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

alibubbles so that's what I was missing I had never even heard of a support CM until about 6 months into it So I didn't get any advise on what Ofsted like to see. Having been a Nanny and a mother I assumed Ofsted would want to see how great I am with children. Didn't cross my mind to have all the paperwork they seem to want. I know for next time though. This is also a bit annoying as I've still got a year and a half with "Satisfactory" when I know, now I have the paperwork, I would get much higher than that. They're so mean

The paperwork is a pain in the neck,I leave it and get all mine done and up to date in the holidays as I work term time only.

I make post note observations or jot notes in my daily diary as well as the children's diaries, and then do a catch up

I much prefer to spend the day playing with the children, going to the farm, market, etc.

We had a great day watching my chicken pen being built today, lots of "learning" going on - maths, science, nature etc, tongue in cheek emoticon!!) best bit is throwing the woodchip in, smelling it, pitting it in buckets and tipping it out again, and not being told off for making a mess!

So I think we have found a new CM

We have seen two but not yet the pregnant one. The 2 we have seen are both lovely. We are a bit awkward as I am bank staff at the hospital and might do 1 shift 1 week and 5 the next and all different days of the week. The first one wanted me to pay a minimum of 3 days/ week (just under £80) to guarantee the space. Fair enough but a bit too pricey for us, especially if I don't get much work. The other one charges the same hourly rate but is happy to do pay-as-you-go. She has an assistant sometimes who would come if she was upto her numbers. The assistant I think is a SAHM and comes round as and when needed, doesn't do it for the money. I haven't met the assistant but will do if we go with this CM, which I think we will. She has a very good ofsted report here and her paper work appears very comprehensive. She is big into infection control, each child has their own changing mat, face cloth and hand towel. After nappies/toilets she uses alco-gel as well as washing hands (ott?). She has a specific play room which is ace. There is a wendy house which is a ball pit (she cleans the 900 balls each evening ) lots of toys, lots of paintings and messy play. They go to a soft play group which is just for CMs and mindees and the park which is the same as we go to. She provides lots of home cooked food, she has done food hygiene courses and been inspected by environmental health. And she's nice.

and is member of NCMA and local CM group

Sounds great

How do you think she cleans the balls? hose-down or individually alco-geled
please ask her I really want to know now
wonders off muttering why could I never find one like that

recent ofsted too

I love the way she only minds one child yet it says 'the children' thoughout!

thanks for all your help xx

I think it says she only minds one child as she also has her daughter = 2

Ah yes maths!!
Sounds good though