nice to get that much detail as with pre school we don't get anything unless we specifically ask and once they start school there is zero feedback!

 

[SoupDragon]

Thanks ladies

I think I'm just really anxious about leavng her...I have never left her for more than an hour or so since she was born, and I freak out even leaving her with her Daddy or her Gran, so to leave her for an entire day with someone I really don't know that well and who doesn't know DD like I do is making me very very nervous.

We're doing settling in sessions, so I'm hoping that will help, and I've got a doctor's appointment on Monday for suspected PND, so if I do have that hopefully some sort of treatment will help with the anxiety.

I have to go back to work, I don't have a choice, but maybe the childminder will humour me while we're getting used to the new routine and give me extra details of how she's been so I can see she's doing fine.

 

[Pink Sarah]

I'm sure your childminder won't mind if u ring up in your lunch break to see how lo is getting on to help you settle. That's what I did with ds1 at first and on days when he didn't seem 100%. I go back to work in sept and ds2 is such a mummy's boy I think he will struggle with going to child care but I know it is beneficial in the end for our family x big hugs you will be ok x

 

[lisa1980]

I felt the same when I first left DS1 but he really loves it there now and he's been taken into her family as if he were one of them, which is lovely. It took him a while to settle as he's a very sensitive boy who is nervous around strangers but it's really helped to improve his confidence.

I'm sure the childminder will be happy to give you regular updates. If DS1 was tearful when I left him my childminder would always text me a photo shortly afterwards to show me he was happy and playing so I wouldn't worry. I think one of the bonuses of childminders imo is that they can be quite flexible, particularly when settling a child in.

 

[lam_76]

My childminder keeps a diary that comes home with him and she updates it every day but she also spends time chatting at pick up time too. Its good for me because its usually my mum that drops him off and picks him up so i still know what he's been up to. He took a couple of weeks to settle but she always text and sent photos so we knew he was ok.

 

[newbie1992]

My 10mo goes to a nursery and everyday when i collect her i take home her parent communication book, in it, it tells me how many meals she had per day, whether she refused, had small, medium or lots of it and that is 3 main meals and 2 snacks per day. It also says how much milk she has drunk, how long she slept for and has a bit of detail at the bottom about the kinds of things she has done throughout the day.

I love it because i miss her when im at work and it means that i then get to know everything she has done throughout the day. I can also call up during the day to check on her if i want, i just dont because i dont want to bother them, although i did for the first few weeks..

do what makes you happy thats what i have learnt, it will make it all so much easier.