my CM just let me down

[Liz79]

So, last August when I was still pregnant I booked a CM. A woman I know through work and used to work with. Very happy with arrangement. Rang in January to give DDs name and DoB, confirm still Ok for September when I plan to go back to work. I ring her today to see about her and DD getting to know each other in plenty of time. She says "oh well, there's been some developments you see". She is going back to a previous career, she didn't tell me this as she assumed I didn't want her anymore, because I haven't spoken to her since January, and we haven't signed anything. In fact before she decided to rejoin previous career, she gave my DDs place to another baby and she has since let that mother down too. I am soooo annoyed, should I have spoken to her more? When should we have signed something? Should she have waved document in my face months ago? I thought 2.5 months before returning to work would be plenty.

Also what do people think about this ofsted report here

You should really have signed a contract, you don't have a leg to stand on now.

The ofsted report is not great. She only got satisfactory's, and the recommendations are very basic and should be in place already.

Find someone else, it's looks like a blessing in disguise to me.

I think you've had a lucky escape. The other mother sent her baby to childminder and then after settling in now has to yank her DD and find other care. Much worse than finding out before you start.

As annoying as this is, everyon (including childminders) has a right to change careers, with the appropriate notie of course.

I don't expect any recompense etc from her, I just feel very let down and annoyed. I have been thinking I've had a lucky escape.

How do I find a great childminder?

ask on here! where are you and what do you need? lots of cm's looking for work!

Where are you?

Maybe someone can recommend a CM

We're in Carlisle, anyone?

The OFSTED report above is of a Cm recommended by another CM. Sounds good, except she has "spaces coming out of her ears" (why) and she is pregnant with twins, due new year. She works with another CM and 1-2 assistants. Wondering why she has spaces and what will happen when she is heavily pregnant and when her babies arrive.

I live in West Cumbria, can I help. I think im great , although Ofsted only think im good with potential outstanding.

The childminder could have vacancies due to lots of reasons

I work in a group and just recently we have had
2 maternity leaves (so children dropped their hours)
3 starting school
2 moving house
& a redundancy

so it can happen through no fault of the minder

But I haven't read the report

please CAT me(if you can)

I don't CAT!

Do you know anyone in Carlisle that's good coolj? We both work in the city and live here.

Sorry Liz, dont know any personally, just know some around here. Good luck finding one though.

I don't condone what this CM has done to you but as for the report. Was this her 1st inspection? I only ask because most CMs get satisfactory for their 1st inspection. Ofsted tend to treat our "homes" as if they are nurseries and expect us to have the same policies/procedures/countless paperwork. Unfortunately I also got a satisfactory even though I don't know one person who would agree. It's mainly all the missing (and mostly unnecessary) paperwork which can bring down a CMs Ofsted result even if they are the most wonderful CM. Most of the paperwork I didn't have, I wasn't even made aware of and having been a Nanny for so many years, it didn't cross my mind to have so much paperwork.

However this CM has let you and the other lady down so I agree with the other posters, "you've had a lucky escape" as she would probably make a habit of letting you down and it's not worth the risk.

It's a shame you don't live near me as I have vacancies coming up

Best of luck! I'm sure you will find a wonderful CM. Just remember to take the Ofsted result with a pinch of salt . I would go with my instinct.

Childminder was registered in May 2006. Inspection report is from inspection that took place in early November 2006. So it was the first inspection, and it is now 18 months+ old, so I would expect that things will have changed. As they have been recommended to you by another childminder... visit them and see for yourself, don't rely on the Ofsted report.

Registration Conditions explains how many children can be present, when an assistant is present.

What will happen when the twins arrive is a potential problem. It could also be a major factor in my view with regard to why she has vacancies, as parents may have switched to another childminder, as this childminder approaches their maternity leave period.
Visit them, see what they are like for yourself, and ask them your questions.

That sounds annoying re planned CM but re the new possible one you're looking at.

I think the CM, care and play described in the report sound quite good and would discuss the important things that are mentioned in the report - consent for trips out etc. The criticisms made are things which are easily put right and she may have done so already, or about paperwork.

I'm trying to work out your daughter's age from what you've said and assume she'll be just under 1 when you want her to start but over 1 when CM's twins arrive. She has assistants. She doesn't have any other under 3s does she? - her own or mindees, that is (that could be a problem I think, you're only meant to have 3 under 3).

This one sounds worth meeting and chatting - trust your instinct whether it's reassuring or you have more concerns.

thanks everyone

DD is 6m old at present. I think one of my first questions will be what happens when your babies arrive!

don't want to give out too much info on here
liz79 but i am in carlisle too and might have info to help you
do you have a hotmail addy or some form of making contact?

my email is my name so don't want to put it, how do you cat?

I thought that report was fine. She was only picked up on paperwork and not carrying out a fire drill (have you done that in your home with your own children- I certainly haven't).

But then I never pay that much attention to Ofsted as I think their inspections are barking (especially of nurseries and CM's) I believe my eyes more than their reports.

Can a dire CM have a really good ofsted report?

Don't know. I know a dire nursery that had an outstanding ofsted (because the report was done whilst someone else was owner/manager).

Yes Liz - I know a dire 'outstanding' childminder. As I always say on these posts, the inspection report isn't worth the paper it's written on. If you can talk the talk on the day it doesn't matter what you do for the next three years

Yes, a dire childminder can have a brilliant report, and a brilliant childminder can have an appalling report. I know several examples of both.

Getting "satisfactory" does not necessarily mean that the childminder isn't an earth mother - so much of the judging process is down to paperwork.

I always tell parents not to judge a CM by the Ofsted report only, and to visit and make a more informed decision after that.

It's not true that newly registered minders only get satisfactory. I am a support minder and all mine have got good, bar two, who got OUTSTANDING!

"Can a dire CM have a really good ofsted report?"

Oh yes.

My first CM had a fantastic report saying all the amazing things she did with the children and their parents. When I contacted ofsted to point out that she didn't actually do any of these things and had in fact broken several of their key guidelines they were not at al interested. As far as they were concerned she had ticked all their boxes.

My second CM was a wonderful lady who has a natural talent for childcare but no interest in paperwork so her report was pretty awful.