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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To Tell School About Childminder?

44 replies

NCForNosies · 08/10/2021 11:24

I've been in a desperate predicament, DC just started school in September and I knew I was going back to the office in October. In September asked about getting a place at the before and after school club on a couple of days but they are full so can't accommodate after school.

I looked for a childminder for the school pick ups which would cover DH coming home less than an hour later. No one seems to do DC's school, so I looked for a nanny for wrap around but there's no one qualified.

I then asked the school and they have me someone's details but said they can't say it's a recommendation as they don't know but they know they are Ofsted registered and qualified. They said this person picked up from my child's year too. They were so helpful and I'm extremely appreciative, even now.

Here's the AIBU - I looked them up and they are inadequate according to Ofsted. Not just a little bit but, I read the report and it's damning. They lost a child a couple of months ago whilst out which triggered an unannounced visit, they discovered that they don't pay attention to the children, some of the toys are dirty and their assistant only watches the kids as they are not qualified. I kid you not, there was not a single redeeming factor for this childminder, it made me feel so uneasy.

The school may or may not be aware but should this be brought to their attention? I doubt there's anything they can do about people using them and they did say it wasn't a recommendation but I don't think this person's name should be given out, even if it's information I could easily get myself.

Again, they were lovely and it won't be me complaining, just a heads up about the childminder for anyone else who asks. I get anyone else should do their research but what if they don't?

OP posts:

XelaM · 08/10/2021 11:28

Yes definitely tell them

danni0509 · 08/10/2021 11:30

Yes deffo tell them, how will they know unless they are alerted.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 08/10/2021 11:30

No it's nothing to do with the school. Would you tell them about a local preschool or another school? The reports are out there for everyone to read and they told you it wasn't a recommendation, just information. She will be reinspected within 6 months to ensure she's made changes and improved and I find reports always read worse than they actually are.

You've chosen not to use her, that's enough.

WorraLiberty · 08/10/2021 11:36

The school probably know as they'll have checked the register in order to tell you they're registered with Ofsted.

If the childminder is still allowed to practice, I doubt they'd want to get involved any further.

RedHelenB · 08/10/2021 11:44

For me, a childminder is just that. Someone to mind my child for a couple of hours and that's that. Not bothered at school age how much interaction there was. So you getting the school to not give me their numerous be detrimental to me. As others say, I can look up Ofsted myself.

User5827372728 · 08/10/2021 11:46

@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat

Because the school are recommending it!!!!! That’s why!

Defo tell them

User5827372728 · 08/10/2021 11:46

@RedHelenB

They didn’t mind the kid they lost the kid and are getting someone else the mind them

WorraLiberty · 08/10/2021 11:47

[quote User5827372728]@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat

Because the school are recommending it!!!!! That’s why!

Defo tell them[/quote]
No they're not.

The OP has literally stated this.

badg3r · 08/10/2021 11:50

I would ask the school again if they have any other recommendations and tell them why you are not following up the first one they gave you.

badg3r · 08/10/2021 11:51

I mean, I know they said specifically that they are not recommending them but in their position I would want to know if they were very inadequate because this would probably mean that they don't mention the name of this childminder again to other parents.

Silverdorkinghen · 08/10/2021 11:52

I would definitely feel most comfortable telling them thanks for mention xxx. Having looked at their last ofsted won’t be using them because of the concerns ofsted found.

That’s factual and they can check the report themselves then if they didn’t know. Although the way you mention they said it wasn’t a recommendation makes me wonder if they do have any idea. You’ll never know that. You can definitely factually say you won’t use them and why and it flags it up to the school then if they didn’t know and the can then chose how they respond to that knowledge.
Good luck getting a childminder sorted.

WorraLiberty · 08/10/2021 12:01

The thing is, schools have to remain impartial regarding local businesses.

Because of that, if a parent asks "Are there any local Ofsted registered childminders in the area?"

The school aren't going to lie and say "No", because that's not being impartial.

The best they can do is exactly what they've done - give the details and make it clear it's not a recommendation.

