Why do OFSTED ask this?

[beautifullight]

DM is a registered childminder and when she had an inspection recently she was asked if any of the children were her grandchildren.
Does anyone know the significance of this?
I ask as DM will be looking after DS when I go back to work.

Some childminders have been registered purely to care for their own grandchildren - to do with tax credits. That is being clamped down on, as whilst it is permitted they must also be willing to care for a non-relative.

So if your DM is only caring for your DS then Ofsted would start taking measure to de-register her. If she cares for other children (who are not relatives), plus your DS then that's fine.

Thanks nannynick.

I'm no expert on childminding but i am sure that the childminder can't be related to the child?!

Am i missing something? Ofsted

You're right- you're not an expert in childminding!

A CM may look after a relative but may not register for the sole purpose of only looking after said relative.

Ofsted don't insist on registration to care for a relative. The only reason one would register to care solely for a relative is to get the financial benefits, which the govt don't like! Nothing says a registered CM can't care for a relative (alongside other mindees etc).

I look after my great-niece, and had been registered for a few years before caring for her. This is alongside 3 other mindees over the week and she is treated like anyone else.