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Original poster

CM Club: Formula made up in advance?

38 replies

Katymac · 03/12/2007 21:11

a)Some parents provide me with bottles of water & powder - I zap in M/W then add powder

b)Some parents provide me with made up bottles to either zap in M/W or in hot water

c)Some give me sterilized bottles and I add water & powder

So based on current advise a & c are fine, but that b is an issue

After gently bringing it up with parents, they have sadi they prefer to bring made-up bottles

How do I deal with this?

It's not best practice, but it is parents decision not to do this

I can't argue or critise them, so what do I do?

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frannikin · 03/12/2007 21:20

Personally I wouldn't feed a child option B, because of the risk of contamination/bacterial growth. Have you given them a copy of current government guidelines?

Say that as a compromise they can give you cartons of milk and sterilised bottles maybe?

What's their problem with you making the bottles?

Original poster
Katymac · 03/12/2007 21:22

Well they fed their last child like that: so did their mum; it never did anyone any harm

I don't want to lay down the 'law' to them - but I am disturbed that I might be endangering the babies

OP posts:
Original poster
Katymac · 03/12/2007 21:23

Do you have a link to the guidelines so I can print them off?

OP posts:
Original poster
Katymac · 03/12/2007 21:39

Sorry Frannikin - I am getting lost - do you know what the guidelines are called

OP posts:
frannikin · 03/12/2007 21:43

"Department of Health and Food Standards Agency revised guidance for health professionals on safe preparation, storage and handling of powdered infant formula"

I can e-mail it you if you like?

LOONEYplayingachristmasTUNEy · 03/12/2007 21:43

Link here

frannikin · 03/12/2007 21:44

Or even e-mail it to you.

Original poster
Katymac · 03/12/2007 21:45

Thanks
I have downloaded it

Do you think parents would consider me rude to give them this? It seems a bit pushy

OP posts:
frannikin · 03/12/2007 21:45

That's what I was trying to link to! Thanks!

LOONEYplayingachristmasTUNEy · 03/12/2007 21:48

Well I knew about these guidelines when I started with double pay baby at 8 weeks old. Her mum is anal about a lot of things (i.e. good and does her research) and decided this is one thing she's happy is ok to continue as she is (made up bottles in advance) because it's more for those who don't sterlise properly etc. We had a long conversation about it and I chose to go with her wishes as she's going to do it at home anyway and like you said, didn't want to be pushy!

Original poster
Katymac · 03/12/2007 21:53

It's very tricky

OFSTED are going to stop it you know

But I'd rather get willing agreement than forced compliance

Doing the best for other peoples children is hard

I was asked to clean teeth today, I did - then I was at the dentist this afternoon and the dental nurse said that I mustn't, it isn't alt all appropriate & the dentist got quite cross as it "isn't my place, I shouldn't have the responsibility".......thinking about it I kinda agree

OP posts:
MaureenMLovesmincepies · 03/12/2007 21:55

You could always write another consent form!

Tell them, these are the guidelines that Ofsted suggest you keep to. You have shown them to them and if they are happy with the way things are done now, then so be it.

LOONEYplayingachristmasTUNEy · 03/12/2007 21:56

Oh FFS, I'm happy to say OFSTED don't allow as that's much easier but the dentist thing.....I do overnight care - should I not brush their teeth? (sorry, I'm getting so fed up with Ofsted, red tape etc, I've decided that unless I think the children are being harmed, I do what the parents want!!)

LOONEYplayingachristmasTUNEy · 03/12/2007 21:57

Good idea of Mo's!! You could cover yourself by telling the parents they have to do a short signed letter saying they insist they bring made up bottles!

MaureenMLovesmincepies · 03/12/2007 21:58

Horray for Looney! Make a whole pile of disclaimer forms and subsitute a topic whenever necessary!

Can you tell I'm getting completely hacked off with Ofsted!

LOONEYplayingachristmasTUNEy · 03/12/2007 22:02

Mo - I used to be all for the rules but I personally find some things a lot harder than others. I find it easier to tell a parent 'I will not feed mindee with xyz (junk) as not fair to other kids' blabla but if the parent has done the research about say formula, and I agree with their findings after research, I'm not going to do it just because Ofsted say!!! I'm beginning to think I'm not cut out to be a childminder from Sept 08 onwards!!!

Original poster
Katymac · 03/12/2007 22:05

I think I feel a policy coming on

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MaureenMLovesmincepies · 03/12/2007 22:12

Trouble is, that is exactly what will happen come September next year. All those people who though they'd do it whilst their kids are still young, will find other work. There's not going to be a place for cm's like us, who quite honestly started doing it, to be at home with our children. I am a bloody good cm, as are you. I have heaps of praise from my parents and people have been coming to me by word of mouth for 10 years. I haven't been on a list since then, but have always had plenty of mindees! Three people have tried to persaud me to stay this last week. Its not going to happen. I will not get consent before I wipe an arse or god forbid, let dh tickle one of my mindees any more!

MaureenMLovesmincepies · 03/12/2007 22:16

How about something along the lines of:

I will keep you informed of any guidelines and advice, that I am informed of by god Ofsted, as I receive it. If you want to take the advice given then fine, whatever, if you don't, then what the hell, lets fly by the seat of our pants and see what happens!' Afterall, its your kid, who am I to argue!

Original poster
Katymac · 03/12/2007 22:17

I might paraphrase that just a tad

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LOONEYplayingachristmasTUNEy · 03/12/2007 22:18

Well, as ds is not still only 4 and baby on the way plus.....main thing.....I LOVE my job, my extended family and ds loves all the mindees too - I'm going to continue but to a point do things MY way. Ofsted are unlikely to know about these tiny things like I give medicine to a sick child if needed a parent is ok - without getting a form signed first!!! And if they fine out somehow and get rid of me then I look for something else but it would be a shame as I know I'm a valued childminder, it doesn't make me BAD because I bend the rules from time to time!!!

MO, I wish you weren't stopping but tbh, I can't blame you!!!

LOONEYplayingachristmasTUNEy · 03/12/2007 22:18

Well, as ds is not still only 4 and baby on the way plus.....main thing.....I LOVE my job, my extended family and ds loves all the mindees too - I'm going to continue but to a point do things MY way. Ofsted are unlikely to know about these tiny things like I give medicine to a sick child if needed a parent is ok - without getting a form signed first!!! And if they fine out somehow and get rid of me then I look for something else but it would be a shame as I know I'm a valued childminder, it doesn't make me BAD because I bend the rules from time to time!!!

MO, I wish you weren't stopping but tbh, I can't blame you!!!

LOONEYplayingachristmasTUNEy · 03/12/2007 22:19

Mo - love it

Hennipenniinapeartree · 03/12/2007 22:20

Katy, I have to say that I also agree with your dentist, what would happen if mindee was to develope dental cavities despite us brushing after breakfast? where would we stand if parents decided that it was down to our poor brushing? I don't brush mindees teeth for that reason (bad minder- although I only have one mindee that has breakfast with us, parents have never mentioned it so neither have I)