To tell the childminder to stick it!

[Eljkr]

Possibly outing myself but I need some opinions

Trying to cut a long story short..

So I visited a childminder is June, liked her and told her I wanted to put my children with her but I wasn't due to return to work until September so when I knew the arrangement I would get in contact.

I got a new job and contacted her beginning sept and let her know what I needed, they were due to start 2nd week on sept. Next thing I know I have a email to say she has a holiday booked and cannot start them until a few weeks later. Not a problems I just told work I could start that week instead.

Then a few days before they were due to start I get an email to say the staff she has taken on have had troubles with their Ofsted so would have to postpone the children starting until October, I gave her the benefit of the doubt and organised for MIL and DM to have the kids.

I have since tried to contact 3 times to confirm their start date and their settling in sessions.

Yesterday I get yet another email to say that her own kids are ill so no settling in sessions until they are better and now she can't start the boys in mid October due to more issues with Ofsted but can come to my house to look after them with another family she was due to minds kids until the issue is sorted

Do I give her the benefit of the doubt as its Ofsted pushing her back, or am I being had?

[PinkPetal38]

She's not being very professional about it at all, and I would look elsewhere as this pushing back could take a while and cause you even more problems.

But it is likely that the Ofsted delays are around the assistant is having trouble with their own registration/DBS check. You get told it will take an approximate time by Ofsted but it can drag on and on, which obviously impacts on any children a childminder has agreed to take on based on having that assistant.

If her children are sick then you can't do settling in sessions unfortunately. She has offered to mind in your own home with another family (as a nanny) as that doesn't require an Ofsted registration, and number of children are therefore more lenient, and her assistant could come too perhaps.

But, as I said, she's not communicating with you in a professional manner and I would draw a line and find someone else who has the space you require.

[enjoyingscience]

Noooo. That's super, super dodgy.

[Sara107]

She's unreliable, she didn't honour the agreement you had. No reason to trust that things will get better. Look for someone else, or find a nursery - at least then your childcare doesn't get cancelled because somebody else's kids are sick.

[DonkeyOaty]

Dig around the Ofsted website, I'll bet you'll be able to find her reports which will be decent pointers.

And yes, run. You need reliable care which she patently cannot offer.

[Eljkr]

Yes the issues are with the assistant starting and others moving into her home, probably didn't need to ask but I didn't want to seem totally inreasonable to look else where and tell her I'm not interested!


I will definitely be running for the hills!!

[Willow2016]

Nope she cannot child mind in your house, and especially not bring other kids there too!

What is she thinking?

It can take a while for paperwork to all go through but she should have been up front with you from the start and certainly not booked holidays the week you were due to start. She should have kept you up to date on whats happening and given you the option to look elsewhere.

It could all be very innocent except for the coming to your house part. Why on earth cant she mind in her own house if she has another family as well? Somethings not right that she cant do it in her own house and she should be honest with you about it. She doesnt need an assistant just for you and the other familys kids if she can look after them ok at your house.

You can look her up online and get her latest inspection report and see if there are any issues.