The long summer break was one of my favourite times when I was a registered child minder.

I took on a few extra children, who were mostly ones that I had cared for before they went off to school: It was lovely to be able to see them again and catch up with their parents ( most of which had become life long friends).

Most days along with the under 5’s and my own son I would have 6 children to entertain.

This may sound like the ultimate nightmare to some people! But with hand on heart I loved it and I know that the children did too.

The key is to think ahead and have lots of activity ideas up your sleeve.

Obviously good weather makes it easier and as there was a wonderful park complete with a children’s paddling pool about 10 miles away, we would often spend days there. Anyone who saw me traipsing from the car park to the park must have wondered ‘what on earth!

Each child would be given a bag to carry as I took swimsuits, towels, a picnic blanket, each child’s packed lunch, plus my own, a bag of suitable toys such as bats and balls’ and water toys for the pool, a camping chair for myself to sit in and a double buggy for any babies. ( I did feel like a pack horse!).

I led the way and like the pied piper the children would follow in a line behind me.

For the cost of an afternoon’s car parking and an ice cream, which I added to the parent’s bill’s we had an enjoyable few hours.

On days that were not warm enough for the paddling pool, but still dry we weould go for a walk to the local museum, which was free to enter and sometimes had activities for children going on, as did the library.

( It’s worth looking for such events several weeks beforehand as places are often limited so book if you can.

Children enjoy a picnic in the park or garden.

I regularly got together with other local child minders for things to do with the children: This meant that I could have some adult conversation and it made taking the children to the toilet safer and easier ( as anyone not needing to go could stay outside with the other child minder.

A friend, who was not a child minder told me that her husband had seen myself and another child minder sitting in the park eating ice cream while watching the children play. He had told her that being a registered child minder looked so easy that she should do it.

I did find it easy, but I think the reason that the children in my care were well behaved was because I always tried to make every day fun by having things planned for us to enjoy together.

One day while sat in the park a mother who was sitting near us asked me “How come all your children are so well behaved, when I can’t even keep 2 under control?”

Of course I was happy to explain that they weren’t all my own children.

I also had loads of rainy day arts and crafts ideas.

I have written them in this e book available to download from Amazon for only 99p here

Summer activities from ichild here

Read my earlier post on money saving activities here

I would usually do one big daytrip during the holidays that parents paid for more on that here

There are 6 weeks of summer fun coming very soon, plus the extra income is always a welcome bonus too!

Do other child minders love the long summer break?

Please let me know.

As always questions and comments are welcome.

Until next time.

Karen

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