My friend called me extremely upset today and told me after 7 years they are finding a new childminder as things have completely disintegrated with their old one.
There are quite a few reasons for this. There is some 'creative accounting' (friend's words) where hourly rates change frequently and they are billed for things that do not happen, poor quality meals, the house being a building site with kids herded into one room for months at a time, childminder's relatives being allowed to stay when they are ill but friend's little boy sent home for a snotty nose.
To top it off, when they gave their notice, the childminder left them in the lurch by taking the money and then saying she wouldn't look after the boys at all anymore. I'm not sure of the details of the contract, but my friend is out £1000 with no childcare now and has had to scramble to find someone else.
I remember one incident a few years ago where my friend's son came home (about age 4 I think) talking about 'X and Y being naked in the swimming pool' and it transpired that the minder and her husband were naturists and went on weekend naturist retreats. I have no problem with naturists, and they were not doing this around the mindees, but how did the kids find out about it?
Anyway, my friend now wants to know if there is anywhere she can review this childminder and warn others to keep away. She is already making a complaint to Ofstead.
I don't use a childminder, so no idea really if such a place exists where you can recommended/warn against specific childminders? Any ideas? Friend knew I used MN and specifically asked me to find out if anyone on here could help.