Am I being unreasonable ?

I'm just popping into this thread to say how sorry I am that you've had bad experiences with parents. I know lots of parents don't take their childminders seriously, but honestly lots of us do really rate the care we're getting, and wouldn't dream of assuming, for instance, that we can exploit the service we're getting. On the very VERY rare occasions I've worried about being late to pick my girls up (because of a train!) I've phoned, and I pay without question if our CM is working and we're off, and until very recently I was actually paid up a week in advance!

And now I'm off to write an article about childminders

Do you give a reference to your new au pair before she arrives of what you are like as an employer?

mine have all been first babies

So I tell them what they need to bring eg nappies, milk, wipes, etc

It is all in contract and agreed beforehand.

Sorry, meant to say
"... would not have minded too much digging up a reference..."

Don't you guys ask for references from your parents' previous childminders? Like, does she show up on time? Does she dump off the kids knowing they are sick and not tell me? Do the kids come dressed appropriately for planned activities and weather?

If someone had asked me for the this on my very first childminder hunt, I might have been taken a bac a bit, but if it was explained that a previous parent had abused what should be common courtesy, I would have minded too much digging up a reference. But, then again if it's a first baby I could have come up with anything.

I wonder if it would be helpful for you to add a clause into the contract that addresses penalties for these issues. Nurseries certainly do this. Although, it is worth keeping in mind that some of your clients probably use you instead of a nursery specifically because nurseries do this.

I hope this is helpful and I''m not just rambling on...

My DH is a teacher and I only have mindees from his school {it is a private school and I only work during school terms}

So families know him better than me

If they did inspect car seats they would know that another mumsnetter had to have her child in centre seat.

Sorry, had nightly bedtime thing to do with DD - soundly in bed, thank god!

I totally agree with regular checks and the thing about good reports lasting a longer time between checks.

Liked the thinking about personal circumstances changing like boyfriend of CM, etc. I think that is a valid point. I always ask a CM what their, DH,DP, older kids do for a living, if they live in, etc before making my mind up about leaving my 2yr old with them.

My childminder asked me if I wanted to pay a retainer fee for DD's place when I was between jobs last month. She charges half rate, but I suppose that changes from CM to CM and area.

Also, wasnt aware that authorities didnt check drivers licence, car seats, etc. Thought it would have been part of the check?

oops sorry typing one hsanded while eating tea

THAT SOUNDS A BRILL IDEA SSD

KM and KMac, I agree with you both re childminders checks.

I just wish there was a check made on parents who come to us as sometimes the most normal parents are the ones who are always late, don't pay on time or think you're nothing more than a glorified babysitting service.....references for parents from previous carers would be a great thing!

Sorry

sorry for hi-jack

oke doke

Crossed posts....agree about car seats should check MOT certs and Ins as well.

Shall we see what other C/Mers think??

I may just be insecure (as I mentioned)

I'll start up a thread - could you do a link to this one.

I'll make it quite general........

The thing I do not agree with with inspections is they have never checked my car or car seats

Have they ever inspected yours to check they are in securely?

Or even that you have enough seats for numbers of children?

The SS thing here is a new thing so hopefully it may change in norfolk

The retainer thing wasn't very much per hour

The inspection thing I suppose is true about new boyfriend etc.

My personal circumstances have been static all the time

Actually had a labrador dog when I started {she has since died}

Perhaps it could be just a quick check up or filling in a form

I personnally would rather they spent their time with others who either need their help or need careful supervision because of concerns of inspectors or families

I'm on the social services list (so SS can use me) - but we don't get a retainer round here
But I feel once a year is the min that childminders should be inspected and that more often if there are problems.

Think about it a childminder is (normally) alone with children, (often) isolated, (maybe) a recent mum, (potentially) vunerable. If nothing else her(his) mental state needs monitering.......

But seriously I could have an inspection today, tomorrow I could get a new partner - with a large dog, a need for a swimming pool or pond, he might smoke or do drugs, have a grown up son - who had been arrested for flashing at children, anything really.

I still think a minimum of once a year is essential. (maybe I'm insecure?)

KMc have you been asked to be on councils books?

I was asked to keep places open for them to use

They pay a retainer then i they use you they then pay ormal fees?

I didn't want to do it but sounds a good idea

I am not sure if you have to wait until you have minded for several years

Perhaps ask about it

Am sure you will have got the right standard grading thingy

I was under the impression that if you had an excellent inspection they were going to extend the time

That way they could concentrate on the ones that were not very good

I got the top rating so therefore would have a longer time before the next one

I personally think that is the right way for the inspectors to work
If they are worried about a childminder or nursery they should have the time to make repeated inspections

I only work part time and also for 8 months a year and have had top ratings each inspection so it isn't worth them keep coming back here really is it?

Rather than someone they had given a rating lower or that a parent had raised some concern over.

Which would you think was better to spend their time on?

Absolutely Looneylaura - that's why so many childminders want to be network Childminders.

But if you live in the wrong area - you just can't be one. It's funded by Surestart and they are in 'deprived' areas.

I agree about the lack of checks - it's wicked not to inspect childminders at least once a year.

Thanks KatieMac

I think the Gov would be crazy to extend the times bewteen checkups. Afterall, we are talking about the safetey of young vunerable children.

I think I would be put off using a childminder if she hadnt been checked in a while.

Thanks for your advice, Uwila. I'll CAT you next time I'm taking on a new mindee re the contract - if that's okay!

I agree with kangamummy, sometimes parents don't give any notice but they'd expect a lot of notice in return. I think the problem someone in my position has thAT CHILDMINDS PART-TIME IS THAT THE PARENTS DON'T SEE IT AS a real job (even if they work part-time too).They forget you have a family and work commitments too.

BTW sorry for the above capitals!!!The capslock was on!!!

What time do they have parent's evenings? 2pm sounds very early. DS still at nursery but when I was at school I'm sure they were at about 6.30 pm at the very latest.

She decides to change shifts rather than where she works

This is because it is more convienent for her to work mornings

I knew that she worked shifts and they are worked out months in advance but then she tells me that she has changed a late shift to an early one with one of her friends.

Like I said 99.999999% of the time it doesn't make any difference to me but sometimes it does.

I wanted just to make the point that it is not just childinders who want to change things at short notice.

BTW I would not be able to take mindee to parents evening as children are not allowed to go. Also would not have been able to concentrate if was distracted by mindee.

Also if more notice had been given by Scotsbird's CM would it have made it alot easier? Would you or DH been able to change work etc.?