URGENT PLEASE - which of you CM's MOVED HOUSE recently????

[looneytune]

I was chatting to one of you recently about the stresses of moving house and you were just about to.

I need you ASAP - Ofsted causing me problems, just like they did you but I can't find the thread to remind me what you did about it!

HELP!!!

May be moving in 2½ weeks

HenniPenni, thanks for the most useful comment "a c/m friend of mine is also in the process of moving and has been told that they do not need an inspection of their new house. Although it is possibly because they have just had an inspection."

It certainly isn't due to them having a recent inspection, as that inspection will not have taken into account the new pemises. Instead it clearly shows how Ofsted are not applying their Policy (if they have one) in all areas. It's like a postcode lottery!

Nannynick, too right, it is indeed a postcode lottery- I was going to put that at the end of my post but forgot.

I moved earlier this year and was told I would have to have an inspection at the new property as I had not informed Ofsted of my new address within two weeks of moving (in writing, I phoned!). I had my inspection about 3 weeks ago-fine but still no cert.!

Oh Becks, you didn't inform them, naughty naughty . As ever with Ofsted, anything informing them of a change in circumstances needs to be in Writing. While you can phone, it needs to be followed up in Writing.

Out of interest, are they still allowing you to childmind, without your new certificate? As after all, you yourself are still registered, it's just that Ofsted haven't got round to doing the paperwork yet.

Thanks everyone, in particular to Nannynick who has been contacting me direct and helping lots I really want to complain about their silly procedure (or lack of) but I'm worried about doing this because I have 2 more requests to make to them in the near future (variation on numbers and overnight care). If it wasn't for this, I would be arguing this point more with them.

But, I have decided for now to send the letter to them as requested. I would be VERY grateful for feedback on this before it goes tomorrow. Below the letter I have listed the things I have put in my health and safety checklist and again would appreciate you pointing out any bits I may have misses

Off to bed now as had too much wine (stress getting to me ). Will be back to check in the morning.

Thanks again. I don't know what I'd do without my MN childminder friends

LETTER

Further to my telephone conversation with your office on Friday 29th September 2006, I am writing to confirm that I am moving house shortly. We do not have a move date as yet but we are hoping for around 18th October 2006. The new address will be xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Due to me having a x year old son, I made sure that the house we were purchasing is totally fit for young children. Once we move into the property, we have a few safety measures to put in place, these are detailed in the attached Health & Safety checklist I have put together. Please see attached.

When I initially informed the parents of my mindees that I was moving, they wanted me to continue childminding immediately. I told them that I would require a short amount of time off to enable me to put the safety measures in place before I?d be willing to continue childminding, for ?Health and Safety? reasons. They now understand this but are very keen for me to commence childminding as soon as possible after.

As I am sure you understand, the issues myself and the mindee?s parents have regarding not continuing to childmind, relate to the children. Continuity of care is at the top of the list, as well as the fact that I live in an area where we are very short of childminders and we?re not sure any have the appropriate vacancies to accommodate a short term placement for all the children. In particular, I have one xxxx old girl who is extremely clingy at the moment and although she is very used to being around the local childminders, she will scream if left for a few moments and will reach her arms for me the second she sees me. This really worries me and her mum and we feel it is very important she stays with someone she knows and trusts, rather than temporarily go to someone she does not feel comfortable with.

I have spoken to all the parents and they have all expressed their wishes that I continue to look after their children after the move, and have signed a form stating this (please see attached).

Please would you kindly look at my attached Health & Safety checklist (risk assessment) and inform me as soon as possible whether or not I am able to continue childminding immediately after moving, once the safety measures are put in place. I plan to have a total of 5 days off work to ensure this takes place before re-commencing with the children.

I look forward to hearing from you as a matter of urgency.

Yours faithfully

CHECKLIST

First aid box correctly supplied
Smoke alarm fitted in correct areas
Locks on all cupboard doors
Socket covers in place
Stair Gate fitted at the bottom of the stairs
Stair Gate fitted at the top of the stairs
Fire blanket in kitchen
Electrical Leads out of reach of children
Dangerous/sharp utensils stored safely
Fridge/Freezer temp checked
Correct storage of food
Step available to children in downstairs toilet
Drain and manhole covers secured

Just a quick note as I need my bed, what about garden safety?

Hi Henni. The garden is secure and safe (totally enclosed) and there is a gate at the front of the garden too so no children are able to go into the road. I think I will change the title to Risk Assessment, state this and the fact the rest of the house is safe and just need the following safety measures taking place, then list them as my checklist. Sound ok?

Off to bed myself but will finish in the morning. Thanks for that

sounds good looney, can't think of anything else now but no doubt will at 2 in the morning!

