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.

It definitely is illegal. Since the new legislation came in regarding smoking in places of work, there has been more about it in the news.

I do not smoke btw, but have seen so many things about it. We are even supposed to have 'No Smoking' signs up in our houses too.

Do you know any of the parents? Can you let them know about the smoking?

If you are on speaking terms with the CM can't you say that you thought smoking was illegal around children and isn't she worried that one of her mindees parents will report her to Ofsted?

Maybe the parents are smokers, too, and don't think smoking in front of kids is a big deal? (Parents who smoke wouldn't be able to smell the smoke on their kids, or in the house, either.)

It makes no difference what we think if you're not going to do anything, does it?

EYFS - Statutory Framework, May 2008 edition - Bottom of Page 27.
Smoking
Providers must ensure that children are in a smoke-free environment.
Statutory guidance to which providers should have regard
Providers should have a no smoking policy which ensures that no one smokes in a room, or outside play area, when children are present or about to be present. If, exceptionally, children are expected to use any space that has been used for smoking, providers should ensure that there is adequate ventilation to clear the atmosphere.

cant believe you arent thinking of those poor kids and going to report her!!!

is she a friend of yours or something?

i dont care if the cm is really busy she shud make time to clean up im sometimes cleaning till 8 at night to get ready for the next days kids its her job and the smoking def a no ...

why ask for opinions/advice if you're not gonna do anything about it.

I am in the process of starting to look for a cm, and i would go ballistic if these were my kids.

Difficult or not, If your children were in a situation that you were not happy about and you found out you'd be happy with that then would you.? I think not

[shocked] This sounds awful. Please do something about it for the sake of the kids. Someone has to speak to her about the smoking at the very least.

Just a question so please don't jump on me! but is smoking around mindees illegal? I don't smoke and certainly wouldn't do it. My dh is a smoker and as a CM I have to hav a Smoking policy, stating where and when he will smoke and how I keep it out of reach of the mindees. Luckily he isn't in when children are about and onl smokes outside or in a closed conservatory. If (and I wont let him because of my own LO's) but if he wanted to smoke in the house, would it be illegal?

well isn't smoking in your place of work illegal? Isn't this her place of work?

Guess so! 1 more reason for dh to quit. Any1 successfully convinced a 'happy to be a smoker' dh to quit? Tips please?

my kids told my dh they didn't want him to die of cancer. I didn't put them up to it. (really)

Guilt trip. I like it but don't want to scare ds, got upset when I said daddy had a cough from smoking. He does shout 'Naughty Daddy' when he's smoking though, we'll work up to that one I think!

it was my the 11 yr dd who watches all the public info ads. She hates smoking with a passion, and used to get very angry with him, saying you're being selfish cos if you die young then w'll be alone. (and he's not even her dad, !!)

Thanks for all the replies. I will not being reporting her. Ofsted might do an unannounced visit but will probably take no action. I feel that the parents must know and be happy.There is no point.

Grief! Is there a shortage of CMs in your area? Is she the only one? Or is it because she is the cheapest?
The parents are more to blame than the CM as they are giving her work by letting her look after their children.
I've got my pre-registration inspection on Tuesday and i've been scrubbing everywhere and making everything look really stimulating for children.
My DDs aged 6 and 3yrs are loving it as everything is now in seperate boxes and all laid out, even they are exited.
That CM should be reported as really there should be NO smoking in the house at all.

I don't think there is a shortage, she is cheap but I have heard there are cheaper ones! I agree the parents are more to blame. She is a nice person and I think she probably does not realise the full extent of her wrong doings or if she does, is'nt bothered as the parents are'nt.

By not reporting her, it seems that all the process of going to get registered etc is a waste of peoples time. Imagine if something happened........even a fire.

I would def report it, how do you know they would take no action anyway? They would def watch her. It is quite unfair on other childminders really.

Wind up?!

bradford mum - i think you're right!

sorry but BOLLOCKS!..unless this is a total wind up, she will KNOW what is expected of her as a cm, even if she thinks living like that is acceptable for her and her family!
Ofsted inspections, parent visits!!!...dont know how to take this?..but AYBS????

sorry, , same as last post, but how do YOU know ofsted wont do anything?, have you dealt with them before?, because IME they would come down on her like a ton of bricks! and if you explain the actual probs (smoking/dirt) they 'could' make an unnanounced visit!

you CANT smoke around mindees and MUST state on your initial pre reg inspection wether or not you ARE a smoker...if they say they would 'pop outisde' for a smoke....then who would be watching the children!..lose/lose answer really!?

thing is countpink, op is not gonna do anything about it anyway, so why bother asking.

Bloody selfish if you ask me.