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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

How much would this put you off?

71 replies

fjalladis · 18/04/2015 15:32

I'm looking at setting up as a childminder sometime next year. Have plenty of experience with kids although I'm currently working in social care. Dbs training ect not a problem have got all relevant info to book on courses ect but

I have six points on my driving licence from a stupid stupid error on my part in not checking my insurance had renued ( thought it was on auto renue) following a breakdown on dual carriageway (requiring police presence) it became apparent that I was not insured. Following later discussions with my insurers they did admit that they had made the mistake ( I had paperwork with renual info ect) but by this time I had had to accept the points and pay the fine. I cannot now appeal it to have points removed or find reimbursed .
Wondering what affect this could have on me wanting to childmind and whether it would put parents off?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

OutragedFromLeeds · 18/04/2015 23:49

Tbf I don't think anyone has said a childminder who can't spell also can't tie shoelaces, just that she can't help with homework. I don't care whether a childminder can tie shoelaces (told you I was easily pleased) because my DC have shoes that fasten with Velcro.

I also don't think it's relevant whether the parents are good at spelling or not. If anything there is even more reason to need a child carer who can spell if you can't. So the 'you're not good at spelling, how dare you want a childminder who can spell' argument is silly. I'm rubbish at hairdressing so I get someone who is good at hairdressing to cut my DC's hair. You would never say 'how dare you want someone who is good at cutting hair because you're rubbish at it'. Think it through.

pictish · 18/04/2015 23:51

Look at the OP's post. Do you really think a person who can articulate like that is a jeopardy to your children's homework because she misspelled a single word? As in really?
What is wrong with some of you?

pictish · 19/04/2015 00:01

And she managed 'licence' ok.

OutragedFromLeeds · 19/04/2015 00:01

Well, the single word was misspelled throughout. It's a very simple word. It is indicative of someone who doesn't have a high level of literacy. That would put me off, yes. There is nothing 'wrong' with me. Basic literacy is not a big ask. I appreciate and understand that it not a concern for you and some other posters. For some posters, including me, it is important. It's a different preference, that is all.

pictish · 19/04/2015 00:03

Trivial people using trivial excuses to feel anything but trivial.

Almostnever · 19/04/2015 00:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OutragedFromLeeds · 19/04/2015 00:09

Have you had a drink pictish?

OutragedFromLeeds · 19/04/2015 00:12

She probably should have just claimed to be American . Then it would be correct.

pictish · 19/04/2015 00:23

It's such snoot-arsed thing to get hung up on. Is she nice? Is she kind? Do your kids like being there? Are they secure in her company? Is she reliable and level headed? Can she cope in a crisis?

She's not a tutor. She's not even your nanny. Come back down to earth fgs.

OutragedFromLeeds · 19/04/2015 00:29

I don't think we're going to agree on this, but no, basic literacy is not a 'snoot-arsed' thing to get hung up on. It's a very basic requirement in nearly all jobs.

I don't know what sort of circles you're mixing in, but where I am it is possible to find child carers who are kind, fun, reliable etc. and can ALSO spell. It's not a one or the other situation.

The fact that you think someone who expects basic literacy from a childcare professional needs to 'come back down to earth' is a shocking indictment of our education system tbh.

pictish · 19/04/2015 00:40

Her basic literacy is fine and more than good enough to child mind your kids or anyone else's. Away with you!

OutragedFromLeeds · 19/04/2015 00:42

'Away with you'

pictish has had a drink or two methinks .

Drink some water before you go to sleep .

pictish · 19/04/2015 00:49

Well it's a tactic, I'll give you that...but alas no, I'm quite within my wits tonight. I'm appalled by pointless snobbery every other night too.

OutragedFromLeeds · 19/04/2015 00:59

Well, you're being quite rude then. And out of character....you're usually a fairly normal poster aren't you?! Unless I've mixed you up with someone else, my apologies if that's the case and you're always rude.

