All these unregistered people...

[Caitycat]

Hi more of a vent than a request for advice as I've already had some brilliant help. I have now seen two registered childminders and have another two lined up, unfortunately I really couldn't leave dd with either "toast for snacks and toast for lunch" or "massive alsation but he loves babies" person so am getting a bit frustrated. All the more so because I now have four different recommendations, all from trusted friends for unregistered people who have been doing it for ages, sound perfect and are much more local to me. They all sound lovely and apparently can't face the paperwork of registering. I know I can't use any of them but all I want is for my baby to be safe and happy, I'm not at all interested in box ticking, meeting EYFS targets or the like and I know that if it was just a health and safety, first aid and safeguarding requirement they would have been happy to register. So frustrated that what seems best for dd is not possible. Starting to wonder if I should be going back to work at all...

But the argument many people have against registration is being forced to implement EYFS, which I sympathise with. It's reasonable to say that if you want to implement that you should have the chance to do so, on an EYE register, regardless of setting, and that if you don't want to then there should be some kind of regulation to keep children safe and ensure carers do have insurance and some basic training without jumping through all the EYFS/other hoops. That would go a long way to increasing the availability of childcare.

There can be regulation without the burdens of the EYFS, and it doesn't need to be excessive. I mean the vOCR is hardly arduous! It would also open up nannies caring for 3 families (although maybe still within certain ratios) or nannies-in-their-own-homes.

I wouldn't have anyone who isn't registered. They won't have all the safety measures, or the insurance and possibly not up to date first aid.

If those factors were so important then most people wouldn't be allowed to look after their own children, never mind children of close relatives or friends.

Agree a basic CM rating, checked just for safety awareness & sanity levels, would be a brilliant development.

Interestingly I think the one thing that isn't inspected is 'sanity levels' . Probably should be though!

None of my parents give a hoot about paperwork. All they want to know is that their children are happy and safe. I don't need a trail of paper work to tell the parents that their child has delayed speech and it may be worth a trip to the speech therapist. I have had a child who has a problem with his left arm - the motor skills weren't quite what they should be - I mentioned it to the parents who got it checked out.
I know so many childminders who have the most fantastic paperwork, their own websites which show how what they are doing connects to EYFS and rave on about how fantastic they are when in actual fact I wouldn't leave my child in their care because all they seen to care about seems to be taking pictures and proving how good they are. I have been to messy play sessions with childminders who get a picture of the kids doing a bit of painting then tell them to come away so they don't get too messy.
When I was looking for a CM all I wanted was for someone to look after and stimulate my child the way I did. If I trusted her/him enough to look after my child then I wouldn't need to see policies and risk assessments etc.
I understand it is important to have insurance and pay my tax which is the only reason why I am registered.
I am actually thinking about nannying so if anyone has any tips or advice that would be great x

'I am actually thinking about nannying so if anyone has any tips or advice that would be great'

Do it! That would be my advice. Although do check out jobs in your area first and maybe secure one before you give notice because job situation isn't great at the moment.

I definitely think exempting CMs from the EYFS would be a good idea, and also from full Ofsted inspections.

In fact I would much prefer a basic annual check of the premises being safe and the minder managing rather than having to do the full Ofsted inspection every 3-5 years.

Basic training, CRB, child protection, first aid, insurance and a premises check is sufficient.

ok as a recently registered childminder I have to say it is an eye opener. For starters what a long drawn out process I was shocked to see no child care qualifications were required so the fact I was level 3 trained didn't matter, you can choose to do a 3 day course(3 saturdays) at the end nobody fails but are graded to asses the level of support they would need by the borough or you can do the CYPOP 5 on line which you at least have to pass to get certified( i chose this option), I attended my paediatric first aid in my class of 14 one really stood out as being completely incompetent she passed by the way, OFSTED do CRB but only once this is never rechecked which I'm sorry is a bit worrying or insurance I agree with but the checks on your home I had a conversation with a childminder in my area and was shocked when she said after her inspection within the first few months they do a quick check and then you dont see them for a few years ( she said you can go back to normal) this threw me...... You can argue what is best but there is no right answer you will fine the good and bad in each scenario I just hope to provide a service that is talked about but for all the right reasons.

irishlee - your CRB is checked, you just don't know it. I asked Ofsted about it once (mine is 13 yrs old) and they said that once I was in the system, if I did anything which meant I wasn't suitable for minding, it would be flagged on their system and my registration would be withdrawn. Whether that actually works in practice, I don't know.

I agree about the first aid courses ... I have seen people stare out the window, play on their phones and generally not take part, but they still got their certificates.

I have spent this week doing a pile of paperwork which I am sure is more for Ofsted's benefit than the children (but the parents like it too).

I really really hate minders that pull out all the stops for an Ofsted visit. Ofsted can come to me whenever they like and I will be doing the same activities and paperwork that I always do. That way, I don't stress about inspections at all. I'm sure I won't get another Outstanding grade this time round, but hey ho.

Some good points made here. It would be an interesting a nd positive turn of the culture if someone actually asked parents what they want from their childcare. Liz Truss seems to think it's all about preparing them to perform when presented with the rigors of reception. Most parents I know just want someone to keep their children safe, warm, fed, and happy whilst they go to work.

So really... is it time we actually tailor the childcare in this country to serve the parents. Or are we all just put here to serve the state.

I tend more towards the view that the state exists to serve the people.

The thing about a one day first aid course is that it is a certificate of attendance only not competence. Certificates of competence are only issued after a four day ciurse and independent assessment.... so yes peple could attend a course a d play on phone or fall asleep and still get a certificate. Although depending on the trainer and circumstances as to who is funding place etc perhaps lack if enthusiasm might be passed on to an employer.

A one day course would not be regarded as adequate for CM registration purposes in England.

The one day courses are ok for nanny Ofsted registration. Is the childminder first-aid course different? The nanny one is the 12 hour paediatric first aid.

Ofsted don't specify a length of time for the course as far as I know, just what it has to cover.

I did a 12 hour course over two days

The CM one is 12 hours but a nanny one can be approved and only 6 hours long. I'm not sure whether the partly online, partly 1 day attendance ones are suitable for CMs.

I think providers can decline to issue a certificate if they don't think someone is competent but that would be bad business, as word would get around and people would go for the easy option.

I think you're right Cloverer. I think SJA or someone call it the '12 hour paed first aid' to differentiate it from the 6-hour not Ofsted approved one, but it doesn't actually have to be 12 hours long, it can be done in one day 8:30am-5pm or similar.

When I did my last one with SJA there were only 12 in the class and the instructor made sure everyone took part. One person was late on both days and on the second day when she arrived he told her he she'd failed and sent her home because she'd missed stuff where she'd been late.