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Paid childcare

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

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Original poster

Childminding and power cuts.....

12 replies

Tas1 · 16/03/2009 14:51

Over the last 3 weeks we have had 4 power cuts each lasting from 2 - 8hrs. On each occasion I have just carried on as best I can.
I just wanted to check that there isnt some silly insurence/ofsted rule to say that I should'nt have carried on but sent the kids home.
I had no heating, hot water, cooking facilities, lighting or landline phone etc.
I'm sure its fine but just wanted to double check.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

nannynick · 16/03/2009 16:15

Well I suspect Ofsted wouldn't like:
No Hot Water
No Landline Phone

But if you have a garden, then you could have made a fire, and put a saucepan of water on it to make the water warm. You also probably have a mobile phone which may have still worked (if the local mast has it's own power supply).

I expect you should advise parents of the situation and if they decide not to collect their child - you are stuck with the child, and can have lots of fun - children love it when candles are needed to light the way.

nannynick · 16/03/2009 16:21

Actually I can't find much mention in EYFS Framework at all relating to any of that. There is mention about access to Fresh Water - but I guess the cold tap still works. There should be hygienic changing facilities for those in nappies - but no definition of hygienic... so anti-bac spray, handsoap with cold water (or the rub-dry soap stuff) may well be sufficient.

ChippingIn · 16/03/2009 16:22

Blardy Hell... it's amazing the things you have to think of as a CM. I would want a CM to treat my child as they would be treat at home (to me the advantage of a CM over a nursery), but for feck sake Ofsted make that near bloody impossible!!

I expect Nannynick is right about what you 'should' do - but fgs, what kind of a Nanny State (no pun intended) are we creating!?!

Personally, if you were my CM and I trusted you with my child, I would trust you to be able to handle a powercut!! I wouldn't mind if you rang though, to comply with Ofsted, so long as we could have a glass of wine and laugh about the stupidity of needing to

nannynick · 16/03/2009 16:23

However, I would get in touch with your electricity company to claim whatever compensation they are offering. 4 power cuts in 3 weeks isn't very good service.

ChippingIn · 16/03/2009 16:24

You are probably expected to have a separate torch for each child with their name on, a safety vest and a thermos of hot water on stand-by....

KatyMac · 16/03/2009 16:25

Hijack....Nick....Help....

nannynick · 16/03/2009 16:38

Expect the powercuts are not of a long enough duration to be able to claim compensation... typical, you pay for a service and don't get it, yet can't complain... well you can complain but the provider may say it's not their issue (nationalise the power grid, then only one organisation is responsible, so they can't fob us off with excuses for their lack of ability to provide the service) - rant, rant.

ChippingIn - quite agree... ignore the Nanny State (aka Ofsted). They won't know anyway unless someone tells them (which no one is likely to do).

cat64 · 16/03/2009 16:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Ripeberry · 16/03/2009 17:15

Take them out to the library or softplay! Especially if it was cold weather. Not so bad today

Original poster

Tas1 · 16/03/2009 18:43

Im fine about having the children, I just do what I do with my own DCs.
I do just text parents to explain whats happened and that our planned activities may have to change due to the circumstances etc.
I was just realy wanting to check the situation re: insurence/Ofsted etc.
Thanks for your thoughts.

OP posts:

thebody · 16/03/2009 19:56

poor you, I would head to the nearest warm place, be it soft play the library or shopping mall and maybe ask parents to stump up a bit more to cover the costs you incurred if outside your norm. As a parent I would feel that is justified..

Is it me or is Ofsted barking.......

squirrel42 · 16/03/2009 20:56

I'm sure Ofsted would be okay with it anyway. I expect they get lots of nurseries and preschools having problems with boilers etc in the winter - some shut if it's likely to be a several day long problem, others just carry on and make sure the children are wrapped up warm and the older ones do lots of running around like mad things! They might borrow a few portable heaters and boil water to wash hands with, but they cope and Ofsted are happy so long as the children aren't all sat there freezing. So Ofsted should be happy with you as long as you aren't all sat in the pitch dark freezing cold! (Good job the power cuts weren't all in early Feb when it was icy!)

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