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Original poster

Childminding chaos

19 replies

Highfivemum · 29/04/2023 13:07

Hello.
my DB not on MN lives in a large house on a country lane. His next door neighbour has started childminding. Not a problem at first but now she has three other mums operating from her address too. So has up to thirty DC on some days. The houses are large and have large garden etc but it is driving my DB crazy. The comings and going’s / the constant garden noise. Etc. she has two outbuildings she uses outside too. He works shifts. So cannot sleep at all during the day.
what is the rule. ? He isn’t bothered by kids playing but this is so bad he is knackered by it all.
she doesn’t have a neighbour the other side so my DB is the one affected. Being a chap by himself and her being a single mum he is reluctant to approach her. Any advice I can pass on please.

OP posts:
alyceflowers · 29/04/2023 13:12

This isn't childminding, it's 'childcare on domestic premises', essentially a home-based nursery, and she will have had to get planning permission.

YouJustDoYou · 29/04/2023 13:14

How old are the kids? Those adult to kid ratios won't be right if they're too young...

Original poster
Highfivemum · 29/04/2023 13:15

alyceflowers · 29/04/2023 13:12

This isn't childminding, it's 'childcare on domestic premises', essentially a home-based nursery, and she will have had to get planning permission.

Thanks for replying. So when does childminding become childcare ? Is it on a child number etc. ? No planning has ever been submitted.

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Aylestone · 29/04/2023 13:16

We can’t really advise without knowing exactly what she’s doing and what she’s licensed for. I think the first step would be for him to collect whatever evidence he has with regards to numbers of adults/children and contact the council.

Original poster
Highfivemum · 29/04/2023 13:16

YouJustDoYou · 29/04/2023 13:14

How old are the kids? Those adult to kid ratios won't be right if they're too young...

He hasn’t counted the children obviously but he estimates around 30ish .They are older children .primary age

OP posts:
SwankyPants · 29/04/2023 13:17

He could ring Ofsted to check.

Aylestone · 29/04/2023 13:18

alyceflowers · 29/04/2023 13:12

This isn't childminding, it's 'childcare on domestic premises', essentially a home-based nursery, and she will have had to get planning permission.

Planning permission for what? I’m not sure if you’ve got that right, she’s not building anything. Depending on what she’s doing she may have needed council permission to register her house as a business which she may not have done

alyceflowers · 29/04/2023 13:19

Highfivemum · 29/04/2023 13:15

Thanks for replying. So when does childminding become childcare ? Is it on a child number etc. ? No planning has ever been submitted.

Show quote history

Childminding can be up to 3 adults. Once there are 4 that is childcare on domestic.
Councils often require planning permission for over a certain number of children eg 8.

If I was him I'd call the council to discuss.

Original poster
Highfivemum · 29/04/2023 13:19

Aylestone · 29/04/2023 13:16

We can’t really advise without knowing exactly what she’s doing and what she’s licensed for. I think the first step would be for him to collect whatever evidence he has with regards to numbers of adults/children and contact the council.

From what he says. Kids are dropped off before school. Then they do school /nursery runs then they qre collect at lunch or after school till around 6 ish. In holidays and strikes they are all at house / garden all day.

OP posts:
Original poster
Highfivemum · 29/04/2023 13:20

alyceflowers · 29/04/2023 13:19

Childminding can be up to 3 adults. Once there are 4 that is childcare on domestic.
Councils often require planning permission for over a certain number of children eg 8.

If I was him I'd call the council to discuss.

Show quote history

Thank you.
sorry to ask again what department of the council ? Planning or children services ?

OP posts:
alyceflowers · 29/04/2023 13:21

Aylestone · 29/04/2023 13:18

Planning permission for what? I’m not sure if you’ve got that right, she’s not building anything. Depending on what she’s doing she may have needed council permission to register her house as a business which she may not have done

Show quote history

Have a look here (or your local LA) https://hubforeducation.swindon.gov.uk/Page/21975

Planning Permission
Planning permission may be required if you look after more than 6 children at any one time. Further information about planning permission can be found at;

Childminders information for Registered Childminders | Swindon hub for Education

Childminder download page

https://hubforeducation.swindon.gov.uk/Page/21975

Original poster
Highfivemum · 29/04/2023 13:22

SwankyPants · 29/04/2023 13:17

He could ring Ofsted to check.

Thank you

OP posts:
Aylestone · 29/04/2023 13:25

alyceflowers · 29/04/2023 13:21

Have a look here (or your local LA) https://hubforeducation.swindon.gov.uk/Page/21975

Planning Permission
Planning permission may be required if you look after more than 6 children at any one time. Further information about planning permission can be found at;

Show quote history

Ok so according to that she only needs planning permission if she needs to carry out certain changes to the building, so maybe not necessarily. But also going by that there’s a good chance the building isn’t actually up to regulations if there’s that many children there. It definitely sounds dodgy.

Blondeshavemorefun · 29/04/2023 13:31

Ring ofsted to check if registered

NaughtPoppy · 29/04/2023 13:41

Aylestone · 29/04/2023 13:25

Ok so according to that she only needs planning permission if she needs to carry out certain changes to the building, so maybe not necessarily. But also going by that there’s a good chance the building isn’t actually up to regulations if there’s that many children there. It definitely sounds dodgy.

Show quote history

That planning link says

  • Will my business operate independently from the rest of my property?
  • Will there be frequent visitors to my property, including deliveries and/or customers?
  • Am I going to need to employ staff to operate the business?
  • Is my business going to be noisy or cause disturbance to my neighbours?
  • If my business is successful, will I want it to expand and grow?
If you answer ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions, it is possible that your business will require planning permission.

So on that criteria she would possibly need it even if she hasn’t changed any buildings.

drpet49 · 29/04/2023 13:42

alyceflowers · 29/04/2023 13:12

This isn't childminding, it's 'childcare on domestic premises', essentially a home-based nursery, and she will have had to get planning permission.

This. Report to the local council

HarrietSchulenberg · 29/04/2023 13:43

You can check if Ofsted registered using the postcode. It's on their website here:
reports.ofsted.gov.uk/

Original poster
Highfivemum · 29/04/2023 17:43

Thank you I will pass the messages to my DB. As I say he doesn’t mind kids playing but when there are so many screaming it is awful for him.

OP posts:
Original poster
Highfivemum · 23/05/2023 20:26

hello all.
hoping to re start this thread for more help.
my DB did a search and childminder is registered for less children at a previous address.
he contacted ofsted who said they will look into it. Can a child minder move houses without a new visit ? Will they say my DB called them. He doesn’t want any trouble just a quiet life.
they also did say they look into safeguarding children and not planning permissions etc.
Does he now have to contact planning ? If so who in planning as it isn’t a normal planning application .
first for all this and he is at a loss what to do and sleep deprived.
thank you.

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