When I was working as a registered child minder I was told at several training courses that I should work in partnership with parents.
This is great in theory but some parents work in partnership more than others.
One parent had the idea that because she was paying me to care for her child, I should be the one to do the potty training: this wasn’t a problem as I have done this several times, however all week I would have her child dry using the potty and wearing pants rather than a nappy. At the weekend when she looked after him, she decided to put a nappy back on so come Monday morning we were back to square one.
I had a similar incident with weaning off a dummy. All week with me a child was perfectly content without her dummy, at the weekend she was given the dummy back. You have to be consistent with children for such developments to be a success.
I would also expect parents to dress their children in suitable attire to match the time of year. One parent kept forgetting to send a coat in spite it being the middle of winter ( because she drove to my house she didn’t think he needed one). I kept asking for a coat, but rarely did it happen.
As a child minder I liked to look good to the public when I was out with the children, it was embarrassing for people to see me dressed up warmly and the child in my care was freezing cold. Eventually I solved the problem by letting this boy use an old coat that my son had outgrown.
I expected parents of young children to put nappies, wipes and nappy cream in the bag. One parent didn’t send nappies so I bought some from the corner shop, when I added this cost to her bill she complained that they were more expensive than the supermarket nappies she usually got – funny that she never forgot to include them again!
Some parents go out of their way to work in partnership, if I took the children out during the summer we would often have ice creams which I charged to the parents one mother would put some change in an envelope in the bag for me to use if I needed it because she didn’t want me to be out of pocket until pay day.
Most parents will do their best for their children.
I expected parents to collect their children at the time agreed on the contract.
I sometimes felt that because I worked from home parents thought it didn’t matter when they turned up. Once a parent forgot to collect his children ( usually his wife did it) I think it was a genuine mistake, but then he asked if I required payment for the extra hour ( as it was for 2 children, yes I did want the extra fee).
I never minded if a parent was late if it couldn’t be helped: if they were stuck in traffic or held up at work, but I would expect a phone call or text message informing me.
Early years professionals and parents need to have a good relationship for the arrangement to work well for everyone concerned especially the children.
Please share any experiences with me.
As always comments, questions and topic suggestions are welcome.
Until next time.
Karen
x
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i totally agree in order for things to work it has to be a partnership. Very interesting blog Karen.
It winds me up when parents take the mick and I’m a parent myself! For success with milestones like potty training both childminders/nurseries and parents must be on the same page, it’s so confusing for the child if not. Great post! #GlobalBlogging
Fair point. Childminding is a profession as any other also and should be respected (and anyone working as a childminder for that matter). Child education can’t really be outsourced, so ownership needs to be with parents… #dreamteam
Agree that parents have ownership, as a registered child minder, I was aware that nobody knows a child more than her parents, thanks for sharing your thoughts x
as a childminder myslef i totally agree with you. thanks for sharing
I’ve not had to use a childminder or nursery but I’d never dream of expecting them to potty train my children! Parents have to take ownership, surely. And to send them without nappies etc is just rude! #ItsOK
I’ve read that schools have the same problems with coats and appropriate clothing! Children who can’t play outside because their parents haven’t even sent them in with a coat is ridiculous. I don’t know what they’re thinking – children need fresh air in all weather! I’d like to think I work in partnership with our nursery and always try to think of the bigger picture and everyone’s needs. #KCACOLS
I worked as a nanny for a family for years, i was always given a budget, but i had to tell the mother in advance what my plans were and seek approval for the trips, she also paid my mileage which was always needed. If she ran out of nappies or something for the children I never minded purchasing it as I knew she’d reimburse me the following day #itsok
I used to hate when parents would arrive late and then be shocked when I charged the fee. But my time is worth money, just like theirs so I stuck with it. The only parents who complained were the ones who wanted to pick up whenever they remembered or felt like it. #GlobalBlogging
Sounds like this is a difficult balancing act. I haven’t had a childminder, but hope that our nanny would think I am easy to deal with 😉 Thanks for sharing with the #DreamTeam
That sounds incredibly frustrating and actually quite stressful. #KCACOLS
Completely agree! As a teacher in the states, I have the same problem with appropriate clothing. I always feel so bad when students show up with a short sleeve shirt and it’s freezing outside. #KCACOLS
Completely agree with all this. As a parent of a little girl at nursery I would always do all I could to cooperate with them over these kind of things. But not everyone thinks like us! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time!
I think your expectations sound very reasonable. Great that you could lend the child a coat when their parents kepts forgetting that they should wear one. It does sound a bit of an odd thing to keep forgetting, but as with some other things (such as regularly failing to be on time) it could be a sign of the parent(s) having poor executive functioning, and perhaps struggle with some things due to an invisable disability such as adhd, add or autism. When peolpe annoy me, I try to remember that they might have difficulties which I know nothing about, so I try to be patient and forgiving (though I don’t always succeed!) x #KCACOLS
All mine have been to nursery but similar ‘rules’ apply I think – interesting read! #KCACOLS
It must be so frustrating to work on something like potty training and then to have all your hard work undone!
You make such good points here, especially about the potty training and dummies. That would drive me insane.
Thanks for linking up to the #itsok linky.