school misunderstanding!

[steph29]

i'm a childminder and i have an agreement with the after school kids parent that they will walk home after school with my daughter (she's 10) they are 7 and 9 and the 9 yr old is in my daughters class. Sometimes i go and meet them anyway if i don't have babies sleeping at that time, but they don't expect me.

Today the 7 yr old came out of school late and the other 2 had waited ages and assumed they'd missed her so wandered off to look for her so of course she came out and they weren't there. They usually have a specific place they meet up to walk home together but once in a while they miss each other.

Another parent who knows the childrens mother saw the 7 yr old on her own and waited with her till the others found her, but then this woman had a go at my 10 year old daughter and said i shouldn't be looking after the kids and if it happened again she would report me.

I told their mum straight away and she was disgusted and said she would have a word with her. i think i know who it was from the discription and i'm very tempted to have words when i see her.

I can understand her concerns and wouldn't have minded if she said something to the parent or school they would have explained the situation she obviously thinks i'm just a bad childminder which has upset me, but i'm livid that she approached my daughter and slagged me off to her.
I don't want her slagging me off to other parents and getting a bad reputation as i work very hard and all my parents are happy.
with my service. Should i say something to her?

steph29 was it your suggestion or your mindee's parents suggestion to allow them to walk home supervised by your 10 yr old? If the former then I wouldn't be concerned (although it wouldn't be my choice) if the latter than I would be very concerned. Once you find a good CM you will bend over backwards to keep them and that can mean being amenable to things you wouldn't ideally choose to do.

I think the walking home thing is okay, parents asked for it right?

I nanny and my MB will let her 8yo walk home by herself once every now and then on a Friday. I personally don't let her do it but if her Mum says then we both wait downstairs to see her as she comes in. It's a route she knows well and that is frequented by loads of parents, I see nothing wrong with it. Obviously we will panic if she's not home by half three because that would have given her fifteen minutes to do a 5 minute (tops) walk. A loves it, she likes having independance and it makes her feel good. We also let her older brother (11) take her out for an hour or so to play with his friends.

Kids do need their independance and as long as they are streetwise there is nothing wrong with it

As long as the CM has it documented and signed that the parents wish their child to come home this way, then Ofsted will be fine with that, it's the parent's wishes, not the CM doing this underhandedly for an easy life.

And to think that Ofsted threw their hands up in horror when I suggested that I stand by my car 100 yds from school and watch the minded children walk in through the school gate. They seemed to think I should have them all on reins, or something! I stood my ground and they caved in

marypoppins is right - as long as its in writing Ofsted will be unable to do a thing about it as its parental wishes

yes children need independence but 7yrs is too young to walk home alone, even if it is 3mins

i would love a childminder like you, 3 mins at 7 is fine! doesnt ofsted just see you as starting to 'mind' from when the child arrives at your doorstep and its the parents responsibility prior

AS I said above the official line is that as long as you have permission signed in writing then it's fine as long as Ofsted are concerned. What others think is immaterial really, the parents of this child want this to happen.

Littleducks, yes it would be that the parent's are responsible, thats part of what they would be singing.

I think it also depends on the child/ren and their maturity levels. I played out on the street with the kids from the road when I was younger, my road was really busy, down the road from the police station and backed onto the main town centre area. If a kid is streetwise it's fine.

I don't think 3 minutes with no roads is too much for a 7yo. My 8yo does 15 minutes- 3 roads, including one with traffic lights and two with lollipop ladies (though one is often absent). I also let my 12yo and 8yo go into town on the bus and spend the morning there: the idea is that she is responsible for his behaviour and he is to call for help if her disability plays her up. Works fine.

But would definitely get everything in writing if you are a CM.

You need to get it in writing from ofsted that it is okay for the 7 year old to walk home without your supervision. I think it is over 8's that are on the voluntary part of the childcare register where they are allowed to be unsupervised by you with parents permission. I am not sure about the compulsory part, check it out and get it in writing.

Also have you thought of the implications if something was to happen. I am all for giving my own children their freedom, however, I would never allow a child I was minding of those ages to walk home unsupervised by me.

I would be worried that IF something was to happen, and before anyone gives their view on this, this is my view only, the press would crucify you.

They wouldn't care that parents had given permission. You would be reported to be a paid registered childminder who was not there to meet the child at school and allowed your 10 year old to do the job you are paid for.

I know kids don't go missing or get killed on the road or by bolts of lightening every day, but kids are unpredictable, do get bullied, mess about etc etc. Kids dont have to cross roads to get to our school and back, but they do step off the pavement to avoid prams, dogs and kids on bikes and cars speed alongside them. Recently on the way back from school two drunks were causing havoc outside the school, it was scary for the mindees I had with me, let alone what it would have been like if they had been unsupervised. I know, before anyone says how often could that happen or we dont have drunks round here, it only has happened once outside our school but it happened. Is it really worth the risk. Like you say it is only a few mins walk for you.

Sorry I have very strong views on safety.