Childminder Q's

[sparkles]

Just a quick couple of q's

I'm having a few teething problems with childminder. DH thinks I'm imagining them and I just need to relax and accept no one will look after her as well as I do :rolleyes:

Anyway…

Do childminders have to keep a daily diary or report to me what E has eaten / drank etc? Because she isn't. I don't want an essay, just a few words telling me about E's day

And it is two childminders working together, so lots of kiddies, but a lot of time when I go theres a lot of kiddies and only one childminder as other is on school run. Is this allowed?

Thanks girlies :kiss:

[Jamtart]

Do childminders have to keep a daily diary or report to me what E has eaten / drank etc? Because she isn't. I don't want an essay, just a few words telling me about E's day

This isnt an essential requirement (AFAIK), but I am sure if you asked her she will be able to pull something together for you



And it is two childminders working together, so lots of kiddies, but a lot of time when I go theres a lot of kiddies and only one childminder as other is on school run. Is this allowed?

This isn't allowed, they have to have the correct ratios so if one goes on a school run she needs to take some kiddies with her. Ask how many they are registered for - the max is 6 children under 8 of which no more than 3 under 5 and (of this 3) one under 12 months

[Lilacgirl]

My childminder does usually do a little summary of what Zach has done during the day which is invaluable and I also keep them for his memory box.

[Skibunny]

My old childminder did me a summary sheet of what the girls had done and eaten etc but my current one doesn't - it doesn't bother me too much at the minute as they're only there for one day but when I go back full-time in September I think I'd like more info about what they're doing.

The school run thing would worry me.

Skibunny
xx

[Helcatt]

Exactly what Jamtart said

I do provide a summary but that is my choice, not everyone does and not every parent wants one. I know one of the mums never reads it, but I keep up at it anyway

I would worry about the numbers. Are there more than 3 kiddies under 5 with one cm? It is possible to get a variation though, which means that Ofsted have agreed for them to more than the 'usual' allocation of numbers

Have you seen her Ofsted report? What does it say about numbers etc there? It will state clearly what she is allowed so you will know if she is breaking the law.

HTH

HX

[Booh]

I think that as a *good* childmider then she needs to be keeping a diary of what has been going on that day. I am presuming she provides food - this is even more important so you know what has been eaten. I do have a diary if you want me to send you one - could you ask her to compete it?

As for the numbers - if one childminder has gone on the school run, then at most there should only be 4 children under the age of 5 there..........and that is with a variation ...3 is the normal amount.

Any other problems then shout - bad childminders get on my t*ts! (sorry me ranting again)

[lucypede]

Would she do a diary if you asked her? Maybe you could buy a little book for her to write in, this is what our CM used to do for us. (She no longer does though, but I'm not bothered as Lucy is my little supergrass and fills me in on everything :wink:)

[Chell]

Have you seen her Ofsted report? What does it say about numbers etc there? It will state clearly what she is allowed so you will know if she is breaking the law.

HTH

HX

Her registration certificate should be displayed somewhere in her house (mine is in my hallway) and this will detail how many children she/they are allowed.

[sparkles]

Thanks for replies, sorry so busy since going back to work only chance to poip on is in my lunch break.

Elizabeth is only with them once a week, and last week was first time.

they have an unusal set up, it's two sisters who have built a play room at the back of their house, so the kiddies don't actually ever go in the house, and it looks like a nursery when you go in the play room.

When I dropped E off, there was 2 under ones including E, one boy who has just turned one, and three school children. I know their books are full. They've given me a sheet to sign that reads:

I__________ am aware that my child is either on K or N's register. there are times when K or N care for my child alone ie when K goes on the school run or preschool run. i am happy with this arrangement.
signed_________

I'm just not sure about it. havn't signed it yet, need to return it tomorrow.

then when I collected E, again only one childminder and lots of kiddies and she was too busy to talk to me. She was feeding the other baby and all the kids wanted her attention and Elizabeth was quietly playing on her own as she's such an easy baby and will do that all day. but I tried to ask if she'd eaten slept etc etc and she just dismeissed me with yes she's no trouble, see you next week and I'm so shy and scared I just scuttled away and now regretting not saying something.

Gah, why does this have to be so difficult?? Why can't I be rich and just stay home and look after her myself??:??

[Micah]

Gah, why does this have to be so difficult?? Why can't I be rich and just stay home and look after her myself??:??

Tell me about it:sigh:

I'm afraid I'm very much of the gut- If I wasn't happy in any way I'd look for an alternative. The childminders I have come across always do the school runs with their mindees- I can't see how you'd manage not to :puzzled:.

Do they stay in the one room all day then? I think I'd definately ask for an activity sheet :nod:

I know nursery is a bit different but ours is always very careful about their ratios, under 2 it's 3-1 so I was pretty sure they weren't being left to play on their own.

[Jamtart]

I wouldnt sign it without doublechecking thier regidtrations conditions and ratios. They may be aware they are breaking these conditions of registration therefore making you sign a waiver to cover their backs (I am so suspicious!)

ETA - one childminder should not have 2 children under one year, unless they have this pre-agreed (usually this happens in the case of twins only) so this would worry me

[Booh]

Ermmmm now this is worrying me too.

Please do not sign the permission form until you have checked as Jamtart says.

They need to stick to a ratio of one adult to three children (under the age of five), unless they have a special variation. You should be able to check this on the registration certificate which should be displayed for parents to see.

If you know the Ofsted registration numbers then I could read the reports and check for you as I know its confusing.

[thirzasmum]

This all sounds very odd to me.You don't actually know which of them is YOUR childs childminder?

My childminder has a friend accross the road that minds and sometimes if she's say got a doctors appointment then "auntie Chris" will do a school run for her but that was when DD was over 5 (and there would only be 3 or 4 schoolies in total anyway)

[Chell]

Are they both registered childminders or is one an assistant? If one is an assistant then they possibly can't be left alone with any children.

Did you sign a contract when you started E with them? I use ones that I have bought from my insurer so they ask for my OFSTED reg number and my liability insurance details.

If you are unsure you could always call OFSTED to query their registration - 0300 123 1231. IF they are doing everything as they should be then they won't have a problem with you calling OFSTED to check.

[Helcatt]

Do you have the registration number?

You can look them up onthe Ofsted site with this and see what their registration says - will tell you about numbers etc, or if you are not sure, then call OFsted for advice

Alarm bells are ringing here! I am another one who is sick to death of bad minders giving us all a bad reputation

HX