What do you think about this childminder?

[itneverrains]

What would you think if you went to a childminder's house and a) it was dirty (I don't just mean untidy/a bit unclean - i mean smelly and dirty) b)family members were smoking in the same room as monded children C) the children seemed to be given very little stimulus.

Due to B , I wouldn't use them... but I'm sure there are other people would would.
Point A is hard to qualify, as people have differing views on level of dirt/smell.
B is easier, either the house is smoking or non-smoking.
C is also a little tricky, as people will have varying views on how much interaction/stimulus there should be.

Report them to Ofsted immediately, it is illegal to smoke around minded children and also a dirty house is a risk to the children.

I would never leave my child anywhere like that, and as a childminder it fills me with rage to know that someone treats children like that.

If you need Ofsteds complaint number then just say and Ill post it up once I find it!

Thanks nannynick. I'm not a cleaning queen by anymeans but the house looks and smells unclean, the floor was filthy and there were babies crawling on it! I thought that childminders are not allowed to smoke in the same room as the children?

How do you know this CM? That might help me form a better opinion of what I would do if I found a, disgraceful, childminder such as this.

Lucy

The thing is that the CM is very busy and the parents MUST see that the house is dirty. I don't know about the smoking.

I do not want to 'say' to much for fear of being recognised in RL. I will say that it is no through me wanting to use her.

"the CM is very busy" - clearly her clients don't mind the situation.

I have no intention of reporting her to Ofsted, a) I have no faith in Ofsted b) The children's parents must see the dirt c)It could put me a in a difficult position.

I understand. However, whether I wanted to use her or even if she is just a family memeber/friend, I would have to report her to Ofsted I'm afraid, as I doubt you would be able to alert the parents of the children in her care, as you prob don't know them. I would want to know about the smoking issue, and I'm a smoker! Smoking indoors when you have children is a HUGE no no! The parents will no doubt be aware of the dirt/mess when they drop off and pick up, so that's up to them to comment on with the CM, but I doubt very much they would know about or be happy with the smoking. What a rotten situation.

Thanks cupofteaplease. It has been playing on my mind but for the reasons stated, I'm not going to report it - it is compliacted. I just wanted other people's view.

Out of interest, would anyone be happy with this situation if they liked/trusted the CM?

Is this childminder registered?

When you say 'babies', is there more than one under 1yr old there at once?

Wouldn't use, would definately report.

Yes, she is registered. No, I mean over 1 under 2.

The parents must be able to smell the smoke on the children's clothes.

I wouldn't use a CM that did any of A,B and C BTW.

I don't know. Prehaps they know or/and smoke themselves.

Well im not sure she is actually breaking any ofsted rules.

I would imagine the parents can work out she smokes, has a dirty house and doesn't do much with the children. If their are happy with that, what can you do.

My thoughts exactly.

I know I am probably going to get shot down for saying this, but personally I think that you are being very selfish and irresponsible not reporting the CM to Ofsted.

Smoking in the house when there are mindees present is ILLEGAL. The poor mindees.

Whether it is complicated or not, you really should be reporting her.

Is it really illegal to smoke with mindee's present?

I don't smoke, so really have never looked into it, but I have never heard that it is.

Against ofsted rules yes.

CMs or any other adults who live in the cms home must not smoke in a cm area, or in front of the mindees at any time.

it is in the national standards - no smoking.

the parents will see the dirt and smell the smoke and if you know c/m as a friend/relative perhaps if she wasn't having visitors during working hours she'd be doing more with the kids? errr that sounded like i was having a go - i'm not but i don't have visitors while i'm working - friends and family know and understand this.

It is definately illegal to smoke in the house when mindees are present. You also need to keep your home to a certain cleanliness standard. I wonder what her grading is (that's if she's actually registered?).

i know its hard but issues like this need reporting. keepin children healthy and safe is everyones bussiness! alsoi hope those vistors are safe too.

Did you check her out, was she CHB, first aid checked and Ofsted registered beforeyou employed her?

Why would you be in a difficult position?