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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

childminders - can i have your opinions please?

69 replies

nailpolish · 26/01/2005 09:28

bit long, sorry

2 yrs ago my dd started at a childminders when she was 6 mths old. at that time the childminder had another little girl (who was 18mths) and also 3 of her own children (the youngest is 8 yrs old). a yr ago the childminder told me the mother of the other little girl was pg. so was i, we were due the same wk. i was a bit worried cos that meant that when our babies were born, eventually the childminders would have

a 3 and a 1/2 yr old
my dd, 2 and a 1/2 yrs
2 babies, both 6 mths

i was worried because i thought it would be too much for her, and also is it within guidelines?

anyway, it transpired that the other family (who live in a different village) had decided to send both their children to a nursery nearer to their house. i was quite glad.

but yesterday my childminder told me that they had become to not like the nursery, and they were looking to move to this village (apparently the school is better) so could they change their minds again and now bring the 2 children? i am very worried, this family has messed my childminder about and i dont know if she will be able to manage all the children, especially 2 6 mths old

am i worrying over nothing? is it within legal guidelines?

if she cannot cope, will my 2 children be the 1st to go, since the other child was there before any of my 2?

should i tell her how i feel or will she be annoyed?

thanks for reading

ps the other 2 children will be going full time, my 2 will be going 2 days a week

she also looks after 2 primary school age children after school, who she goes and collects

the other thing is the 3 and a half yr old goes to a playgp in the village they live in just now, and my childminder doesnt drive, so they have asked my childminders husband if he will pick her up at 3 every day. is this allowed? (its none of my business i know, just wondering)

thanks again

OP posts:

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KatieMac · 26/01/2005 11:48

off to do luch for my mindees - they are spoilt today as only 3 of them and Dh & I are both in today.....

RTKangaMummy · 26/01/2005 11:50

I dont know KS

dont mind older children

so contracts not issue

DS only has one friend at time

Space in car would be issue though.

I finish work at 4.15pm at latest

current mindee goes home lunchtime anyway

RTKangaMummy · 26/01/2005 11:51

NP who do you thisnk CM prefers as a family?

Original poster

nailpolish · 26/01/2005 11:58

i think her and i have become quite good friends

id like to think so anyway

mrs x is pretty scary, she is very critical of others people methods of bringing up children (ie me) and is very strict, not like CM at all. she has messed CM around a lot, she told her one day on the phone 'ive decided to take my children to a nursery you wont be seeing them again' then she changed her mind and went back crawling. CM was personally upset.

plus she is always late which i think is out of order

but she does pay CM full time

OP posts:

RTKangaMummy · 26/01/2005 12:07

I would deffo go with your DD

The worst thing for childminders is lateness

I would not mind part time either

Do you think there are enough people around that could fil her other spaces or are you in really remote villages?

How did she mind when Mrs X left?

was she struggling with money?

Original poster

nailpolish · 26/01/2005 12:15

there is a fairly big demand here for spaces, i know that CM has had a few call lately

when mrs x left, she was upset, because mainly she was attached to the toddler (as anyone would be!)

i asked her at the time would she take any more children and she said 'nah, probably not'

i was quite glad. you like to think of your children in a nice, quiet environment with a lot of attention

i dont think she especially needed the money although she did miss it cos it was FT

ive been thinking about saying to her

'im not really happy about this arrangement, im a bit worried that it will be a lot of work and you end up telling me that you cant take my dd's any longer'

what do you think?

OP posts:

Bozza · 26/01/2005 12:17

But nailpolish if she goes with them and they leave again she will be loosing out. At least you are a safe bet. Pity we don't live near you - I work Tues, Weds, Thurs and have a 3yo and 8mo.

Original poster

nailpolish · 26/01/2005 12:18

yes that is a pity

thanks bozza

so do you think i should say something to her?

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Original poster

nailpolish · 26/01/2005 12:19

omg bozza that would be so perfect!

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Original poster

nailpolish · 26/01/2005 12:19

sorry, had to mention it twice

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RTKangaMummy · 26/01/2005 12:22

I wouldnt say it will be alot of work because you are kind of saying you dont think she can cope

but you could ask what the authorities have said about taking Mrs X baby because you were thinking that they would write to you asking for your permission?

Good news about her not worried about filling spaces.

DO you think she is being bullied into taking Mrs X?

If so she could use Ofsted/scot version as an excuse not to take mrs x back again

Bozza · 26/01/2005 12:23

Think that might be a good starter for the conversation and see how it goes from there. But see what the childminders say.

Original poster

nailpolish · 26/01/2005 12:27

that sounds good rtkm, you are right about what to ask her. i could say something about the next inspection

i also havent got a new contract with her yet so i could start from there

i think she is either being bullied or is just very soft at heart

OP posts:

RTKangaMummy · 26/01/2005 12:36

I am a bit of a soft touch with parents as well

When I had to say no to a family because they were always late it took me ages to pluck up the courage to tell them that I had to say couldnt do them anymore.

I would deffo talk about contract first because it shows that you are serious about staying with her and DD2 will need her own contract anyway.

Here anyway you need separate ones for w]each child well I will do anyway when mindee baby arrives in spring.

seb1 · 26/01/2005 12:42

Childminders in Scotland are regulated by care commison with care ratio 1:6 under 12 years, no more than 3 not attending primary with no more than 1 under 1 year, with consideration also given to any children up to 16 in the house. Note Scotland also has different care standards to England and Wales and different criminal checks ie Disclosure Scotland

hth

Original poster

nailpolish · 26/01/2005 12:44

hi seb

are there any exceptions, do you know?

my CM said it would be ok if all parents agreed, but i dont think she is right

OP posts:

seb1 · 26/01/2005 12:50

Only in special cases see page 32 national standards and must be granted by care commission

Original poster

nailpolish · 26/01/2005 12:59

thanks

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Original poster

nailpolish · 26/01/2005 20:46

i saw her today and had a wee chat. she says that she is not worried, because as her dh finishes work at lunchtime, she will have him to help out with bits and bobs. i suppose she is right, he can do dishes and stuff so she can concentrate on the babies. i feel less worried too as she has contacted the council etc to let them know, and she thinks they will be calling me. at least i know she is being above board. she says the x family will not have any more chances to muck her about.

she was carrying a big bunch of flowers from mrs x, a thank you (!!!)

will just have to wait and see how it goes. we are going to draw up new contracts next week

thanks for all those who have posted

im still a bit worried, but not as much

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