to discuss this with my childminder?

[Seekingsense]

I received a letter in the post today saying that social services had received a referral regarding my 18mo dd.

I called them straight away and they said that they had received an anonymous report of an incident in the street regarding our childminder.

The alleged incedent involves my childminder screaming at another mindee (not dd) and slapping them across the face.

DD is happy to go to our childminder in the morning and is always happy when we pick her up. I've seen no evidence of bruising etc. Dd is happy, outgoing etc so I had no reason to suspect abuse of any kind prior to this.

We are moving very soon so DD was only due to be with our childminder until the end of next week however it would be very difficult, although not impossible, to arrange alternative childcare for next week. Childminder is already paid up to the end.

I'm concerned as I want to keep my DD safe, however I also have trusted our childminder for the past year and don't want to accuse her of something if this was a malicious call.

On the one hand, if I was seriously concerned about a child I would leave my details when I called ss however if I wanted to attack someone's livlihood, I could make an anonymous call. On the other hand, if there's even a tiny risk I'd always put DDs safety first and my childminders feelings second.

My gut reaction is to pick DD up early and discuss it with our childminder who may or may not know yet as SS have been calling all of the parents of children in her care. They are also investigating wrt our childminders own son.

What the hell do I do?

Well, you must have a good relationship with the CM to leave your child there. Call her, tell her about the ltter and see what she has to say.

I would have hoped that Ofsted/SS would temporarily stop her working with children until it was investigated although I know this is hard as mud sticks.

Personally, especially as it is such a short amount of time I would take her out of her care.

Sorry to drip feed.

The reason I'm not sure whether to discuss with CM is that SS suggested that it may be best if I didn't from a 'personal persective'.

She would have been told because it's regarding her. SS have a duty to tell you if an allegation has been made against you.

I don't get that comment from SS, OP.

Are they saying they're happy to tell you there has been a report of an incident, but they're not recommending you discuss it with your CM?

What exactly are they expecting you to do then?

Are you sure, Rainbows? In schools, you don't find out about any allegation until after the initial strategy meeting investigation.

I think you should discuss it with her.

Your CM will know you have all been written to, she would have to have given your details over - a central base of who uses what CM is not, to my knowledge, a requirement in this Big Brother society (but I'm prepared to be corrected!)

I would be round there asap to discuss! How could you not?

Given that you don't have concerns about your DD's care, and the childminder will be on her best behaviour while SS are investigating whether the allegation is true or not, I wouldn't move her.

Could you call them and ask what they advise? I know they said not to speak to her (which, as Rhonda said is ridiculous) but do they think that you should still send dd to her?

Anyone can make an allegation at any time - the SS are duty bound to investigate.

An acquaintance was investigated several times, pure spite by her ex or so she assumed. She wasn't a CM though. And any agency involved will notify schools and so forth.

The easiest way is to not send her to the CM for the next week and pretend your DD is ill. As the SS has advised you against discussing it with the CM then don't. I can't see what you'd gain from it. Presumably she'll deny the incident whether it happened or not so you'd be no wiser.

How did they get your name? Does the CM have to give details of other mindees or does SS get lists of who's minded by who?

If they thought your dd was in danger would they rely on snail mail to tell you? Honestly, can you imagine her out in public slapping a child? If so, I'd keep away otherwise discuss it with her and carry on sending her if you feel satisfied.