The rest is up to the parent to check out, just as the OP has done.

lanthanum · 08/10/2021 12:01

You asked the school if they knew of anybody, and they did, so they could hardly say "no". I think they might be on very dodgy ground to say "but we wouldn't recommend her", and I think their emphasis that this was not a recommendation was to try and ensure that you checked out the report for yourself.

It's also possible that someone desperate enough for childcare, perhaps with an older child and only needing an hour or so, would settle for this childminder as a temporary measure rather than lose their job.

3totheright4totheleft · 08/10/2021 12:06

Not wanting to be annoying but would you not have tried to get this sorted well before the start of the school year?

Thatsplentyjack · 08/10/2021 12:09

[quote User5827372728]@GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat

Because the school are recommending it!!!!! That’s why!

Defo tell them[/quote]
Literally says in the OP the school said they were not giving a recommendation.

nokidshere · 08/10/2021 12:23

As a childminder I am often asked about other childminders available. I always say that I don't have any recommendations but know that 'such&such' is registered so maybe give them a call.

The school were not recommending anyone they were simply giving facts that they know someone who is registered. It's up to the parents to do their due diligence.

godmum56 · 08/10/2021 12:26

yes difficult....if you asked about ofstead child minders, then they have given you an answer but if I were the school, I would either be keeping a list of as many as possible or saying that they don't keep a list but the info can be found wherever the info can be found. This because only giving one name even though they are saying its not a recommendation, can be interpreted as one.

User5827372728 · 08/10/2021 12:27

@Thatsplentyjack

Whether or no it’s a formal
Recommendation they gave OP the name of the childminder

WorraLiberty · 08/10/2021 12:35

[quote User5827372728]@Thatsplentyjack

Whether or no it’s a formal
Recommendation they gave OP the name of the childminder[/quote]
Yes, because that's the question they were asked.

It was not a recommendation of any kind, either formal or informal and they made that perfectly clear to the OP.

Thatsplentyjack · 08/10/2021 12:42

[quote User5827372728]@Thatsplentyjack

Whether or no it’s a formal
Recommendation they gave OP the name of the childminder[/quote]
That's not recommending the business, its just giving the OP the information she asked for.

Sally872 · 08/10/2021 12:43

The school specifically said "not a recommendation" and it seems the relevant information is easily available. I expect most if not all parents would check this so I wouldn't bother.

I think the school may know which is why they stated "not a recommendation"

Thatsplentyjack · 08/10/2021 12:43

If someone asked me if there was a restaurant in our town, I could give the names of 3, doesn't mean I'm recommending them.

RainbowCrossing · 08/10/2021 12:45

@WorraLiberty

The thing is, schools have to remain impartial regarding local businesses.

Because of that, if a parent asks "Are there any local Ofsted registered childminders in the area?"

The school aren't going to lie and say "No", because that's not being impartial.

The best they can do is exactly what they've done - give the details and make it clear it's not a recommendation.

The rest is up to the parent to check out, just as the OP has done.

That's not the best they can do is it? Giving someone the name of an inadequate provider isn't neutral whether or not they say it's 'not a recommendation'

If I were the school I would be grateful for OP flagging this up to me and in future either say, 'yes there is XY or Z', omitting the one in the OP or, 'sorry we don't have that information.'

They're not the Yellow Pages, duty bound to give out information.

Most schools care deeply about their students and would be horrified to have given out info about an inadequate childcare provider.

RainbowCrossing · 08/10/2021 12:48

@Thatsplentyjack

If someone asked me if there was a restaurant in our town, I could give the names of 3, doesn't mean I'm recommending them.

Would you give them the name of the one that gave you salmonella?

However it is qualified some parents will take this as a recommendation ('the school must know that they are ok') and some won't check Ofsted.

The reluctance of some posters to do even the tiniest thing to further children's welfare really does confuse me

WorraLiberty · 08/10/2021 12:48

That's not the best they can do is it? Giving someone the name of an inadequate provider isn't neutral whether or not they say it's 'not a recommendation'

Yes it is, that's exactly what it is.

Plus, the school can't be expected to permanently keep checking the Ofsted register and reading through the reports on there - and then checking again 6 months later to see if they've improved.

They were asked for factual information and that's what they gave.

The rest (as always) is up to the parents to check out.

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