Childminders

I'd recommend 2x changes of clothes per day just in case as some days for example my son has got completely covered in food and had to be changed and then has pooped through the spare outfit, so a second one is then required!

Think you’ve packed more than me when I took my son to the cm. Personally I’m not sure about her having his red book. Also won’t she be providing food? Stuff like sudacream, teething gel and calpol possibly incase of emergency.

@Karen yes agree we don't send our red book. We do pack a couple of snacks (usually just some fruit and cheese or something) but our cm gives him lunch and also provides Wipes so @Elena maybe check if yours does provide anything like Wipes/cream etc as it'll be one less thing for you to pack. Our CM has calpol in case of emergencies so I usually don't send ours unless I am anticipating our son needing it because of teething or reaction to jabs etc

@Kirsty maybe I leave one there and pack one for each day, thank you x

@Karen she’s asked for his red book incase of emergencies. No I will be providing his food, I will add the other emergency bits. Thank you x

@Kirsty no I provide wipes, nappies and creams! I will check on the Calpol though x

Unless she’s specifically requesting the red book I wouldn’t send it as there’s a risk it’ll get lost

@Ceri-Ann she’s just asked for it to be in his rucksacks daily for emergencies x

I wouldn’t leave the red book there either, can’t she just have a photocopy? I worked in nursery and we would only photocopy and handle it back

@Barbara I’m not leaving it there, I’m sending it with him everyday in his back pack and he will bring it home each day.. essentially it will just live in the backpack x

When my son went to the childminder I purchased bottles and formula to stay at her house rather than taking it everyday and she’d let me know in advance when she needed more. Also why the flask and rapid cool? Won’t she make bottles using a kettle?

Dont need red book, probably don't need flask and rapid cool too. Ask the child minder. Probably won't need spoons either the childminder will have those

@Francesca I could leave her a bottle or 2 but that means she would have to clean and sterilise it which I feel is a bit unfair, she said I can use a formula tub there but as he’s only having one bottle a day with her it’s easier to just pack a little tub each day. If she’s taking him out for the day then surely she will need the flask to make his bottle and his rapid cool.

@Rebecca she’s asked me for the red book to remain in his bag each day for emergencies. If she needs to make a bottle then she will need his rapid cool and she will need a flask if she’s on the go surely? I will check about a plate and spoon with her.

@Elena that's strange to ask for the redbook. She will just need emergency contact details. Ask the childminder how she wishes to make the bottles. I used to just have empty bottles and the powder in powder pots and she would sort the rest

@Rebecca yes seeing everyone’s replies I think I will ask what she actually needs in the red book as she has my details his GP details and all his emergency numbers already! I can always photo copy specific pages if she wants that. I would prefer her to make bottles the way I do with the rapid cool x

@Elena personal preference but at that age I’d make a bottle in advance for taking out with me.

@Francesca yeah I don’t want her to do this I only want bottles made up when they’re needed x

@Elena you've got to remember ahe will have other kids too so she may not want to carry around a flask and rapid cool so you would need to ask her. She would be carrying around the other kids bags etc too so it would be down to what's easier for her and what works

@Rebecca it’s also my child and if she’s not willing to make a bottle through the recommended guidelines then unfortunately I won’t be happy leaving my child in her care. Bottles need to be used within 2 hours of making them up to when using formula so unless she can guarantee he will be having the bottle in those 2 hours I won’t be wanting her to pre make a bottle.

@Elena I'm not saying she necessarily needs to pre make bottles. She will have a kettle and can make bottles up as and when needed which I why I sent the powder in in the powder pots with an empty bottle. Yes you can say your preference and see if she does it 🤷‍♀️

@Rebecca if she’s indoors then that’s fine but if she goes out then she will need a flask and rapid cool as she will have no other way to make a bottle..

@Elena yeah so ask her. That's my whole point ask what her preference is. If she's happy to take the flask and rapid cool everyday then fair enough. No need to get shitty with me, you've posted to ask for advice

@Rebecca 👍🏽

Maybe something that smells like you to begin with? It might help soothe him whilst settling in, kind of like a comforter ☺️

@Heer he couldn’t give a shit if I’m there or not 😂 hahaha he’s always been like this x

@Elena stop 😂 also you’re asking if you’re missing anything on your list but instead people are commenting for you to take stuff out 🫠 but I think you rather ‘overpack’ and if the CM doesn’t need anything then she doesn’t need to use it or carry it around, at least you’ve done your part by packing it and having it ready incase she does! X

@Heer yeah I’m slightly confused why everyone’s got so aggy over a flask and rapid cool 😂 but any who! I’ll speak to her at his settle in session Monday x

@Elena id check about the making up bottles. Our nursery (and I know my friends childminder) requested ready to feed formula to be taken for feeds as the nursery didn’t have the time to make feeds fresh for all babies and the childminders were not able to carry hot water around the other children due to the risk of spills

@Ceri-Ann I’ve already confirmed she’s happy for me to bring formula powder so I deffo know she doesn’t want ready to feed formula. My son is also the only baby every other child is 2 and above so she won’t be making any other bottles x