Leaving mindee alone with DP... help please

[DangerousMouse]

I'm a newly registered childminder and have a mindee booked untill 7pm, I need to take my DD out at 6.30pm and would like to leave mindee with my DP, would I be able to do this with parentla permission?

He has been CRB'd, the problem I think is that he hasn't done the 12hr first aid... but, he is a medical doctor, do you think OFSTED would ok this?

I would imagine so, but couldn't DP take your DD out for the thing at 6.30? That solves your problem :) And you can query it with ofsted in case it comes up another time.

Why can't your dp take your dd?

It would out me and my mindee's if I said why, but I do have to take her, or she doesnt go..

If I were your mindee's parent I would feel well and truly put on the spot and not at all happy. I would also wonder how many other times I would be put in the same position.

Oh, okay.

I would have thought for half an hour with parental permission it ought to be fine? I know I have dropped DS off once when there was a mix-up with days and CM was out, I left him with her DH until she got back as I had to go to work. I was happy to do this.

However, I am not ofsted.

It was only 15 minutes in my case and DS was familiar with CM's DH as he had often been around if he'd finished work early or DS stayed late. But bisjo had a point - I think I'm just not very assertive

Also how long have you looked after this mindee and does your dp live with you (ie the parent will also know your dp)?

Is he registered as your assistant? My husband is my official assistant, has done first aid, CRBed etc and very occasionally I levae mindees with him particualarly if they are asleep and I have a school run to do or something. But all parents know this and know him anyway so don't have a problem.

Yeah, I need to speak to OFSTED and the parent, the mindee could come with us, but he would need to be picked up an hour later than Mum wants, obviously I wouldnt charge for the hour if she chose for him to come with me. In case it matters he is an over 8 yr old, so its not a young'en, I think the lad would actually enjoy staying with my DP and DS

Your dp needs to be registered as your assistant and have a first aid certificate to be left alone. You also need parental permission. I have a few assistants registered for emergencies and the only ones I can leave alone are the ones with first aid certificates.

Just read its an over 8, think you need to check but it may be ok as long as you have written permission.

Longer term, I'd have thought registering your dp as your assistant would leave OFSTED happier.
If I were the parent, it would depend. If it's a 'one off' or for an emergency then I'm sure it would be fine. In effect, you are finishing work and he's agreed to babysit for 1/2 an hour. If it were weekly, then I'd want to know why you were taking on hours you couldn't commit to. Equally if it were a newish contract. Or why your dp couldn't take your dd.
That said, it needn't necessarily be a deal breaker for me, if you are a great childminder and have had my dc for years then this wouldn't bother me at all.
So, without knowing a bit more, I'll sit on this fence and get a few splinters

OP says she is 'newly registered' so no long term relationship to fall back on. I agree with others that you should get your dp registered as an assistant or else not commit to hours you can't do (assuming this isn't actually an emergency, which of course would be different).

Ok, thanks for your comments, I would definatley like to get DP registered as my assistant, that would be the best outcome I think. Hopefully OFSTED wont need him to do the first aid course.

My (wonderful) child minder used to leave my DS & DD with her Mum and her DH. I knew them both and my children loved them. It never occurred to me that it would be a problem, I was just grateful that she was arranging this for me rather than just saying I can't work til x time that night so DS / DD will need to be collected early. I think that seeing it as him babysitting for a short while after you finish work is a sensible view.