Childminder terminated contract

[penelopepinkbott]

Started my son (2.5) with a new childminder a few weeks ago. She seems nice and my son went in very happily. We've had an email saying due to his needs the care of other children has been compromised and she needs to terminate our contract. She thinks a nursery would be better with more staff. She has mainly babies and says he has hurt them on more than one occasion.
We did use a nursery for a few month but they also asked us to leave as they couldn't meet his needs. Both CM and nursery suggest we assess for additional needs. CM sent a report shoring the milestones he wasn't meeting, mainly communication and language. I disagree as I know he can do more than he shows them. AIBU to think childcare should care for my child? Can they wash their hands of him?

I understand this is very upsetting for you but actually it could be a positive. Get you child assessed now. This could lead to an EHCP which will give him the support he needs when he starts school. It also protects you from schools saying they can't manage him. With an EHCP they will have to (and get extra funding for him).

If two settings have both flagged something then you need to do right by your child and get some professional help so he can have the support he needs and deserves

You need to listen to them and put their concerns to the gp.
I know it's hard to hear but it's from a place of concern and safety that they have been honest with you.

So she said he has no awareness of a dirty nappy, no sense of danger, doesn't respond to his name. I think she likes nice quiet children who do what they are told personally! I have listened to everyone and I will speak to HV about this.

So say he does have sen can she just terminate contract? That isn't very inclusive is it?

The childminder can terminate the contract for whatever reason she pleases. She might just want to give up that line of work for instance. Same as you can resign from a job and your boss can't keep you there. The huge issue here is two separate childcare settings have independently given the same feedback and said they can't look after him form the same reasons. You may not agree but it's wrong to ignore and not seek futher help for your child.

I think she likes nice quiet children who do what they are told personally!

We all like children who do as they are told!

If this is behaviour Al then you need to step up before he starts school and has no friends.

What other reasons would two childcare setting have for ending a contract with you?

Ok so I would expect a 2 year old to respond to their name and also to be aware of a dirty nappy(even if not ready to potty train yet). The sense of danger thing is trickier as it depends what she means, I would expect them to be aware that an oven is hot for example but not to know something like road safety,

Doesn't matter. It's her choice whether she takes him or not.

These where all the first signs we had before getting my eldest assessed. It may be something or it may be nothing but wait lists are long and I would recommend getting an assessment just to be sure, it would definitely good to know before starting school.

She can terminate your contract for any reason at all.

If she can’t meet his needs along with her other children then of course she can. Why would you want him cared by someone who can’t meet his needs?

What did the nursery say?

It’s not about having “ nice quiet children “ children aren’t quiet at that age, they are balls of energy and she will know that with being a childminder but what she’s saying is you’re DS isn’t hitting the milestones. I know you are going to speak to the health visitor but it still seems like you’re sticking your head in the sand tbh…

The CM has been quite specific and clear not just "I don't want your child" so honestly st the end if the day it doesn't matter her reasons but if she can't look after your child properly then she is being v reasonable to explain this and tell you.

It's more that her provision isn't set up to help a child with additional needs. He will need a more specialist setting to keep him and other children safe. I think she's done the right thing as frustrating as it may be for you. You would be more angry if he hurt himself or another child whilst in her care.
He needs an assessment asap and support in place

As well as the specific examples she has given you she probably just sees that overall his behaviour and responses of that are typical of a much younger child.

Not responding to his name is an important factor here, both as an indicator of possible delay and the ability of childcare providers to manage groups of children safely.

A key part of assessment is comparing children to others of their age. Other posters are correct to point out that how he speaks at home isn't the point here. Compared with his peers, they are telling you that he is less likely to speak in sentences than other children.

I'm glad you are going to follow this up. I'd also recommend a hearing check if you can. Speech delay and not responding to his name could well be linked to hearing problems.

They said they couldn't meet his needs safely. They said he showed signs of autism, no interaction with others, wouldn't join in any group activities, just ran around etc.

She doesn't have to be inclusive. She only has one pair of hands and already has other children in her care. She is doing a good thing by telling you from the outset that she can't manage him and you will need to find someone else.

He might be better suited to a nanny who can offer him 1:1 support or a nursery who get additional funding to give him extra support. Don't bury your head in the sand about his needs - you need to start putting plans in place and fighting for what he needs. But you can't blame an over stretched childminder for not being willing to manage a difficult child for the same pay she gets for a child with no additional needs.

I'm really surprised that you didn't seek further advice from the GP or HV after this feedback to be honest.

And did you tell the cm this before he started?

I think you’re very much in denial. You need to make a GP appointment and asks for a referral to audiology for a hearing test and ask how to refer to SaLT in your area.

At least you know early that it's likely he is going to need extra support. This will help you with school choices, so you know to focus on schools with good SEN provision.