Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.
Childcare
Unsure about what I overheard this morning
OFSTEDoutstanding · 18/05/2007 13:01
Hi I was at my local toddler group thismorning when one of the mothers was discussing with another one about a school outing that is happening next week. I clearly heard her say 'I hope they don't get back late because I am looking after xxx that day as well.'
She lives in my village and I always see her walking around with other children that are not hers. When I first started going to toddlers she found out I was a cm and quizzed me about becoming one and all that it entailed paperwork etc. A coupleof weeks ago I asked her if she had gone ahead with applying and she said no because too much paperwork involved but I keep seeing her with different children on different days. I think she is minding without being registered and I know that she is not registered because I am the only one in the village at the moment. The question is what do I do about it turn a blind eye or who do I tell?
PandaG · 18/05/2007 13:06
difficult call - it could be that she is simply helping out several friends without pay.
I am a reg CM, but not working as such atm. I regularly have other children as favours though, including those I used to mind.
You could always contact ofsted if you are very uncomfortable about it.
scatterbrain · 18/05/2007 13:15
But I quite often look after friends children - and I am not a childminder !!!
People do favours for each other - no payment changes hands - it's not illegal to look after someone elses child !
What is your real point ?? Are you thinking she is stealing your business, do you have concerns fro the children's safety ?
OFSTEDoutstanding · 18/05/2007 13:19
no scatterbrain I dont think that she is stealing my business I am full and have a long waiting list. I just wanted to get some opinions I dont know if the children safety is compromised or not all I know is I never saw her with loads of kids until she quizzed me but she never got registered. Just wondered if I should do something or not thats all.
Genidef · 18/05/2007 15:58
What exactly would the difference be if she just said, I'm babysitting these children? I'm not undermining your skills relative to hers and the value of training, I'm just wondering. I could ask the girls next door to do a bit of that for example. She should be reporting her income, but as long as she's doing that, I'm not quite sure what the issue is. Report her to whom? If she's advertising as a registered childminder, that's one thing. She is not. But otherwise surely it's the parents' look out whether they're comfortable with her skills and set up. It's not illegal to hire a babysitter.
soak · 18/05/2007 16:10
and if you are not registered and not babysitting between normal baby sitting hours you cant accept reward - even a box of chocs or other parent offering to look after your child in return.
I think having a playmate over to play and have tea is a whole new kettle of fish though so long as it doesnt take you over your numbers...
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