Childminders please can I ask you a few questions?

[Questionsquestionsquestions]

I'm asking on behalf of a friend, and don't want to out myself or her so have namechanged...

Are any/all of the following allowed/discouraged/ok/a big no no when you are childminding? (she isn't sure if she is being an overprotective/fussy mum or not!)
-large trampoline in garden with no net, and climbing frame right next to it so that children can climb straight on

-upstairs windows open with no lock/safety catch (ie easy to climb out of)

-cm drinking beer and playing games on ipad when parent arrives to collect? (children playing in garden near her)

(mum isn't sure if she is being an overprotective/fussy mum or if these things are warning signs)

Thanks :)

I'd be straight on the phone to Ofsted. The trampoline is a H&S hazard and should be risk assessed, as is the window.

The drinking whilst in charge of the children is totally unacceptable and a disgrace. We'd all love a beer towards the end of a long day with the kids but wait until those we are paid to mind go home.

I am not a childminder yet but I could cope with all but the drinking-not on and I love wine!

Hello.
Here's my answers (I'm a CM)
trampoline-a no no for the CM kids if there's no net-even then she would need risk assessments and parental permission for each child to use it.Climbing frame needs moving.
windows-small one's only open.My mindees are 'trained' to not go into the bedrooms but you never know....
beer drinking-NO NO NO NO NO NO-Ofsted would not be impressed! would never ever have an alcoholic drink during work hours -how she would explain it to parents/Ofsted etc if an incident occurred, I don't know.
Mum is not being fussy-these things do ring alarm bells to me,although others may have different opinions
HTH x

Completely unacceptable, all of it.

All apart from the window I would say no not at all, my windows don't lock it's a fire hazard I think the builders said but none of my mindees go upstairs, if they had to I would have the small ones open but they would be supervised if they had to go up to the bathroom.

Thank you - interesting that different people have different definite no's - does this mean there are no 'rules' as such, but just common sense/explanations to back up decisions?

I'm a cm with a trampoline but it has a safety net, a safety policy and parents consent to its use. Has the cm risk assessed the garden equipment? Windows depends on whether minded children are allowed upstairs, none are here but I wouldn't put my own dc at risk with unsafe windows. Alcohol when working a major no no and believe me there have been days when I'd have loved a beer, but always manage to wait until the mindees have gone home . Cm are self employed so only "rules" are set by governing bodies and by the cm themselves. No decent cm who cares about their reputation wants to be seen to be behaving in an unprofessional way.

Am assuming you are in England as I can't speak for Scotland & Wales.
There are no fixed rules regarding the trampoline and climbing frame - the requirement is the follow manufacturers instructions, have a risk assessment and parental consent to use play equipment HOWEVER I suspect that the manufactures instructions will make what this CM is doing a no-no & therefore mean she is invalidating her public liability insurance and in breach of the Safeguarding Requirements of the Early years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Open windows again require risk assessing and under the EYFS the CM has an obligation to keep children safe.
Regarding the alcohol this is clear cut - by consuming alcohol whilst CM she is breaking the law. It is specified in the EYFS so she is in breach of the conditions of her registration. I would report her for putting children in danger and failing to comply with the Safeguarding & Welfare requirements of the EYFS

I had a trampoline and even though it had a net, I had specific policies and permission slips for it.

My upstairs windows are open in this weather, but the children don't go up there.

Alcohol - a big NO

iPad - ok if she's entering observations, cropping kids photos etc.

Another CM here

trampoline is a H&S hazard, and should have a safety net and risk assesment.

Open windows - I don't have an issue with this as my mindees are all schoolies and don't go upstairs anyway.

Alcohol - big NO, I would be straight on the phone to OFSTED if I saw that.

I-pad, again I don't have an ssue as such, if she is still able to supervise the children, but NOT whilst drinking alcohol.

im a cm too. no to all of these. totally unacceptable and very dangerous.i would be getting ny dc out of there with immediate effect and reporting to ofsted