Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

my CM just let me down

33 replies

Liz79 · 30/06/2008 16:59

So, last August when I was still pregnant I booked a CM. A woman I know through work and used to work with. Very happy with arrangement. Rang in January to give DDs name and DoB, confirm still Ok for September when I plan to go back to work. I ring her today to see about her and DD getting to know each other in plenty of time. She says "oh well, there's been some developments you see". She is going back to a previous career, she didn't tell me this as she assumed I didn't want her anymore, because I haven't spoken to her since January, and we haven't signed anything. In fact before she decided to rejoin previous career, she gave my DDs place to another baby and she has since let that mother down too. I am soooo annoyed, should I have spoken to her more? When should we have signed something? Should she have waved document in my face months ago? I thought 2.5 months before returning to work would be plenty.

Also what do people think about this ofsted report here

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
1dilemma · 03/07/2008 23:45

Ah yes maths!!
Sounds good though

Original poster
Liz79 · 03/07/2008 11:58

thanks for all your help xx

I think it says she only minds one child as she also has her daughter = 2

OP posts:
1dilemma · 03/07/2008 01:29

recent ofsted too

I love the way she only minds one child yet it says 'the children' thoughout!

1dilemma · 03/07/2008 01:25

Sounds great

How do you think she cleans the balls? hose-down or individually alco-geled
please ask her I really want to know now
wonders off muttering why could I never find one like that

Original poster
Liz79 · 02/07/2008 22:59

and is member of NCMA and local CM group

OP posts:
Original poster
Liz79 · 02/07/2008 22:58

So I think we have found a new CM

We have seen two but not yet the pregnant one. The 2 we have seen are both lovely. We are a bit awkward as I am bank staff at the hospital and might do 1 shift 1 week and 5 the next and all different days of the week. The first one wanted me to pay a minimum of 3 days/ week (just under £80) to guarantee the space. Fair enough but a bit too pricey for us, especially if I don't get much work. The other one charges the same hourly rate but is happy to do pay-as-you-go. She has an assistant sometimes who would come if she was upto her numbers. The assistant I think is a SAHM and comes round as and when needed, doesn't do it for the money. I haven't met the assistant but will do if we go with this CM, which I think we will. She has a very good ofsted report here and her paper work appears very comprehensive. She is big into infection control, each child has their own changing mat, face cloth and hand towel. After nappies/toilets she uses alco-gel as well as washing hands (ott?). She has a specific play room which is ace. There is a wendy house which is a ball pit (she cleans the 900 balls each evening ) lots of toys, lots of paintings and messy play. They go to a soft play group which is just for CMs and mindees and the park which is the same as we go to. She provides lots of home cooked food, she has done food hygiene courses and been inspected by environmental health. And she's nice.

OP posts:
alibubbles · 02/07/2008 16:30

The paperwork is a pain in the neck,I leave it and get all mine done and up to date in the holidays as I work term time only.

I make post note observations or jot notes in my daily diary as well as the children's diaries, and then do a catch up

I much prefer to spend the day playing with the children, going to the farm, market, etc.

We had a great day watching my chicken pen being built today, lots of "learning" going on - maths, science, nature etc, tongue in cheek emoticon!!) best bit is throwing the woodchip in, smelling it, pitting it in buckets and tipping it out again, and not being told off for making a mess!

FruitynNutty · 02/07/2008 13:44

alibubbles so that's what I was missing I had never even heard of a support CM until about 6 months into it So I didn't get any advise on what Ofsted like to see. Having been a Nanny and a mother I assumed Ofsted would want to see how great I am with children. Didn't cross my mind to have all the paperwork they seem to want. I know for next time though. This is also a bit annoying as I've still got a year and a half with "Satisfactory" when I know, now I have the paperwork, I would get much higher than that. They're so mean

love2sleep · 02/07/2008 11:05

"Can a dire CM have a really good ofsted report?"

Oh yes.

My first CM had a fantastic report saying all the amazing things she did with the children and their parents. When I contacted ofsted to point out that she didn't actually do any of these things and had in fact broken several of their key guidelines they were not at al interested. As far as they were concerned she had ticked all their boxes.

My second CM was a wonderful lady who has a natural talent for childcare but no interest in paperwork so her report was pretty awful.

alibubbles · 02/07/2008 10:29

It's not true that newly registered minders only get satisfactory. I am a support minder and all mine have got good, bar two, who got OUTSTANDING!

