interviewing childminders

[nothingbyhalves]

I interviewed a childminder today for the first time, Granted i really didn't know what to expect, but the childminder didn't offer to show me around her home where she will be looking after DC. I did ask where they would nap, if they need one (they will be only just 3 when they go to her and do occaisonly still sleep in the day) and she said her other children sleep on a bean bag or in the pram. I just thought she would show me around a little, like the kitchen, outside where the children play etc. Or was I expecting too much?

I interview parents,they don't interview me despite what that may think
and to whoever it was that asked if we childminders who 'say' we are self employed, we are self employed and no, I don't charge for my holidays but lots do. We set our own terms. If parents don't like it, they go elsewhere.

To the op, it may be that she didn't want to take your children, had interviewed other parents that day already, had already filled the space, any number of reasons or maybe that's just how she is? everyone is different i suppose.

i do tend to show parents round, but only really if they ask. I wouldn't take them into my sleep round as I have little ones sleeping!!

I do show them my policies/certificates etc.

Visit is good Tanith - it's what you would say about a school you are thinking of sending your child to for instance.

I still don't get the hang up about 'interview' though - when companies bid for contracts worth millions they spend weeks putting together a glossy bid document, presenting their services as professional and competant... and then they are interviewed. Of course there may also be a site visit for the buyers to see the company in action. Yes, visit is good

Interviews, visits, first meeting...does it matter what we call it...each c/m can do as she wants
Mr Anchovy how many parents have you been visited, interviewd or had initial meetings with?

We too have portfolios to show parents and evidence of good practice plus spend time explaining how we will observe and assess progress as well as showing Quality Assurance, CPD, training list and qualifications...oh and explain how c/vouchers work and write our own contracts and terms & conditions...the list goes on

My documents are not 'glossy' but reflective of my practice which I consider good and I sell my services as best I can.... time to appreciate c/ms for what we do and some do it very well

Sometimes Italiana I think we must be speaking a different language. My point was not that childminders' portfolios aren't as good as mega-contract bid documents, it was that the companies that have produced them aren't offended by the meeting they attend with their customer being called an interview, so why should childminders be?

For me, interview suggests a very one-sided decision making process; it implies that the parent is making the decision and the CM will willingly accept the business from whoever chooses them but that's not the case.

Not a different language Mr Anchovy ...I think it is more to do with a different way of putting things
As we can see from this blog we all have different ideas and that is just to do with interviews or first meetings or whatever each one chooses to call it

The main thing about this is that it leads to 'working in partnerssip with parents' which is very much stressed in the EYFS 2012 as if it was not important before?

Most childminders use the word 'interview'... not sure why it's being said all CM's dislike the word??? That's untrue. I use it all the time. It really doesn't matter what word you use... either way... the CM is checking the prospective family out, and the prospective family is checking the family out.

Flisspaps I disagree with that... and am often the one who turns down families (when they've emailed me and said they'd like to sign if the vacancy is still available). The decision rest with both equally.

Re us 'saying' being self employed ... we ARE self employed irt HMRC and, as such, can dictate our own holiday pay et al. There is no given. As two plumbers might have different t&c's to each other, so do childminders...

Re docs being shown... well... due to my past career where I put together glossy bids... this quality and care is as important in my childcare business. Without the suits And might take place whilst I have a baby coughing up milk over me whilst sat on the floor... ;) No less professional... just a different service (and environment) being offered.

*'and the prospective family is checking the childminder out. '

I dont show people around upstairs. The children only use the upstairs for using the bathroom, or the baby goes in the cot for her nap.

People need to remember - this is my family home as well as my business. Do you think that downstairs is going to be lovely, and then once you get upstairs, the walls are covered in slime and its actually a torture chamber?? I dont want complete strangers tramping around my personal space upstairs. Would you??? I lay the whole of the downstairs area out for the children. Upstairs belongs to me!!

As for the interview debate - I call it an interview, but as others said - we interview you as much as you interview us. Years of experience tells us who to say yes or no to!!

Lastly - I dont charge for my holidays, sickness etc. Im providing a service. If Im not available to provide that service, I dont charge my parents for it.

Schnakes Absolutely spot on about people needing to remember that it's your home as well as your business.

Isislondon's comment about standards slipping in between Ofsted inspections and feeling as though they have a 'right' to see everything has really irked me and has grated on me since I first read it to be honest. We live in these homes, we bring our own children up in them - do people really think that we only clean and tidy and keep things nice when Ofsted come around?

FlissPaps

Agree totally with your two points above!

The idea that I'd put children's safety at risk by letting standard slip - pissed me off too!

I don't use interview because it implies a far more official standing than I'm comfortable with. I much prefer an informal, relaxed approach when we're with the children.

I don't like the word "inspection" either