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Paid childcare

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

What do you think about this childminder?

67 replies

itneverrains · 01/11/2008 19:24

What would you think if you went to a childminder's house and a) it was dirty (I don't just mean untidy/a bit unclean - i mean smelly and dirty) b)family members were smoking in the same room as monded children C) the children seemed to be given very little stimulus.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
itneverrains · 01/11/2008 20:21

My thoughts exactly.

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AbbaFan · 01/11/2008 20:15

Well im not sure she is actually breaking any ofsted rules.

I would imagine the parents can work out she smokes, has a dirty house and doesn't do much with the children. If their are happy with that, what can you do.

itneverrains · 01/11/2008 20:11

I don't know. Prehaps they know or/and smoke themselves.

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AbbaFan · 01/11/2008 20:10

The parents must be able to smell the smoke on the children's clothes.

I wouldn't use a CM that did any of A,B and C BTW.

itneverrains · 01/11/2008 20:02

Yes, she is registered. No, I mean over 1 under 2.

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SammyK · 01/11/2008 20:00

Is this childminder registered?

When you say 'babies', is there more than one under 1yr old there at once?

Wouldn't use, would definately report.

itneverrains · 01/11/2008 19:52

Out of interest, would anyone be happy with this situation if they liked/trusted the CM?

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itneverrains · 01/11/2008 19:51

Thanks cupofteaplease. It has been playing on my mind but for the reasons stated, I'm not going to report it - it is compliacted. I just wanted other people's view.

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Cupofteaplease · 01/11/2008 19:48

I understand. However, whether I wanted to use her or even if she is just a family memeber/friend, I would have to report her to Ofsted I'm afraid, as I doubt you would be able to alert the parents of the children in her care, as you prob don't know them. I would want to know about the smoking issue, and I'm a smoker! Smoking indoors when you have children is a HUGE no no! The parents will no doubt be aware of the dirt/mess when they drop off and pick up, so that's up to them to comment on with the CM, but I doubt very much they would know about or be happy with the smoking. What a rotten situation.

itneverrains · 01/11/2008 19:45

I have no intention of reporting her to Ofsted, a) I have no faith in Ofsted b) The children's parents must see the dirt c)It could put me a in a difficult position.

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nannynick · 01/11/2008 19:44

"the CM is very busy" - clearly her clients don't mind the situation.

itneverrains · 01/11/2008 19:38

I do not want to 'say' to much for fear of being recognised in RL. I will say that it is no through me wanting to use her.

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itneverrains · 01/11/2008 19:37

Lucy

The thing is that the CM is very busy and the parents MUST see that the house is dirty. I don't know about the smoking.

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Cupofteaplease · 01/11/2008 19:36

How do you know this CM? That might help me form a better opinion of what I would do if I found a, disgraceful, childminder such as this.

itneverrains · 01/11/2008 19:36

Thanks nannynick. I'm not a cleaning queen by anymeans but the house looks and smells unclean, the floor was filthy and there were babies crawling on it! I thought that childminders are not allowed to smoke in the same room as the children?

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LucyTownsend · 01/11/2008 19:34

Report them to Ofsted immediately, it is illegal to smoke around minded children and also a dirty house is a risk to the children.

I would never leave my child anywhere like that, and as a childminder it fills me with rage to know that someone treats children like that.

If you need Ofsteds complaint number then just say and Ill post it up once I find it!

nannynick · 01/11/2008 19:31

Due to B , I wouldn't use them... but I'm sure there are other people would would.
Point A is hard to qualify, as people have differing views on level of dirt/smell.
B is easier, either the house is smoking or non-smoking.
C is also a little tricky, as people will have varying views on how much interaction/stimulus there should be.