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CM Club: Why does ChildcareLink fail to list all childminders?

5 replies

nannynick · 18/02/2007 09:15

Childcarelink is in my view being used more and more by parents looking for childcare. Yet it appears that it does not list all Childminders... why?

Why would a childminder request that they were not listed on ChildcareLink?

OP posts:
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mumlove · 18/02/2007 09:29

Hi nannynick, I've only just let them include me on the website because I was not happy with them giving out my full name (first and surname) with telephone number and the area I lived in.
I felt that it was a security risk to me and the children as the person then only had to get the phone book out and then they had my address to. Where as if they phoned/went to the CIS to gain info you need to give them info about yourself first to get it.
They finally agree to change my surname to what I call my childminding service.
Sorry it's long.

Ladymuck · 18/02/2007 09:59

See your point, but agree with Nick about using online searches more. Presumably at some point it becomes a choice between being listed online and goign ex-directory or being listed int he phone book and forgoing the online site.

Jackmummy · 18/02/2007 10:39

I thought of that mumlove, so they only have my mobile number... which reminds me I've changed phones! Best give them a ring to update!

nannynick · 18/02/2007 13:54

Mumlove Wrote "Where as if they phoned/went to the CIS to gain info you need to give them info about yourself first to get it."

I don't agree. To obtain a list of Childminders from Surrey CIS, all I had to do was e-mail Surrey CIS asking for the list. They didn't check that any info I had given was accurate.

Now that CIS has agreed to change your listed name to being that of your childminding service, rather than your own firstname and surname... do you feel that is sufficient to stop someone finding out where you live?

OP posts:
ThePrisoner · 18/02/2007 17:56

Childminders can elect not to be on the list as they may only childmind for family members or friends (I know a couple). Some just don't like their details being so freely available (I know a few more!)

I did think twice about allowing my phone number to be on it, as you can have the CIS number on it instead, but decided that it might put parents off ringing me direct in the first place.

I don't like the idea that it is so easy for people to find out exactly where I live. If you think about it too much, we are very vulnerable (mostly women at home on their own), so I try not to (think about it that is).

I also get very cross with the whole system. If parents don't know the postcode of the area they might be looking (near their work, on the route to work, on a particular side of town etc.), then they just end up - in my area - with being sent a list of all the childminders in the whole area. They then have to trawl through pages of addresses and start phoning. Again, if they don't know specific street names of where they're looking, they waste a lot of time on the phone.

The vacancy co-ordinator scheme was scrapped in our area as it was felt that the website worked so well (I think most of the hits on it are from the childminders themselves!) As an ex-vacancy co-ordinator, parents often get given my telephone number by other minders as they think I know everybody, but I'm not allowed to have access to new childminder contact details any more (data protection). So I sound like a complete plank as I know nothing about anything any more.

Parents get somewhat frustrated with the whole thing, and I know that some of them have ended up with choosing a nursery instead.

Oh Nick, what have you started!! One of my pet hates!

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