ThePrisoner · 01/07/2008 19:42

Yes, a dire childminder can have a brilliant report, and a brilliant childminder can have an appalling report. I know several examples of both.

Getting "satisfactory" does not necessarily mean that the childminder isn't an earth mother - so much of the judging process is down to paperwork.

I always tell parents not to judge a CM by the Ofsted report only, and to visit and make a more informed decision after that.

MindingMum · 01/07/2008 16:33

Yes Liz - I know a dire 'outstanding' childminder. As I always say on these posts, the inspection report isn't worth the paper it's written on. If you can talk the talk on the day it doesn't matter what you do for the next three years

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 01/07/2008 15:43

Don't know. I know a dire nursery that had an outstanding ofsted (because the report was done whilst someone else was owner/manager).

Original poster
Liz79 · 01/07/2008 15:33

Can a dire CM have a really good ofsted report?

OP posts:
jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 01/07/2008 15:17

But then I never pay that much attention to Ofsted as I think their inspections are barking (especially of nurseries and CM's) I believe my eyes more than their reports.

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 01/07/2008 15:16

I thought that report was fine. She was only picked up on paperwork and not carrying out a fire drill (have you done that in your home with your own children- I certainly haven't).

Original poster
Liz79 · 01/07/2008 15:09

my email is my name so don't want to put it, how do you cat?

OP posts:
chatee · 01/07/2008 13:53

don't want to give out too much info on here
liz79 but i am in carlisle too and might have info to help you
do you have a hotmail addy or some form of making contact?

Original poster
Liz79 · 01/07/2008 09:55

thanks everyone

DD is 6m old at present. I think one of my first questions will be what happens when your babies arrive!

OP posts:
elkiedee · 30/06/2008 22:14

That sounds annoying re planned CM but re the new possible one you're looking at.

I think the CM, care and play described in the report sound quite good and would discuss the important things that are mentioned in the report - consent for trips out etc. The criticisms made are things which are easily put right and she may have done so already, or about paperwork.

I'm trying to work out your daughter's age from what you've said and assume she'll be just under 1 when you want her to start but over 1 when CM's twins arrive. She has assistants. She doesn't have any other under 3s does she? - her own or mindees, that is (that could be a problem I think, you're only meant to have 3 under 3).

This one sounds worth meeting and chatting - trust your instinct whether it's reassuring or you have more concerns.

nannynick · 30/06/2008 22:07

Childminder was registered in May 2006. Inspection report is from inspection that took place in early November 2006. So it was the first inspection, and it is now 18 months+ old, so I would expect that things will have changed. As they have been recommended to you by another childminder... visit them and see for yourself, don't rely on the Ofsted report.

Registration Conditions explains how many children can be present, when an assistant is present.

What will happen when the twins arrive is a potential problem. It could also be a major factor in my view with regard to why she has vacancies, as parents may have switched to another childminder, as this childminder approaches their maternity leave period.
Visit them, see what they are like for yourself, and ask them your questions.

FruitynNutty · 30/06/2008 21:52

I don't condone what this CM has done to you but as for the report. Was this her 1st inspection? I only ask because most CMs get satisfactory for their 1st inspection. Ofsted tend to treat our "homes" as if they are nurseries and expect us to have the same policies/procedures/countless paperwork. Unfortunately I also got a satisfactory even though I don't know one person who would agree. It's mainly all the missing (and mostly unnecessary) paperwork which can bring down a CMs Ofsted result even if they are the most wonderful CM. Most of the paperwork I didn't have, I wasn't even made aware of and having been a Nanny for so many years, it didn't cross my mind to have so much paperwork.

However this CM has let you and the other lady down so I agree with the other posters, "you've had a lucky escape" as she would probably make a habit of letting you down and it's not worth the risk.

It's a shame you don't live near me as I have vacancies coming up

Best of luck! I'm sure you will find a wonderful CM. Just remember to take the Ofsted result with a pinch of salt . I would go with my instinct.

coolj · 30/06/2008 21:40

Sorry Liz, dont know any personally, just know some around here. Good luck finding one though.

Original poster
Liz79 · 30/06/2008 21:35

I don't CAT!

Do you know anyone in Carlisle that's good coolj? We both work in the city and live here.

OP posts:
chatee · 30/06/2008 20:38

please CAT me(if you can)

Swipe left for the next trending thread