OFSTED thread - this is for chit chat about the thread - ADVICE NEEDED about how to proceed..

[bloodsuckingLOONEY]

Thought I'd start this to keep the other thread for proper feedback

Right.....I'm knackered....I've set up a group on Facebook here and have searched for Childminder, Childcare groups etc....even came across one for parents who use childcare. I've basically posted on LOADS of group walls and asked them to come and join us....not sure if it will do the trick but thought it was worth a try!

Now....how do we proceed? Obviously this will be sent to OFSTED and I'd like to do a strong covering letter to put with it and request a reply. I don't want my name to be known with them so was THINKING about seeing if my dad would be a ???? (mush for brains can't think of the word I want) and have his details for them to reply back.

So....who else do we contact? Local MP's were mentioned....I'm happy to send to mine. But how do we get lots of MP's round the country covered???

Also, other suggestions???

My brother recommended contacting local newspapers, radio stations etc - get the story out there - we all feel strongly, what do you think????

Off to play battleships with little'un as my eyes have gone funny from all this

Would love to hear all suggestions!

Thanks

Hi Looney, can't help much how to proceed with things but I have an idea about contacting local MP's. If we find out which minders are from which area on here (we have a rough idea who's where), if a minder from each area were to give you their e-mail addy, would you e-mail them the letter/list back which can then either be printed off and poste to our local MP's or we can e-mail them directly. I would be willing to do this for my area. HTH.(and hope that makes sense)

Good idea - I'm in Reading, Berks and could send to Reading borough and Wokingham borough.

Anyone else volunteering?

Thanks for the idea

List of MP's contact details

Oh Nick.....the king of links....you are a STAR!!!!

Thanks so much.....I'm actually happy to do all this so don't worry, I'll whack out loads of emails my end!

Do you think tho' that it would have more impact if we all sent them out?

or do you think they would just delete them after the 2nd or 3rd or 4th.....

Oh I see.......what, lots of voluteers for emailing ALL of them so each one gets loads of copies.....is that what you mean???

Just added photo's and captions to the Facebook group - I'm enjoying this, I'm having a bit of a p*ss take at the moment hehe

Yep that's what I meant

Oh.....I like it a LOT

Volunteers?????

Me!! Am being very pro-active today still gets me out of vomiting DDs way!

Ive joined! xx

I'm happy to send a letter to my MP, but I'm not sure I want my name banned around, especially since I'm leaving. I don't want my families to get wind of it, until I say so and I don't want my 'career' to end badly. I could ask another minder to do it on my behalf though, I suppose. Unbelieeeevably dispondant Mo today, I'm afraid.

Good point mo......I was just thinking about not wanting my name used and although I can set up a random email address which wouldn't identify me - not sure everyone knows how to do that. Why you not happy today hun?

cheers kkey21

Mo, I understand what you mean about your name being bandied around, I wonder if there's anyway it can be changed on the thread (if that's also where you're thinking of?) or ask MN headquarters if it would be possible to remove that part of your message?

I can't set up a random E-mail addy either, and also concerne about my name etc.

Yes.....we need to think some more about this!

Ok....I could email them from the group and just re-send and re-send until we hear back??

Hang on - surely we shouldn't send the thread

It would be far better to edit the entries and send a list created anonymus individuals within various groups (eg MN, FaceBk) attributing them to the relevent group

Then get them sent out to all the MP's via email (from a dummy account which can be accessed for the replies)

Don't you think?

Partly reading all the rubbish that CM's have to put up with these days. Pre Ofsted, life was carefree and fun. One of my mindees favourite trips at Christmas time was B&Q to look at all the Xmas decs! Who has time to just spend an hour brousing around in there, pressing buttons and singing and dancing with the little snowmen? No-one. You wouldn't do it with your own kid, I wouldn't, you haven't got the time. CM's used to have the time, but Ofsted would strike you off if you told them you take them to B&Q! God that sounds so ridiculous. You're probably thinking what sort of CM takes kids to B&Q, but I promise you, they used to look forward to it! Have you ever stood dancing in B&Q? Its very liberating!

Also, got to a bootfare at 7am this morning with Kbear and between us we raised £42. Gutted. All is not lost though, I know my cards will sell, I'll be sending all parents off to work this week with a bundle to sell! It was bloody freezing too, my feet were solid until I got home at 2pm! Really, really tired now and couldn't even eat my roasties that DH loving made for me. I just need to sleep, ignore me. I'll be backup to strength tomorrow, I'm sure!

I've just realised sending from the group was not a good idea, also some people are worried about names on these threads - do you think we could get away with just putting key 'quotes' or do you think they'd think it was made up???

As well as all this, why not set up a petition on the Number 10 website? (but you do have to put your name to it, it can't be annonymous.)

Katy - looks like we sort of thinking the same however I hadn't thought of the groups - great idea

Mo - I think B&Q for xmas things is GREAT FUN, it's what I'd do with my son as a parent but I can't take all the kids there so he misses out - it's not right!!! Sorry about the car boot sale I'm sure they'll sell elsewhere. Yes, it was bloomin freezing even walking round - we went to one this morning and couldn't feel my toes! Hope you feel better tomorrow hun xxx

dylansaunty - GREAT IDEA I'm sure my dad wouldn't mind being the named person!!!