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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Childminder trust

49 replies

squareheadcut · 10/01/2008 22:00

i think the childminder does not trust me. i asked her for her registration number as need to give it to the working tax credit people and she said it was like giving me her pin number and made some excuses and never got back to me. also i had to give her a retainer fee of 60 pounds before she has done any childminding. i am leaving my kid with her starting mid jan, paying her money in advance - and she doesn't want to give me her registration number. surely it's me that should not trust her. what shall i do? can't back out as she has taken money - maybe she will turn out alright??? need advice please. aibu to be worried about whether this arrangement is going to work?

OP posts:
Hamishsmummy · 10/01/2008 22:07

YANBU. You NEED her reg number to be able to claim tax credits and she should know that. Where did you find her, was she recommended?

Staceym21AtLast · 10/01/2008 22:09

YANBU, i would possibly ask TC for a letter stating you need her number, in case she has never had dealings with them before and is unaware. then you could approach her with the letter.

hope you get it resolved!

catsmother · 10/01/2008 22:10

Did you get to hear of her from your local council, or, was she a word of mouth recommendation ?

I'd check with the council straight away to see if she is bona fide. Hopefully she is. It could be that she doesn't want her details going into "the system" because she doesn't plan to declare the earnings from your child and is concerned that the IR will put 2 & 2 together and she'll get into trouble. Not that that's right of course.

If you're going to place your child with anyone you need to trust, and to feel right about them in all respects. If I had any lingering doubts I would rather lose £60 (even if I couldn't afford it) and rearrange my childcare, than put my child with someone I didn't feel comfortable with.

There is no earthly reason why she shouldn't give her registration number to you. There is nothing untoward you can do with it (quite unlike a PIN number) unless, I suppose, you plan on impersonating her and pretending you're a childminder, which is obviously extremely far fetched.

shoshe · 10/01/2008 22:13

A lot of CM will not give out their reg numbers until you actually start with them (although as you have paid a retainer then technically you have as long as you have signed all their contract).

This is because a lot of people want the number, say they are using the CM, but dont BUT then use the number fraudulently to get WTC.

But she should have seen her Ofsted Certificate. It is one there and it is on her contracts.

If you haven't signed contracts she cannot take a retainer from you.

shoshe · 10/01/2008 22:15

I don not give my number out, UNTIL contracts are signed, and then Parents get a handbook with all relevant info in it so that, you can fill out all the forms.

Original poster
squareheadcut · 10/01/2008 22:17

i got her from the local council website. i'm sure she is bona fide. seeing her again tomorrow and see if i feel comfortable other wise i think i will look elsewhere i just don't like the way things seem to be an issue with her , especially when she hasn't even started yet.

OP posts:
Original poster
squareheadcut · 10/01/2008 22:18

first time i wm leaving the baby and i just don'#t need any issues you know what i mean?

OP posts:
Original poster
squareheadcut · 10/01/2008 22:19

i have signed something that looked like a contract but i don't think it the full contract yet as we agreed to give it a month and see how it goes

OP posts:
shoshe · 10/01/2008 22:21

was it a NCMA contract?

Original poster
squareheadcut · 10/01/2008 22:23

yes ncma

OP posts:
shoshe · 10/01/2008 22:23

if it was she should have put it on there under her name, if not she has not filled out the contract fully.

Most CM's take a child on with a months settling in, I do, but still give a complete contract.

Original poster
squareheadcut · 10/01/2008 22:25

it just worries me that she is kind of inflexible you know and only seems to be interested in the rules and regs and money and not the baby is this normal?

OP posts:
shoshe · 10/01/2008 22:26

i would take your wtc papers with you, and say again you need her number or you cannot claim ( I cant believe she has not been asked for it before)

Original poster
squareheadcut · 10/01/2008 22:28

i guess it is the practicalities we need to talk about more than anything else i guess. what shall i do with these doubts, i am supposed to be giving her another 200 quid tomorrow in advance - is this normal? shall i back out now before any more money changes hands or would this be hysterical behaviuor?

OP posts:
shoshe · 10/01/2008 22:30

I am very business like at the initial interview, as if you are not problems come later, I have a handbook that I give my parents, we talk about all the business things on the first Interview, and lay down how what and when money is due (and in advance is usual)

The parents take away the handbook.

The second Interview is much more to get to know the child, and the 'fun' part of CM

I also give the Parents at least a few mornings settling in when you can come with them and leave them for a short time, before you actually start.

KatyMac · 10/01/2008 22:31

If it is a NCMA contract it will have the number on it - if it doesn't alarm bells would be ringing

Go on to the OFSTED website & put in her postcode & look at her report or go to CIS here & put in her postcode - you should find something

shoshe · 10/01/2008 22:31

I dont require payment in advance until the first day of care! You have already payed retainer why does she want the 200.00.!

Original poster
squareheadcut · 10/01/2008 22:32

oh well in that case maybe this is normal and i should just go ahead. i'm sure it will be ok in the end.

OP posts:
Original poster
squareheadcut · 10/01/2008 22:33

thx i am looking on website now

OP posts:
shoshe · 10/01/2008 22:34

As Katy has said tho, No number on contract is ringing alams.

Did she show you her ofsted report?

KatyMac · 10/01/2008 22:34
shoshe · 10/01/2008 22:37

I do Katy, but not till first day of care she has already paid a retainer, so why does she need to pay now she is not starting for two more weeks.

smeeinit · 10/01/2008 22:39

"There is no earthly reason why she shouldn't give her registration number to you" catsmother theres alot that can be gained from using s cms ofsted reg number....falsly claiming tax credits for one.

squarehead, how many times did you meet with the cm before paying the retainer?
paying a retainer is not unusual atall, i dont think she sounds inflexible tbh.

Original poster
squareheadcut · 10/01/2008 22:40

i cannot see her report on ofsted because i do not have her reg number !

OP posts:
Original poster
squareheadcut · 10/01/2008 22:41

she did not show me her oftsed report either

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