What equipment do I need???

[beautyfan]

I'm in the finding out stages at the moment - haven't put my name down to go on the childminding course.

Just wondered what equipment I would need - I know I'd need a double buggy. Have lots of boys and baby toys but nothing for girls!

Please can anyone help here

Thanks xx

[sarahnev707]

ofsted like you to have a few bits for all age groups really so hit the car boot sales and charity shops and look for toys which have staying power and are multicultural / disability aware

I have lots of little people toys in small boxes - children get out one set at a time; I also have a book box, box of musical instruments, jigsaws, creative cupboard etc

I wouldn't go buying a double buggy just yet! Wait and see who comes along first (unless you spot a bargain of course)

Good luck with the course - let us know how it goes

Sarahx

[beautyfan]

Gosh you sound very organised! I am far from organised. My and I son put his toys back in a box at the end of the day! Of course I could sort it out if necessary thanks xxx

[t]

hi, i have done really well with toys so far from tesco, woolies and toys r us! my best buy would have to be my mcclaren double buggy...£5 off the boot sale! looks brand new lol

I wondered about storage, ihave the space requirement but if i start putting lots of storage units in the room it becomes smaller...i have a huge cupboard can i put the majority of things in here and just bring a box or two a session and just a small unit or bookcase in the room? Also i cant decide on units lol in argoz currently they have a pine frame unit which u can have tubs in the gaps...? Would this be ok? im worried about younger children pulling the tubs out and hurting them selves. They also do a slighting tray storage unit for toys but again u would have to be careful with what little hands could reach! Am i worrying too much??? Help! x

[allinatiz]

T - I think I have the tubs you are talking about from Argos, they work well for me (although admittedly I have yet to start minding someone elses children!), even with a very nosey 10 month old trying to get everything out

beautyfan - I am in the same position but reversed! Having 4 girls I have loads of 'girl' toys but very few 'boy' toys. When I had my pre reg visit the inspector wasn't overly concerned with the amount I had then. In our area we have a toy and resource library, you can hire toys for so long and then swap them for different ones, I can't remember how much it is a year. You can also hire equipment like double buggies, all they require is a cheque deposit which they only cash if the item is damaged on return. It might be worth finding out if you have something similar in your area?

[mel]

I had no girl toys as I have 3 boys myself so went to the local boot sales and bought a few nice things. Asda had cheap pushchairs and dolls and I threw in quite a bit of pink to offset the blue!

I'm sure you will be fine - I have found myself buying things as I go along depending on the age of the children.

I had a buggy and travel cot and high chair down as essentials and they have been invaluable

Mel x

[fruitbat]

There's lots you might need. But I wouldn't rush out buying until you know what age children you're caring for.

You might/will need:

Stairgates,
pushchairs (single, double or triple),
car seats (you could get parents to provide but they might not fit your car)
travel cots,
highchairs (I have booster seats with trays as they take up less storage space),
Baby chair
play gym
changing mat
Socket covers, door catches, etc
a selection of toys for the ages of children you want to look after (try and get some multicultural and diability aware)
Arts and crafts; painting, playdoh, glueing, drawing, etc.
Lots of storage
.....and a bigger house to fit it all in ;D

Don't be put of by the list. You wont need it all to begin with and might never need some of it. When you do need stuff check out boot fairs, nct sales, ebay, freecycle and friends for cheap and often free stuff.

Fruitbat

[purplenoitawolf]

i in process of getting last few bits of equipment now, been told dolls with different skin colour, cars, train sets, dressing up stuff, paints n paper, large card games such as snap, books, educational videos/dvds/comp games, duplo, bricks, prams, ride on toys, double buggy is a must, builing blocks, cleaning set for like a home corner etc. cra boots/charity shops n ebay r ur best bet i got loads from those places really cheap, oh musical toys and instruments are great.