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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 many is my Childminder allowed?? Should her friends be there while she's working???

19 replies

asadkins · 13/01/2007 23:58

As a mother who works from home I am well aware of the difference between work and 'home' time. Why is it when I pick up my son every Thursday my childminder is having 'coffee' with her friend? Yes, this friend is a mother but surley if she is in the CM's working enviornment she should be crb cleared??? Also in the past few weeks I have noticed she is becomeing increasingly busy with lots and lots of after school kids. She has two of her own one 3 (my sons age) and one 6. She also has my son and at least one other 3 or under yr old and about 4 over 6 at any one time......is this right? Also her husband recntly qual as cm, but still works full time away from home. In original meeting she told me that her mum who is crb cleared helps after school.........never ever seen her in 8 months!!!! I am fond of cm as a friend but concerned as I am not asking a favor of a friend to look after my son, but paying her!!!! It's her job and I am getting worried that she is taking liberties!! Any advice............please I don't want to rock the boat unless nessesary. A x

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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MamazonAKAfatty · 14/01/2007 00:04

Im not sure the exact numbers but you can have a certain numbver of under 1's then under 5's and over 5s.
If tehre is more than 1 CM then that number increases.

If her friend is there then her children don't count as part of your Cm's quota as they are already supervised by their parent.

If she is there for more than a certain amount of time then she shoudl be CRB checked but it would be very difficult to prove as she is just a visitor.

I would be concerne in your position. it sounds as if maybe her hubby has qualified so that they can claim two CM's are working and thereofr have more children at a time.

If i were you i would speak with her about your concerns. At the end of the day she is meant to be a professional and should behave as such.

kidsrus · 14/01/2007 00:20

asadkins your childminder should have her certificate of registration on display when she minds and you are entitled at any time to look at it. It will tell you how many children she is allowed to have her own children have already been counted.
She should also have an ofsted poster on display with a phone no for complaints if there is a problem.
she is allowed visitors and their children don't count like mamazon said.
Her husband could have registered for times like his day off he can stay at home with children while she picks up from school or vice versa.
Over 8's i believe you can have as many as you like as long as they don't interfere with the younger ones, but don't quote me on that.
I hope that helps but please talk to her as im sure it's just a miss understanding.

alibubbles · 14/01/2007 07:58

The c/m should also have a vistors book showing what time all visitors arrive and what time they left. This is part of 'keeping children safe' under the chilkd protection standard, my coordinator signs it every time, Ofsted did too, my parents when they visit do, and no e of them should be left alone with the children as they are not CRB checked.

shosha · 14/01/2007 09:10

Message withdrawn

KaySamuels · 14/01/2007 10:25

It sounds like she is in her numbers, does she display the things kidsrus mentions? I have these up in view and so should your childminder.

Does your cm do a journal/day book for your child? My under5s I mind have these and if people visit I am always very open about it and even write it in the little ones book.

Your concerns are valid, I think you need to communicate with your cm about anything worrying you. Could you not just say 'gosh you must be exhausted with this lot' or sympathise with her needing a visit from an adult now and again? Your childminder should be relieving your concerns tho by having her certificate up, verbally communicating with you and keeping you up to date with who is in her house.

I introduce new mindees to all other parents who pick up and drop off for example as it puts the kids and children at ease. As you don't seem sure who's there maybe this would be a good idea. Why not introduce yourself to anyone you don't know in a friendly upbeat manner!

KaySamuels · 14/01/2007 10:32

Just thought I would add if I have my sister or sister in law over they visit with their own child and get invloved with the mindees playing. They are both also crb checked (one for scouts and one for college), I have told the parents this, the parents know who they are etc.

I also have my nvq assessor over and my network co-ordinator who are very good with my mindees as they are professionals in childcare too and the parents are informed of their scheduled visits.

Play and activities shouldn't grind to a halt, in my house visitors have to join in the chaos!!

Original poster

asadkins · 15/01/2007 23:01

Hey thanks every one for your replies. I picked up DS today and once again her friend was there. I believe at least one of the 7 year olds is hers and her 3 month old baby. Yes, I agree my CM needs adult company, (that's precisely why I work 3 half days a week) but I haven't been introduced to her friend and I dpn't believe she is a CM herself, therefore I am guessing not crb checked. DS has been going there since August and is now starting to settle and CM always gives big cuddles at end if day etc, but whenever I go there it is just chaos. There never seems to be any organised chaos or activities. They all seem to be doing there own thing, watching TV, playing computer games, and DS is usauly playing by himself in the conservatory when I arrive ( 1 hr early unannounced today incedently- not to catch her out or anything just forgot to mention that I was finishing work early). I just don't know how to appraoch the subject with her. I did say on Thursday how busy it seemed and asked her what her limits are and she just said 'well technically 4 under five and shrugged. I guess I should have said something then, but withher friend sitting there I felt a bit awkward and just left.

