Why Choose A Childminder
Childminders are probably the best form of childcare available to parents. They are especially ideal for babies and under twos, who need to develop a close relationship with an adult through one to one care. I believe outside of school, childminding is probably the best kind of childcare for our children. When looking for a childminder, there are many things that you will be looking for and will want to consider. To give you a better idea of what a childminder can offer, it is a good idea to visit a few different childminders before making a decision. It is all about finding the right childminder for your child and you. Parents feel so much happier when they found someone they can totally trust with their child. Taking your child to a childminder can be the next best thing to your own home.
One of the main advantages of using a childminder is that your child will be one of a small group. This means they will have plenty of individual attention. Behavioural problems usually stem from children not having enough attention. Every child should feel important, they should be listened to and acknowledged 100% of the time.
It is proven that children settle much better into a smaller home environment. Being in a smaller group and having one primary carer seems more natural to children. In their lives they will already be attending a school environment until they are at least 18 years of age now, so it is of great importance that these secure, solid early year foundations are in place outside of school hours, these foundations will stand your child in good stead for the future. Family life, love and security is the key for children to thrive, be happy and progress. A good childminder will give all of these things.
If there is an issue there is only the childminder to deal with- rather than an entire hierarchy at a nursery, any issues or problems with a childminder can be dealt with and resolved very rapidly.
Parents like and trust their childminder, they get to know them personally, they know their background, reputation and character. Unfortunately in most nurseries and pre-schools there is a large turn over of staff, some with little or no experience of children, the managers decide who cares for each child from day to day, not the parents. Children are shy around people they don't know.
Often childminders look after children from babyhood through to secondary school, giving them a great sense of security and continuity. Children are by far more confident when they are cared for by someone they know well and trust, they express their feelings/ideas and ask more questions. Children benefit from consistent care from one person who knows their individual needs and their individual interests.
Childminders are personal. Caring for small numbers of children means that childminders get to really know the children as they grow up and families they work with, they develop close relationships allowing them to offer very individual support.
In nurseries there are chances that children do not get one-to-one attention. Nursery staff might not be aware of any problems a child might be having at home, they might not remember their pets names or siblings. They have large number of children to staff ratio. The quality of time, patients and care is by far more thorough in a childminding setting.
A childminder does all the things with the children that a parent might do when they are not at work. It's a home from home. Most children feel very secure with their childminders, a childminder has a real bond with their children.
Childminders have their own public liability insurance are all personally registered and inspected annually by Early Years Social Services unlike individual carers working for a nursery.
They are safe. As part of registration childminders will have had an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure (the most stringent available); a health check; and had their home inspected to make sure it is safe for children. They will have also shown a childcare inspector how they meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
They are flexible, Childminders are usually self-employed and so can set their own hours and, so they may be able to offer you overnight care, short-term placements or one-off sessions. Flexible hours to suit your working hours including evenings, weekends and school holidays
They are nearly always cheaper than nurseries.
Most Childminders are happy to look after your children if they are poorly when nursery’s will not, so its less time you have to take off work.
From a practical viewpoint, childminders can often be more flexible about pick-up and drop-off times. This extra flexibility may mean that you don't have to organise back-up care as often and is particularly useful if you work shifts.