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Original poster

Absent CM....Should I tell the parents?

49 replies

FuzzyWuzzyFuzzFuzz · 02/05/2007 19:59

I live near a local CM and she looks after a friends 2yr old.
I have noticed over the last 4 weeks or so that the CM goes out in the daytime when she should be looking after the children, either to walk to the local shops or out in the car but no children with her.

I've also noticed she now has a young baby to look after as well and I'm fairly sure he's there as well.

It maybe that she is leaving the kids with her daughter or DP however they all went out today and I know the 2yr old was in her house all day.

I really don't know what to do. I really want to tell the parents. Thoughts?

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dmo · 02/05/2007 20:00

omg

maisym · 02/05/2007 20:02

call social services

moonstar04 · 02/05/2007 20:03

Exactly OMG

You would have to have firm proof if you was going to consult the parents.

bonkerz · 02/05/2007 20:03

Be very wary about spreading gossip or untruths about this childminder. You do not have the facts. It could be that her partner or other adult living at the property are registered as assistants. My Dh is registered as my assistant and does occassionally watch my mindees while i do school run etc. This is all perfectly normal and ok with OFSTED. Also i have childminder friends who sometimes stay at my house and look after my mindees if i have doctors etc.
Find out the facts. Pop over for a chat? Dont jump to conclusions. Im sure no registered childminder will leave a child alone!

WideWebWitch · 02/05/2007 20:03

Tell the parents if you know them OR anon call to ofsted

WideWebWitch · 02/05/2007 20:04

Actually ignore me bonkerz is right

bonkerz · 02/05/2007 20:04

Just be careful because if you complain to OFSTED and it is proven there is no problem then this complaint stays on the CM record regardless.

maisym · 02/05/2007 20:05

I'd didn't know that Bonkerz - your advice makes sense.

dmo · 02/05/2007 20:07

go onto ofsted website and put in your postcode, all the childminders near your postcode will come up and you can check what her registion says b4 jumping to conclusions, it wont say her name but you will prob figure it out with the discription of her house and family

bonkerz · 02/05/2007 20:08

Im sure if you watched my house sometimes it would look like i leave my mindees alone!

bran · 02/05/2007 20:09

You could ask your friend what the setup is with the CM, she ought to know whether there are registered assistants there or not. If not you could mention that you saw the CM out without children on a particular day, it may be that your friend's child wasn't there that day.

Original poster
FuzzyWuzzyFuzzFuzz · 02/05/2007 20:11

thanks for your quick replies.

bonkerz, how can I check if she's has nominated 'assistants'?

OP posts:
LilyLoo · 02/05/2007 20:12

can understand why you might be concerned but you cannot watch the house 24/7 and maybe in between another adult could have popped in etc. please make sure this is absolutely what it seems before reporting her as it could be the end of the business for her and a lot of distressed parents for nothing.

PinkChick · 02/05/2007 20:12

ring her to enquire as a pretend parent and ask about her set up!

star1976 · 02/05/2007 21:00

Agree with posts, however please make sure that any other adult who may be looking after children is actually registered as an assistant and not just anyone.

Original poster
FuzzyWuzzyFuzzFuzz · 02/05/2007 21:07

how can i find out if there are other people registered with her as 'assistants'? I can't see anything in her Ofsted or registration details.

OP posts:
Katymac · 02/05/2007 21:12

her certificate (which you can find on the ofsted website - with her postcode)

Should say if she works with assistants under certificate of registration

see mine

Katymac · 02/05/2007 21:13

Sorry "conditions of....."

PinkChick · 02/05/2007 21:15

ring her and ask

Original poster
FuzzyWuzzyFuzzFuzz · 02/05/2007 21:35

Thanks so much 4 that KatyMac. Defo no 'assistants' on the Ofsted registration.
So have just been to see the parents concerned and told them. Don't think they were too happy about it.

OP posts:
PinkChick · 02/05/2007 21:45

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

PinkChick · 02/05/2007 21:45

sorry, you did check on ofsted, but i still would have rang first

Genidef · 02/05/2007 21:46

I really find it hard to believe that this woman was leaving the children completely alone. But will be interested to hear the outcome...!

PinkChick · 02/05/2007 21:53

yea me too!

Original poster
FuzzyWuzzyFuzzFuzz · 02/05/2007 22:56

Hi PinkChick, I considered calling her as you said but frankly my questions would have been very specific and I don't want to get too involved. I'm not good at making up stories TBH.

The parents said in the past that sometimes the DP has looked after the children whilst the CM does the school run and they asked them if that was ok even though he wasn't registered. This wasn't a school run and is happening more & more frequently.

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