OP posts:

S88AHG · 15/01/2007 23:11

Maybe call her and ask her if you can pop round for a chat to discuss a few things when she has no children. So you can ask the questions you want without anyone else being there. This is something that will niggle away at you unless you do something now. I am a CM and understand how difficult it must be to approach a CM about things like this but I am sure she will be understanding

nannynick · 16/01/2007 07:14

Can you confirm the ages of the minders own children, as there is a mismatch between your two messages.

Message 1 said, 3 and 6 of her own and your son age 3.
Message 2 said, believe at least one of the 7 year olds is hers and her 3 month old baby.

What country are you in? As I only know well the rules for England.

"she just said 'well technically 4 under five and shrugged." - this sounds wrong. Childminders, in England at least, are not usually allowed more than 3 under 5's. There can be exceptions to this, so it is vital that you see the Childminders registration certificate, plus registration certificate of anyone else working on the premises.

If in England, you can often find the registration certificate online at Ofsted.gov.uk - enter the childminder's postcode in the Parents/Search for Daycare/Childminder section. Then match the minders registration reference number with those shown in the list.

Are you dissatisfied with the care your son gets?

franyfroo · 16/01/2007 13:29

I am allowed 6 under 5 with an assistant.
4 under 5 on my own as I have siblings.
Usually its 3 under 5 and 3 over up until 8 and then there is no limit (unfortunatly) I see minders with loads of over 8s, don't know how they do it!

just because her mother is crb checked does not make her an assistant (diferent form) so she should never be alone with the mindees.

I would have a word, you can check her registration details online if you have her number.

Rubybees · 16/01/2007 13:32

As my son is in full time education at 4years he counts as an over 5, maybe she meant this?

Original poster

asadkins · 17/01/2007 09:32

Her own kids are 3.5yrs and 7yrs. Her 'friend' brings at least two kids they are about 7 and 3 months.

OP posts:

saltire · 17/01/2007 14:16

I'm a bit confused with the children thing as well.
She has 1 under 5 of her own, plus your DS, plus one other under 5. Is that all? If so that's the correct number of under 5s she can have.
If she has more than 3 aged between 5 and 8 ( ithink is that right for England?) then she is over her numbers.
As for the visitor. I often have my friend round with her little girl, she plays with mindees. She is not CRB checked and no one has ever made any mention of needing visitors to be CRB checked to me

dmo · 17/01/2007 14:22

dont need to be crb checked if she is just visiting and you dont leave the children on their own with her

saltire · 17/01/2007 14:28

Well that's what i thought, but asadkins seemed to think that visitors should be CRB checked, and someone else said that their sister and SIL were CRB checked because they came round with their children to play with mindees

dmo · 17/01/2007 14:33

didnt think they did unless they come round every day all day

KaySamuels · 17/01/2007 14:45

Hi my sister and sister in law just happened to be crb checked for other reasons (and so I have therefore mentioned it to mindees parents to put them at ease), I wouldn't expect all my visitors to have one! As dmo says as long as visitors aren't left to care for mindees alone it shouldn't really matter if they are checked or not. Think it's more an issue of trust here ad communication issues.

saltire · 17/01/2007 14:57

sorry kay, i misunderstood, i though you had got your sister CRB checked so she could come and visit. I did think it was a strange thing to do.
If the OP really doesn't trust her CM, or her friend then she needs to discuss it with her

lmcalder · 18/01/2007 20:59

I have a friend over for coffee once a week with her two children. I have introduced her to any parents if she is there when they pick up. I also say in my contact books if we have had a visitor. My house was busy today as another friend dropped round with her daughter.

I think it is unreasonable to expect all visitors to be crb checked as surely you trust and respect your cm's judgement? If not then perhaps you should reconsider the arrangement?

You are correct that you are paying your cm - however she is providing you with a service - she is not an employee - it is her home afterall. All cms need contact with other adults (cm can be very isolating)- this does not have to be other cms. However I would not have arranged visitors more than twice a week.

I think that you are right to be concerned whether or not your cm is over her numbers. I think you should have a quiet discussion with her - with no kids around.

Once you are clear of all the facts you will be in a better position to see what is going on.

I emphasise my open door policy and really hope a parent would discuss concerns about me with me before condeming me. At the end of the day your cm cares for the person most precious to you. If there is no trust between either parties then the arrangement should not continue.

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