Expecting basic literacy is not pointless snobbery.

m0therofdragons · 19/04/2015 01:00

I would be happier with the points of you explained and I think as part of being a cm, if you're driving a dc you have to show parents a copy of the insurance and your licence - my cm did but not sure if it's standard. It would concern me that you'd let your insurance lapse - even on auto renew is notice of payment hadn't gone so id probably want reassurance you were on top of that now but it would not go against you if I thought you were right for dd.

pictish · 19/04/2015 01:04

Ok. What do you define as 'basic literacy'? I think of basic literacy as being able to make yourself understood clearly and easily by way of writing.
Does your take on what it means differ on that?

pictish · 19/04/2015 01:08

By my definition the OP covers all bases with ease and beyond. Her basic literacy is very good.

OutragedFromLeeds · 19/04/2015 01:21

For an adult I would define basic literacy as the ability to read, write and spell accurately and coherently.

If you prefer, I can change that to 'moderate literacy'?

It doesn't change what I want from a child carer though.

We had 'renew' on the school spelling list last term. DC in the middle ability group, of a state primary in year 2. I want someone who can spell better than my primary school aged children.

We should expect that all adults (without SEN) have reached that level in this country. The casual acceptance of poor literacy is sad. The idea that wanting an adult to be able to spell to a 7 year old level is 'snoot arsed' and 'pointless snobbery' is ridiculous. That's why I thought you were drunk!

I'm talking generally now and not specifically about the OP. If I saw an ad with basic spelling/grammar mistakes it would put me off. It indicates poor literacy and poor attention to detail. If the OP's ad were written like her OP I would be put off. If she was the only available childminder I might still end up using her, but it would be a cross in the cons column.

pictish · 19/04/2015 01:33

Righto. It was that term 'basic literacy' which you were alluding to the OP not having, owing to a spelling mistake. Seemed bloody harsh to me.

OutragedFromLeeds · 19/04/2015 01:48

I didn't say that she didn't have basic literacy (and I don't think anyone else did either). I said her OP indicated that she didn't.

An ad written like that OP would put me off because it indicates a lack of basic literacy. I obviously know nothing about the OP's actual literacy, maybe she has a degree in English? Who knows?

My advice to the OP was to spell check her ad, that was all. People will judge based on the ad and one written like that screams 'can't spell and can't be bothered to spell check'. It wasn't just one spelling mistake, the whole thing was badly written and hard to read. It did not make a good impression.

Sometimes I help families who are recruiting nannies. Anyone with basic spelling mistakes on their CV or covering letter go straight in the bin. There are enough good nannies who can spell to immediately dismiss the ones that can't. I imagine the situation with childminders is similar.

HSMMaCM · 19/04/2015 08:04

DD used to get spelling lists home from primary school with errors on. Her teacher was great, apart from being dyslexic and should have got someone to check .

ragged · 19/04/2015 08:42

Modern CMs have to have way more than basic literacy because of all the paperwork they have to do, nowadays. Plenty of parents can't spell license/licence (the distinction doesn't even exist in my country), doesn't mean they can't help their kids. School spelling lists remind how to spell each word, anyway.

insancerre · 19/04/2015 09:26

I'm with outraged
An adult, barring SEN, should know how to spell basic words like renew and etc
I hate this idea that spelling and grammar don't matter. They do.
I know a reception teacher that can't spell coming. She spells it comming.
It is a very sad indictment of our education system that we have people with degrees who are teaching young children without the basic ability to spell simple words
I work in early years as a manager and I constantly have to correct the spelling of my younger staff.
I find it very frustrating

gallicgirl · 19/04/2015 09:35

Do you seriously expect a childminder to help with homework? Surely that's your responsibility as a parent?

As to the OPs question, I would be concerned that appropriate insurances were in place but it wouldn't put me off once the circumstances had been established.

ragged · 19/04/2015 09:40

So is it okay if an adult with SEN that limits their spelling ability becomes a childminder? Any objectors? MEH.

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