Cheers Henni

Done some slight wording changes on letter and have changed the checklist to a risk assessment. Please can you let me know what you think?

LETTER

Further to my telephone conversation with your office on xxxxxx, I am writing to confirm that I am moving house shortly. We do not have a move date as yet but we are hoping for around xxxxx. The new address will be xxxxxxxxx.

Due to me having a xxx year old son, I made sure that the house we are purchasing is totally fit for young children. Once we move into the property, we have a few safety measures to put in place, these are detailed in the Risk Assessment I have put together. Please see attached.

When I initially informed the parents of my mindees that I was moving, they wanted me to continue childminding immediately. I told them that I would require a short amount of time off to enable me to put the safety measures in place before I?d be willing to continue childminding, for ?Health and Safety? reasons. They now understand this but are very keen for me to commence childminding as soon as possible after.

As I am sure you understand, the issues myself and the mindee?s parents have regarding not continuing to childmind, relate to the children. Continuity of care is at the top of the list, as well as the fact that I live in an area where we are very short of childminders and we?re not sure any have the appropriate vacancies to accommodate a short term placement for all the children. In particular, I have one 14 month old girl who suffers with separation anxiety at the moment and although she is very used to being around the local childminders, she will scream if left for a few moments and will reach her arms for me the second she sees me. This really worries me and her mum and we feel it is very important she stays with someone she knows and trusts, rather than temporarily go to someone she does not feel comfortable with. I also have 13 month old with a sleeping disorder. He attends a sleep clinic once a month and it is very important that his sleep routine is followed, which would be impossible for any childminders who do afternoon school runs.

I have spoken to all the parents and they have all expressed their wishes that I continue to look after their children after the move, and have signed a form stating this (please see attached).

Please would you kindly look at my attached Risk Assessment and inform me as soon as possible whether or not I am able to continue childminding immediately after moving, once the safety measures are put in place. I plan to have a total of 5 days off work to ensure this takes place before re-commencing with the children.

I look forward to hearing from you as a matter of urgency.

Yours faithfully

RISK ASSESSMENT

The inside of the house has been checked for safety issues and I am 100% happy that the house will be safe for children once the appropriate stair gates, cupboards locks etc are in place. I have put together a checklist of what needs to be done to the house before I am willing to re-commence childminding (see below). I have organized a large team of helpers and am very happy that all the safety measures will be in place very quickly.

The back garden is fully enclosed and secure with fence panels. There is side access to the front garden with a gate between so that children cannot get out of the garden. The front garden is also safe and secure as there is a fence panel and gate so that the children cannot run out near the road.

HEALTH AND SAFETY CHECKLIST

First aid box correctly supplied
Smoke alarm fitted in correct areas
Locks on all cupboard doors
Socket covers in place
Stair Gate fitted at the bottom of the stairs
Stair Gate fitted at the top of the stairs
Fire blanket in kitchen
Electrical Leads out of reach of children
Dangerous/sharp utensils stored safely
Fridge/Freezer temp checked
Correct storage of food
Step available to children in downstairs toilet

Another update (in case anyone is actually reading this )

Further to my telephone conversation with your office on xxxx, I am writing to confirm that I am moving house shortly. We do not have a move date as yet but we are hoping for around xxxxxx. The new address will be xxxxxx.

Due to me having a x year old son, I made sure that the house we are purchasing is totally fit for young children. Once we move into the property, we have a few safety measures to put in place, these are detailed in the Risk Assessment I have put together. Please see attached.

When I initially informed the parents of my mindees that I was moving, they wanted me to continue childminding immediately. I told them that I would require a short amount of time off to enable me to put the safety measures in place before I?d be willing to continue childminding, for ?Health and Safety? reasons. They now understand this but are very keen for me to commence childminding as soon as possible after.

As I am sure you understand, the issues myself and the mindee?s parents have regarding not continuing to childmind, relate to the children. Continuity of care is at the top of the list, as well as the fact that I live in an area where we are very short of childminders and we?re not sure any have the appropriate vacancies to accommodate a short term placement for all the children. In particular, I have one 14 month old girl who suffers with Separation Anxiety at the moment. Her mum and I feel it is very important she stays with someone she knows and trusts. I also have 13 month old with a Sleep Disorder. He attends a sleep clinic once a month and it is very important that his sleep routine is followed, which would be impossible for any childminders who do afternoon school runs.

I have spoken to all the parents and they have all expressed their wishes that I continue to look after their children after the move, and have signed a form stating this (please see attached).

Please would you kindly look at my attached Risk Assessment and inform me as soon as possible whether or not I am able to continue childminding immediately after moving, once the safety measures are put in place. I plan to have a total of 5 days off work to ensure this takes place before re-commencing with the children.

I look forward to hearing from you as a matter of urgency.

