Question for CM'S? Can parents keep the home-book?

[ziopin]

Hi

Our daughter was with a CM for her first 2 years. The CM kept a lovely diary of her daily activities, but when we left she would not let us keep it, saying that she needed to keep a record for her business. Why? Can I ask for it back?

Any advise please.

Thanks

As a CM i photocopy my diaries when the children leave and give the original to the parents. That way everyone (me, OFSTED and the parents)
HTH

Sorry that last line should have read

That way everyone (me, OFSTED and the parents) are happy

I always give them to the parents as I think that they make lovely keep sakes.
When ofsted come I just show them the diaries of my current mindees. Which they seem happy with.

I always give them to the parents when the child leaves or when the book is full. However, it is useful to show Ofsted (and the nature of the job means there's no guarantee the cm will have any mindies when Ofsted next visit, or that everyone will have remembered to bring their book on that day). Observations & details of activites are also useful for coursework.

The childminder is obliged to keep certain records of your child for several years. If for example, the record of your child's attendance was in the diary and not recorded separately she would have to keep the original diary.

I don't know anyone who wouldn't keep essential info like attendance separately though; its all too easy for diaries to get lost on the journey between child's home & cm. IMO most of the content of diaries I've seen is far more relevant for the parent than the cm once the child has left the setting.

Even if she does need to keep your child's original diary, I can't see any reason why she couldn't provide you with a photocopy.

same as jacksmummy

i would ask for it once her instection is done
if her inspection is not for a year then she should give it to you as she will have new diarys to show

My parents keep all their diaries - the parents look forward to digging them out and re-reading all the embarrassing bits out in public (18th birthday parties, for instance)!

If I needed to prove to Ofsted what I did, I would show a current mindee's diary, or ask to borrow an old one from another mindee. Ofsted have never actually asked to see one though, and seemed happy enough that I said that I did them.