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Original poster

Childminder not ofsted registered - is this a big problem?

66 replies

Toots · 21/09/2008 20:17

Have seen lovely woman with clean bright, secure home to collect DD2 from preschool and DD1 after school 3 days. DD2 didn't want to leave her house when we visited. Both DDs DH and I are going back for another visit tomorrow when the other mindees will be there too. I've talked to the two mothers of her other mindees. Professional women who both recommended the CM unreservedly and had had their children with her for several years.

The CM was previously a registered nanny prior to having her now teenage children. She has neither re-registered nor registered with Ofsted since then. She has answered all my questions and laid out her terms very clearly but doesn't have a set contract - I'm sure she wouldn't mind if we worked one out, though. My husband would be comfortable if she and her household had CRB checks which she is open to. Is there anything I'm not seeing here that is wrong with this arrangement/ set up? She has brilliant references and I get a great feel from her.

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Original poster
Toots · 21/09/2008 21:18

Wouldn't I then have to pay the tax it's quite possible she's not paying at the moment

OP posts:
ingles2 · 21/09/2008 21:18

I am a self employed freelancer and have public liability insurance, so you can get it as an individual

Twiglett · 21/09/2008 21:16

yes there are hoops
yes there is paperwork
could take anywhere from 6 months up to actually register (based on the inefficiency of Ofsted and councils)
would take me over 3 months to re-register (I phoned to find out with the aim of possibly helping out a friend)

FabioHungoverNoShoutingPlease · 21/09/2008 21:16

can you employ her as a nanny?
I dont' think all the paper work etc applies to nannies.

Twiglett · 21/09/2008 21:15

but it IS illegal ... and unfortunately loads of good childminders have left since the over-regulation came in. I find much / most of it counter-productive but agree that there is a duty to ensure the crappy cms are out of the mix and there is probably no other way

oh well .. you used to be able to find someone you liked and trusted who would take your child into their own home and treat them like one of theirs with love. Now, not so much

KatyMac · 21/09/2008 21:14

Probably the car ins - but not the public liability

Original poster
Toots · 21/09/2008 21:13

OK, so can an individual have public liability insurance?

Can you get business use as a childminder on car insurance without quoting an Ofsted registration number?

OP posts:
Twiglett · 21/09/2008 21:12

"If she is so fab why isn't she registered?"

ummm should I bother to answer this one .. bureaucracy? crappy paperwork? dull, ineffective stupid inspectors? etc

KatyMac · 21/09/2008 21:10

I was apologising for being so strident and blunt in my explanation

No-one likes to think about little ones being hurt but that is the reason we are registered

Insurance
First Aid
Best Practice
Risk Assessments
Food Hygiene

These are in place to protect the children

Plus not paying tax annoys me - it's stealing

Original poster
Toots · 21/09/2008 21:10

Ah gwan then BoysAreLikeDogs and everyone else.

How easy is it to register and be a registered minder? Are there time consuming hoops on an ongoing basis?

What do you think this woman's reasons might be for not registering - just to avoid paying tax or something else?

OP posts:
fishie · 21/09/2008 21:09

toots i am not a cm, am parent. i love my cm dearly, she is fantastic and v professional. i'm sure you will find someone great for you too.

there is some very cheap childcare being advertised in our local paper. what a thing to economise on!

BoysAreLikeDogs · 21/09/2008 21:06

Any questions toots, ask away, any time.

Original poster
Toots · 21/09/2008 21:05

I will deffo speak to the parents giraffes.

OP posts:
Original poster
Toots · 21/09/2008 21:04

I hope you're not apologising to me Katymac. I needed that shake up and am grateful for it. I must go and try to wind down - heart banging away in throat.

Back tomorrow.

OP posts:
giraffescantdancethetango · 21/09/2008 21:02

The parents possibly dont know all the implications. When I was looking for work I constantly got emails from people wanting childminding from a nanny etc. I think you should let them know.

Original poster
Toots · 21/09/2008 21:00

This is galling actually. I know this is only one element of a whole list but might she be declaring income and paying tax? You have to say what your business is though, don't you - I'm self employed so I know that much.

OP posts:
KatyMac · 21/09/2008 20:57

I am sorry, but when un-registered care comes up we are all very 'pc' and don't actually say what the problem of no insurance really means

Original poster
Toots · 21/09/2008 20:56

Cheers BoysAreLikeDogs and KatyMac. I'm aware of the professionalism and ingles2, this is actually my 4th time finding a childminder and all three previous experiences have been great with professional wonderful people - all registered. Just wandered 'off-piste' when a CM who couldn't help passed on the details.

My previous post was to fishie btw.

OP posts:
ingles2 · 21/09/2008 20:55

LOL Katy

KatyMac · 21/09/2008 20:51
Original poster
Toots · 21/09/2008 20:51

I didn't. I think I will ask her. And I'll also ask the other parents if they're aware of the insurance situation as that is the most hideous wake up call. As for reporting... I'll mull that one over.

OP posts:
ingles2 · 21/09/2008 20:50

Don't feel like a twit Toots... if this is your 1st CM experience how are you supposed to know?
there are lots of lovely cm's on here who I'm sure can give you fab advice.

BoysAreLikeDogs · 21/09/2008 20:49

No toots you are so not a twit, you didn't know the reasons why unregistered care is a bad idea.

KatyMac · 21/09/2008 20:49

It's OK

We get a bit worked up because we work so hard at our profession

If another profession had amateurs like this they would be called cowboys

Good childminder have continuous Professional Development and put a lot of effort into being the best they can be

fishie · 21/09/2008 20:47

toots did you ask her why she hasn't registered? i think it is dreadful that she isn't, for all the reasons stated. would you consider reporting her?

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