Childminder

[KJE2017]

AIBU to choose a different childminder - I have not handed over the contract that she gave me to sign.

About a month ago me and my DH went to visit a childminder at her home to see if she would be suitable for our DD. First of all DD took to her straight away (she was 5 month at the time). The childminder seemed really nice, down to earth and does anything to help parents out.

Here's my reasons for making me want to reconsider; her back garden has been ruined by her dog, she has a driveway which she says she lets the children play on and she supervises them - she's lives on a housing estate. However she said that she takes the children to the park often so they can play. I asked her where my child could nap, she said she lets them nap on the couch with cushions on the floor; she said she's never had any child fall from the couch. She is a smoker but said she does not smoke around the children, she said she just wouldn't do it and it is also illegal. (When she came round my house to bring me the contract the paper, in my opinion smelt like smoke) her house didn't smell of smoke, so maybe she had a cigarette after she finished childminding but before she came to my house?? She was honest about her OFSTED report, she said she got a 'needs improvement' as she could not find some paperwork but she is adamant she has that paperwork somewhere in the house. There was one child (13 yo I think)who she childminds at the house waiting to get picked up when we were there discussing things with the childminder. When the child's parents arrived (waited in the car) the child ran straight out of the house without saying bye to the childminder. Was this because she was shy around me and DH or does she dislike the childminder?? The childminders daughter was there, she seemed very nice also.

Good points are the childminder offered to bring our DD back home at 6pm each time she childminds as DH drives a van for work and can not have a car seat in the van. She said she would provide nappies, wipes etc - we would not expect her to do so, we would take our own. She would charge us £60pw this includes meals and snacks - that's the cheapest by far, however money is not a issue when it comes to my DD's well-being. She was the only childminder we found who started early enough for us, I start work at 7ma so need childcare from 6:30am, not many childminders work that early. The childminder does seem like a nice person and easy to get along with. She said she would send me photos of my DD on WhatsApp. The 13yo who she childminds has apparently been childminded since she was 6 months old by this childminder. She gave me reviews to read I read through them, they were good - I'm being paranoid about them thinking that she got somebody to write them for her. I don't know why

AIBU to be abit weary or am I just looking into little things too much? She is kind of our only option for childcare as there are no nursery's that are open at 6:30am & family can not help with childcare. I am feeling nervous and uneasy and need your honest opinions. I will not put my DD in danger I'm just not sure if I'm being too paranoid. I've never had to deal with childminders before as DD is our first child.

Was that £60 PW or per day? The thing that would bother me was the sleeping on the couch. My children go to a cm and my lg sleeps in a cot for her naps. I know in ni cm have to provide a cot for babies/ toddlers to sleep in. I'm not sure about England. The smoking would not bother me if she's not doing it around the children as in they did not see her smoking. What does she do with the dog? Is it kept outside? As long as she's watching the children playing outside I would be fine with that. Does she mind any younger children than the 13 year old? Not many 13 year olds still need a cm maybe the parents are just over protective. If your worrying now I would go with your gut feeling.

£60 per week, I think the dog comes in the house but she said it is friendly and will never be left unattended with children. She had other children she watches, 2, 2 year olds and some others that go to school.

Can you try a week probation period op?before signing anything?have you been able to check her out on any social media sights?
I always say follow your gut instinct,however it is possible that you are,very naturally,extremely worried about handing over your dc to a ,in less than perfect place?
It is very hard when your choice is so limited,have you asked nurseries if they start at 0630hrs?I know some do.
I hope you find the placement ideal for you soon op,

Sites

Hi Karma childminder said she would take DD a few times to let DD get used to being around her. All the nursery's around my way start at 7:30-8am I'm hoping I'm just being too paranoid! I feel like I could cry I feel nervous

How many hours a week. If its more than 12 then 60 poumd a week is well dodgy.

£60 per week?! That’s ludicrously cheap, especially with a 6.30am start. Are you sure you’ve got that right?

the childminder offered to bring our DD back home at 6pm each time she childminds

So is she bundling all her minded children into the car to bring your child home at 6pm? What if another parent calls to pick up and holds her back? Or if another parent doesn’t turn up leaving her with too many children to fit in the car? AND if she’s doing that for you, how many other children is she dropping off? How long is your baby spending strapped into a car seat with doors opening and closing and being left in the car whilst the childminder does the handover?

I’ve just realised you said 6pm. If you want her to have your daughter for 12 hours a day then I think that £60 is £60 a day.

£60 a week for almost 60 hours of childcare plus her fuel dropping her off, plus snacks, plus she was offering it provide Nappies and wipes? No way. No-one would do that.

Yes it will be £60 a day. Works out at just over £5/hour.

Between 20-30 hours per week - is is ofsted registered. She said she normally charges £30 per day but said she would only charge us £20 per day as some days we only need childcare for 4 hours.

That's a good question about the drop off, I will ask her them questions and see what she says.

No sorry I have not written that clearly, some days I will need child care from 6:30am until 3:30pm then other days I need childcare from 1:30pm-5:30-6pm. Sorry

Even so, I have 30 hours of childcare at a nursery and for 1 child it costs me £132 a week. No nappies etc. That just doesn’t seem doable and that would concern me that she needs to charge that little to get people in. Most childminders offering such an early start and a late finish round charge a premium for that service.

Ah ok. I thought it was full days.

Tbh from what you say I would just find someone else.

Ex childminder here - wouldn't touch her with a barge pole!

Way way too cheap AND she gave you effectively a "discount" she sounds desperate. - huge red flag.

Ofsted report - have you actually SEEN the paperwork issue given as the reason for "needs improvement"? I'm highly sceptical, paperwork is not a major issue. I think it's likely there's other issues.

Have you spoken with any of her other current clients?

The smoking and dog and lack of proper sleep equipment for naps would put me off too.

I think it's likely she's hanging onto her registration by the skin of her teeth.

OP,
Trust your instinct .

I wouldn't, the dog, smoking and couch sleeping are huge red flags to me!
I went to work when my LO was 6 months, and we all love his nursery, but I wouldn't have been able to go back if I even had the slightest flicker of unease

I haven't seen her report. I was going to ask her to show it to me so I could read through it. I haven't spoken to other clients but like I said in my post I read some. Another childminder I was interested in said she wouldn't start at 6:30am and she actually recommended me the childminder I'm currently in contact with. The childminder I'm talking with, her working times are 5:30am-7pm so she hasn't extended her hours for me or anything

Pay a decent amount for decent childcare.

I wouldn't trust her to give you the report, you can look it up yourself

www.gov.uk/find-ofsted-inspection-report

In addition she could easily have written the reviews herself.

Being available such long hours REALLY smacks of desperation, as does charging WAY under nmw.

Aside from everything else she's a crap business woman!

I'm going to get in touch with another childminder. I feel sick!

Fuck no.

Naps on couches, smokes, dog destroyed backyard!!? Good god no.

kj did you look up her report?

I don't know the URN