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Original poster

Childminder refused to disclose Ofsted number-normal?

37 replies

queenofthepirates · 12/11/2012 16:19

In brief, I was speaking to a prospective CM for my daughter. All was going well until I asked for her Ofsted number so I could look at her latest report. She refused point blank until I had signed a contract with her, telling me she was rated good and that was all I needed to know. She told me she'd never been asked for her number in five years prior to contracts.

AIBU naive to assume that most parents would view their CM's report before signing up?

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Original poster
queenofthepirates · 12/11/2012 17:28

Thanks all, glad you're confirming my gut instinct

OP posts:
colditz · 12/11/2012 16:32

She will have been asked for an ofsted number, because you need to give it to the inland revenue to claim tax credit help with childcare. I wouldn't touch this woman with a barge pole. If she has an ofsted number, which I doubt, she has no reason not to tell you what it is.

GrimAndHumourless · 12/11/2012 16:31

massive x posts Grin

but yes, RUDE to brush off a request, especially as looking at the report is a reasonable thing to want to do, it ain't like you are asking to see her tax return or peer in her wardrobe

SquishyCinnamonSwirls · 12/11/2012 16:30

I do the same as Frosty.
I have had someone leave but not inform TC and it only came to light about 8months later when TC called me to confirm some details.

surfandturf · 12/11/2012 16:29

Mmm your request is not unusual and her reaction may have been a little OTT, although by giving out our ofsted registration no to complete strangers we risk that someone might submit it to claim fraudulently for childcare benefits. It may have been wise to ask if you could have look at her most recent report while you were there. If you search the ofsted reports online in your area it's usually quite easy to work out which childminder is which Wink

HecatePropylaea · 12/11/2012 16:28

I'd want to see the report.

Surely it can be printed off and shown to people? Not wanting people to see some number or other doesn't make sense as a reason to not let them see the report.

I would actually be concerned about that response. It's really snotty.

In five years, nobody has ever asked me for my number. I'm rated good and that's all you have to know?

That comes across as really rude.

I wouldn't use her.

GrimAndHumourless · 12/11/2012 16:28

same as Shoshe, trouble with fraudulent tax credit claims, but yes to handing over a paper copy with reg no blanked out

TBH it's not THAT hard to find the reg no and reports on the ofsted website but hey

nailak · 12/11/2012 16:27

some dont do this coz parents claim the tax credits using the number but dont actually send kids.

fatfingers · 12/11/2012 16:25

Ime it is normal for a cm not to disclose their number until contracts were signed. This is to prevent parents fraudulently using the number to claim tax credits.

My cm is "only" Ofsted satisfactory but I don't care about those labels tbh. I go with my gut instinct and I knew when I met her that she was the right carer for my child.

KirstyJC · 12/11/2012 16:23

Sounds very odd to me - walk away. I've only ever used a nursery but when we were looking at them, all the Ofsted numbers were offered straight away. How on earth are you supposed to make a decision without the facts?

Even is she is brilliant and the report is excellent - would you really place your children in her trust when you can't even trust her to give you relevant information? I wouldn't trust her from the start - not the relationship you want from someone looking after your kids!

Find another one!

FrostyTheShosheman · 12/11/2012 16:22

I didn't give mine out till contracts were signed as have had people use it fraudently to claim tax credits. BUT I always had a copy with the number blanked out for them to take away and read.

NatashaBee · 12/11/2012 16:22

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