Question for childminders

[Rarrie]

I'm hoping to start work as a childminder in August. But, at present I have very few toys in my house (only ones for my baby under one year), so I thought I might start buying toys now,as I see them, so I can spread the cost and pick things up in sales, when they are reduced etc. However, I have no idea what would be the best toys to get. Could anyone please be kind enough to write a small list of the best toys to put on my shopping list. (I am hoping to have two children aged 1 -5)
Thanks

[KatieMac]

Hi Rarrie

My lot like (All under 2)

Shape sorters Puzzles (peg ones)ELC Tape measure Dolls (baby) Buggys Sticklebricks Building blocks Shopping Trolley

Don't like
Farm Doll house Lego

Remember with soft toys they must be washable (or you can freeze them)

And we spend lots of time outside what ever the weather!!

Will think if they ever play with anything else (fav=drawing with pencil crayons (wax are diff to get out of floor!) and make your own playdoh)

[nicm]

Hi rarrie

I started cm a year ago and had no toys as i don't have my own children. i had some games for the after school kids and bought arts and crafts stuff and then was given different sorts of toys from friends. i bought swings last easter and a tunnel from elc. these got the most use and were played with right through to sept/oct. i would say this is the best purchase so far.

just to let you know as well that the elc will give you a discount card which gives you 10% off stuff as long as they are not in the sales.

hope this helps

[alibubbles]

Remember you will also need to make sure that your toys and books reflect the multicultural society that we live in. Ofsted will look for these at your inspection. If you want any book titles of books, email me via contact another talker

A box of scarves, pieces of material etc which can be used as a cloak for a princess or king, or as a sari, hats, necklaces and gloves, shopping baskets are all fun for any 2 year old.

Role play things, tea sets, woks, chopsticks, chinese bowls, etc
Play food, or make it yourself and paint it, use model magic.

Puzzles, peg board, picture dominoes, threading cotton reels, megabloks, sorting boxes, a box of things like whisks, wooden spoons, measuring cups, plastic pastry cutters and mini rolling pins, can also be used for playdough, - make your owna as needed.

Big fat felt tips, large sheets of paper - use wallpaper lining paper, comes on a roll and is cheap

A couple of dollies and pushchairs, only a £5 each from ELC and store easily. Happy land people are nice and chunky to hold, bean bags rather than balls, easier to teach to catch and can be used fairly safely indoors as well.

Don't buy lots of commercial plastic toys, that have no taste or smell or texture, hunt out wooden things from places like Wilkinsons, Woolies, Oxfam do a good range of multicultural wooden stuff, all new, also go to NCT sales. lots of toys at good prices, give them a good wash and make sure that they are not broken in any way.

Store your stuff in clear lidded boxes, labelled with contents, so you can rotate it easily. Hope this helps!

[KatieMac]

Yea Alibubbles I've fixed my wallpaper to the wall so I can just cut a bit off!! It's great

But you can borrow books from the library (Iget them for 12 weeks)!

I agree the plastic toys are not as used as the wood ones - fortunatley i had a lot of wood from my dd (in really good condition)

PS did you find out about the under fives??

[GillW]

Once the weather gets warmer I'd have a trawl around your local car boot sales - there are always people selling toys and childrens books - usually only for pennies each. That way you could get a lot for a fraction of the cost of buying new (and there's the bonus that if it's stood up well to use by one child it's probably fairly durable). Then you'll only need to pay full price to fill in any gaps and for things like craft materials.

[samwifewithkid]

Books

Puzzles/Jigsaws/shapesorters

building blocks/megablocks

cars/lorries

anything that uses their imagination

pop up playhouse and tunnel (easy to store)

ride on cars

have a look on Ebay for good deals, but always check condition and original price it sells for!