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Paid childcare

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

Original poster

Childminder not ofsted registered - is this a big problem?

66 replies

Toots · 21/09/2008 20:17

Have seen lovely woman with clean bright, secure home to collect DD2 from preschool and DD1 after school 3 days. DD2 didn't want to leave her house when we visited. Both DDs DH and I are going back for another visit tomorrow when the other mindees will be there too. I've talked to the two mothers of her other mindees. Professional women who both recommended the CM unreservedly and had had their children with her for several years.

The CM was previously a registered nanny prior to having her now teenage children. She has neither re-registered nor registered with Ofsted since then. She has answered all my questions and laid out her terms very clearly but doesn't have a set contract - I'm sure she wouldn't mind if we worked one out, though. My husband would be comfortable if she and her household had CRB checks which she is open to. Is there anything I'm not seeing here that is wrong with this arrangement/ set up? She has brilliant references and I get a great feel from her.

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KatyMac · 21/09/2008 20:18

It's illegal & can get her fined and you investigated by social services

navyeyelasH · 21/09/2008 20:20

If she is so fab why isn't she registered? As KatyMac says it's illegal for her to be working in this capacity and also you will not be able to claim childcare vouchers etc.

BoysAreLikeDogs · 21/09/2008 20:21

All well and good that she is a lovely person but, and it's a big but...

No insurance
No recent first aid

Sorry

lou031205 · 21/09/2008 20:21

Not only that, but an individual can't get a CRB check, so she couldn't comply with your stipulation unless she registered with OFSTED. Then, it wouldn't matter if she 'agreed' to be CRB checked, because OFSTED won't register without

PinkChick · 21/09/2008 20:22

..hate people like this!

PinkChick · 21/09/2008 20:22

..hate people like this!

KatyMac · 21/09/2008 20:23

So how is she declaring her income?

So not only is she an unregistered childminder but she is a tax fraud as well - you can go to jail for that

KatyMac · 21/09/2008 20:26

To be blunt

If a child was hurt in her care and needed 24 hour nursing for the rest of the child life you couldn't sue anyone to get money to make that life easier

Her H/H ins wouldn't cover her as what she is doing is illegal

If she had a car crash her car insurance wouldn't cover her because what she is doing is illegal

If she, in the course of administering first aid, made a mistake - no insurance would cover that either

Original poster
Toots · 21/09/2008 20:29

Loud and clear Katymac. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
changingsoon · 21/09/2008 20:29

why on earth would anyone want to leave their child with a person like this. have you looked at registered care??

Trafficcone · 21/09/2008 20:30

And if you wanted to claim tax credits because of your childcare bills you can't, as they only accept registered carers. If she's so marvellous then she should have nothing to fear from the registration process so alarm bells would be going off BIG time for me.

EffiePerine · 21/09/2008 20:32

Also, I'd look into finding someone who is involved in your local CM network: helps in terms of regular training, also in organising larger scale social stuff.

CrushWithEyeliner · 21/09/2008 20:35

OMG NO

why is she not registered? To save declaring it I'll bet

Original poster
Toots · 21/09/2008 20:42

Am busy going back through registered list to contact others. I knew it wasn't right. Glad to know now how wrong it could be.

OP posts:
KatyMac · 21/09/2008 20:43

Where are you - can we find you a MN minder?

Original poster
Toots · 21/09/2008 20:46

Might come back to you tomorrow on this Katymac. Feeling a twit at the moment!

OP posts:
fishie · 21/09/2008 20:47

toots did you ask her why she hasn't registered? i think it is dreadful that she isn't, for all the reasons stated. would you consider reporting her?

KatyMac · 21/09/2008 20:49

It's OK

We get a bit worked up because we work so hard at our profession

If another profession had amateurs like this they would be called cowboys

Good childminder have continuous Professional Development and put a lot of effort into being the best they can be

BoysAreLikeDogs · 21/09/2008 20:49

No toots you are so not a twit, you didn't know the reasons why unregistered care is a bad idea.

ingles2 · 21/09/2008 20:50

Don't feel like a twit Toots... if this is your 1st CM experience how are you supposed to know?
there are lots of lovely cm's on here who I'm sure can give you fab advice.

Original poster
Toots · 21/09/2008 20:51

I didn't. I think I will ask her. And I'll also ask the other parents if they're aware of the insurance situation as that is the most hideous wake up call. As for reporting... I'll mull that one over.

OP posts:
KatyMac · 21/09/2008 20:51
ingles2 · 21/09/2008 20:55

LOL Katy

Original poster
Toots · 21/09/2008 20:56

Cheers BoysAreLikeDogs and KatyMac. I'm aware of the professionalism and ingles2, this is actually my 4th time finding a childminder and all three previous experiences have been great with professional wonderful people - all registered. Just wandered 'off-piste' when a CM who couldn't help passed on the details.

My previous post was to fishie btw.

OP posts:
KatyMac · 21/09/2008 20:57

I am sorry, but when un-registered care comes up we are all very 'pc' and don't actually say what the problem of no insurance really means