Yours faithfully

Thanks LMGs - have change that paragraph as advised

Due to me having a 3 year old son, I made sure that the house we are purchasing is completely suitable for young children. Once we move into the property, we have a few safety measures to put in place, these are detailed in the Risk Assessment I have put together. Please see attached.

sorry hun havent time to read full thread, but when we bought this on in july, previous owner was/is a cm and ofsted told her to just do a risk assesment and theyd be round in due course..so she could carry on minding as normal with none of the hassle your having??

i cant explain them..im having nitemare with reg so i no what theyre like

Mad isn't it. They won't agree to it without this letter so all I can do is hope they are satisfied with what I have to say!

gggggggggggggggggrrrr..bloody letters..fingers crossed for you

Letter sounds fine to me. Hope it gets the desired result.

For anyone who is an NCMA member, please contact NCMA (regional or national) and try to get them to talk to Ofsted regarding this issue. As the voice of many Registered Childminders, I feel that NCMA should be sorting this sort of thing out, so that childminders know what the procedure is, should they move house and wish to continue childminding.

cheers nannynick. i keep trying the NCMA but due to very noisy children, especially when on the phone, i usually end up calling at a time when they are closed.

i have no toddler groups or anything whether the other 2 are at nursery tomorrow morning, so I will try when I just have baby.

try emailing ncma?

Don't you just love Ofsted? Thought Not

But, they have recently published a document on their website, which contains a statement regarding childminders moving house.

HMI 2601a - Framework for the Regulation of Childminding and Day Care. Published 29 September 2006.

Paragraph 24:
Begin Quote
24. Childminders do not have to make new or separate applications if they move house or wish to care for children from more than one domestic
premise. However, they must tell Ofsted in writing of any changes to the addresses where they provide childminding or changes to the premises, in advance if possible, but in any case within 14 days of the change.
End Quote

To nannynick-in answer to your question earlier-no they did not allow me to mind in the meantime. Fortunately this was not a problem as I had not started in my new area (hence the delay in writing to them). However when I rang them they did not mention the 14 day rule and funnily enough in the fun of moving house and schools I had not read HMI 2610a!!!Could possibly have avoided 2hour reinspection.

I doubt that Ofsted staff have read HMI 2601a either. It was published very recently, but even so, this week they were still telling people enquiring that they would not be able to childmind.

I really feel that Ofsted need to publish a guide for childminders who are considering moving house... not only for childminders so they know the regulations, but also for their own staff. At least someone, somewhere in Ofsted knows the right information, as it appears in HMI 2601a. Pitty not everyone knows it.

OMG - Nannynick, I could kiss you!!! What idiots they are!! I've just sent them an email:

Further to my email sent at 15.16 on 4th October 2006, with originals in the post the same day, can I please draw your attention to one of your recent publications regarding childminders moving house.

On YOUR website I came across publication HMI 2601a - Framework for the regulation of childminding and day care. Here is a link for your information www.ofsted.gov.uk/publications/index.cfm?fuseaction=pubs.displayfile&id=2800&type=doc

Please look at paragraph 24, which reads as follows:

Childminders do not have to make new or separate applications if they move house or wish to care for children from more than one domestic premise. However, they must tell Ofsted in writing of any changes to the addresses where they provide childminding or changes to the premises, in advance if possible, but in any case within 14 days of the change.

I am very disappointed with Ofsted as I made several phonecalls to your office because I was very sure I didn't have to have an inspection in order to re-commence childminding. My local Early Years Team also got envolved and contacted a manager at Ofsted.

Moving house is stressful enough as it is and it looks like I have spent unnecessary time putting together a document in order to satisfy Ofsted, have worried parents unnecessarily as they are currently unsure as to whether or not I can continue childminding, only to finally found a publication saying it is ok on your own website.

First thing on Monday, I will let parents know there is no problem and that I will be childminding a few days after my move.

Regards

I highlighted the paragraph in bold too!! It's really annoying that they don't know what they are doing. I was at childminder drop in on Tuesday and another lady there phoned them as moving house in near future and they told her no problem, just give us your new address once you've moved! I'm furious with them.

Anyway, thanks to you, it's sorted as far as I'm concerned

Sorry I've not been actively responding to your posts or emails, not intentional, just had an awful week with the house stuff and been away from my pc more than usual. Just cleared my inbox this morning and will look at your emails now!

Thanks

Oops, I was a bit mad at them and rushed it - just noticed I spelt involved wrong and put found instead of find.

Ooops, my support minder thinks that was a bit strongly worded - do you think I can get into trouble for it?

I think that it is strongly worded, but I also think that it had to be. I live in hope that Ofsted will take note of what you have said, and maybe they won't get it wrong with the next person. (And I am counting flying pigs as I type).