Dogs and twins and school pick ups!

[clairemmcc]

Hi guys

I referred a mum to another childminder as I did not have the numbers on my certificate to look after her twins who are 6m.

Just a couple of questions: the new childminder has told her that she can take the twins straight away and that Ofsted have told her this will be no problem as they are siblings. Does this sound right? I was told that I would have to apply to amend my certificate, could not look after them until it was amended (which may take while). The childminder also has another toddler mindee and her two own children who she has to collect from school every day - how is this possible with three mindees?

Also, the new childminder has a 'little' dog who she has told the mum is great with children. I thought that dogs had to be kept away from mindees? Little dogs can be quite snappy can't they.

The mum is really worried about everything and called me for some advice as she does not know what to do as v. difficult to find minder for twins but she does not want to go with something that is not quite right for them. Any ideas on what I should say to her?

Message withdrawn

Sounds like your a little miffed shes managed to look after them and you couldnt??

No no, am not bitter honest!! Have taken on a full time mindee so v. happy with my own placements now. Just that mum sounded so worried about everything and asked for my advice. I don't think she is too keen on new person but doesn't really know what to do as has had difficulties in finding someone with two vacancies for her twins. I know its not really my problem but she is really nice and I wanted to know what everyone else thought of her situation.

If she is not keen then she should not leave babies with said child-minder. What would be the point - she would only worry.

Asking you for advice is a difficult one. If you say it will be OK and it is not, you might feel responsible, and mum might blame you.

I have baby twins and have had no problem finding nannies and childminders who were keen to take them.

She should def. keep looking till she finds someone she is happy with.

Dogs do not have to be "kept away" from mindees as such, but should never be left alone with them. If a parent is that nervous of a dog being there who is around the children, then I would tell her not to leave her children there. The same goes for anything else - if you don't like cats/hamsters/goldfish, don't pick a minder who has them.

Some minders are registered for two under 12 months, but not many. Ofsted can push through a request for a variation if needs be (I had one done within less than 2 weeks recently).

I don't understand how this minder can say that Ofsted have said it's OK for her to have these children just because they're siblings - we still need to ask them. Just being siblings doesn't mean that every childminder would be allowed to care for them.

In terms of how many children she could care for - I assume that she is registered to have three children under 5 years, so she would be able to have three mindees.

clairemmcc - just wanted to say that I don't think you sound miffed at not being allowed the twins at all, you sound like you are just trying to help As the others have said, it's not down to siblings, it's what's on your certificate already OR what Ofsted say. The childminders certificate should be on display anyway so the parent should be able to have a look at that. It certainly shouldn't be kept away in a folder, this is now an Ofsted requirement.

Not sure about the dog thing but as TP said, if she's not happy about the dog then she shouldn't leave her babies with this minder.