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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Childminder

117 replies

KJE2017 · 02/04/2018 01:19

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 Hmm

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.

OP posts:
Graphista · 02/04/2018 03:18

She should have given you the URN on the contract. If she hasn't put it on the contract that's suss.

KJE2017 · 02/04/2018 03:20

I'll have a look at the contract

OP posts:
Spanneroo · 02/04/2018 03:20

KJ you don't need the URN, just the name. It'll search and you can select her from the results.

puglife15 · 02/04/2018 03:20

No way.

Everything about the whole situation sounds wrong to me.

Who the fuck would let a young baby sleep on a couch? That's a SIDS risk.

KJE2017 · 02/04/2018 03:23

I looked that the contract she hasn't filled any of her info out yet. I typed in her name and no results!!!!!!

OP posts:
KJE2017 · 02/04/2018 03:24

I knew I wasn't just being paranoid! Angry

OP posts:
KJE2017 · 02/04/2018 03:30

Saying that... I've typed in quite a few childminders and no reports are showing Hmm

OP posts:
emmyrose2000 · 02/04/2018 03:34

I wouldn't let a smoker look after my child/ren under any circumstances whatsoever. Anything else would be irrelevant in comparison to that.

Graphista · 02/04/2018 03:35

A lot claim to be registered and aren't. Very easy to do unfortunately

KJE2017 · 02/04/2018 03:37

Well I'm going to see a different childminder and ask her on the spot to let me see her report and all other documents

OP posts:
KJE2017 · 02/04/2018 03:37

Are they registered if they're on the council website?

OP posts:
Graphista · 02/04/2018 03:40

Depends on the council - some are more circumspect than others.

Lukeandlorelai4Ever · 02/04/2018 03:46

I think trust your instinct. Very odd to have a baby sleeping on the couch. Even a travel cot would have done.

KJE2017 · 02/04/2018 03:54

Definitely looking for another childminder don't worry Grin

OP posts:
Graphista · 02/04/2018 04:03

This kind of thing I always think personal recommendations are best, a recommendation from someone you know and trust worth its weight in gold.

LadyB49 · 02/04/2018 04:07

No way, too cheap. Too many things not quite up to scratch.
You're already nervous and rightly so.

CircleSquareCircleSquare · 02/04/2018 05:00

This has made me shudder OP.

The sofa sleeping alone would have me running a thousand miles.

I hope you find someone registered and reliable. Do you go to any mum and baby groups? Maybe ask if anyone has any recommendations there.

QueenofmyPrinces · 02/04/2018 06:46

When I went back to work after DS1 we used a childminder because w needed childcare from 7am and no nursery provides that. I met up with 7 childminders in total and upon meeting the 7th I knew within minutes that I would be happy to leave my baby with her. The six childminders I had met before her had been perfectly nice but something in my gut had just told me that I didn’t want them looking after my child.

You are doing the right thing looking for another because you need to be 100% happy with the person you leave your baby with which you obviously weren’t.

The whole £60 a week fiasco is ludicrous as most childminders charge £4-5 an hour where I live so her pricing would only cover a maximum of 12 hours a week.

Good luck with your search and I hope you find someone much more suitable!!

insancerre · 02/04/2018 07:09

Do you know her postcode?
You can search for providers by postcode
reports.ofsted.gov.uk

MrsJonesAndMe · 02/04/2018 07:12

No, just no - no chance of me sending my child there! (I am a CM)

MrsJonesAndMe · 02/04/2018 07:14

If you'd like a copy of their report, please ask them to have it ready - I don't give mine as standard, but happy to email out or give parents the details to find it. Just because there's a lot of paperwork involved and 90% of meetings does not go on to paid work.

Bettyfood · 02/04/2018 07:19

I didn't choose one because she clearly lied about smoking in the house. The living room stank of it. I'd also be concerned about the child napping on the sofa. There should be cots/beds.

BellyBean · 02/04/2018 08:12

Ye she put her postcode into the Ofsted website. Don't do anything til you've read her report. IME if the report isn't s huge issue she'd do in a pinch but you need someone else for a permanent solution.

Eastie77 · 02/04/2018 08:16

Surely the £60 p/w charge should have been the biggest red flag here OP. I mean the smoking, 'mislaid' paperwork and sleeping arrangements are obviously no-no's but a CM available from 5.30am and effectively working for a couple of pounds an hour?

When we were looking for childcare for DD a few years back we met with a CM who charged £30 a day and I immediately thought 'no' as common sense told me something was amiss if she was working for so little (childminders generally charge £60 plus a day where we live). She was a lovely woman but it turned out she was living here illegally.

SaturdaySauv · 02/04/2018 08:16

Very dangerous and irresponsible to have babies or toddlers sleeping on a sofa. I doubt she’s still ofsted registered as there’s no way that would constitute an adequate provision for nap times.

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