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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

do i report her??

34 replies

keelybooboo · 02/04/2009 13:21

I'll keep it brief...

A childminder that i know is looking after 5 children under 4yrs.

I'm pretty sure its a temp thing but still....

trouble is she's a friend

would ofsted ever ok that?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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looneytune · 02/04/2009 13:26

I've had 5 quite often who were 5 and under but when you say UNDER 4 do you mean they are aged 3 or under? If they are aged 4 and at school all day then it's fine as they are classed as over 5 but if they aren't at school all day then she'd need a variation and I've never seen one for 5 in the Early Years age group (but doesn't mean they won't allow - this one I'm not sure about). One thing I do know is that they would never ok any more than 6 aged under 8!

You can see her conditions online if you either know her reg number or can her postcode.

If she's over her numbers then I'm afraid I WOULD report her, friend or not.

Gosh, I do hope no-one thinks I'm over my numbers when I have 6 kiddies aged 5 and under!!! 3 are school age and 3 under OR 2 are school age and 4 are under but have variation from Ofsted!

Original poster

keelybooboo · 02/04/2009 13:30

No they're not at school, 4 are 2/3 and 2 are under a year!

feel awful but can you do it without giving a name?

OP posts:

Original poster

keelybooboo · 02/04/2009 13:30

No they're not at school, 4 are 2/3 and 2 are under a year!

feel awful but can you do it without giving a name?

OP posts:

looneytune · 02/04/2009 13:35

So she has 6 in total who are not at school? I doubt they'd agree to that as a sole childminder - does she work with an assistant? If you know her postcode you could check online but you could phone 08456 404040 and speak to Ofsted about it saying that you want to check her conditions of registration - I would as that's a lot of young ones (I was surprised when they agreed to my 4 under 2's but to have 6 that young is a LOT on her own so I'd be suspicious!)

Original poster

keelybooboo · 02/04/2009 13:40

if i report her then what do you do when she later tells me about it? just seems really bitchy.

OP posts:

HSMM · 02/04/2009 14:11

Ofsted has told me they NEVER do a variation for 5 under 5 (except the full time school children that Looney mentioned). She would also need a variation for 2 under 1. Think about the safety of the children and the lack of insurance rather than your friend ...

looneytune · 02/04/2009 14:17

Agree - she is completely UNINSURED if the mindees aren't within her numbers!

NB27 · 02/04/2009 14:24

Are the children full time or part time, I enquired with ofsted about an overlap I could possibly have if I took on a new child, I gave them the hours I would be doing and showed them that it would only be for 3 months and it was an overlap of 1 hour a day and they agreed to let me mind 4 children. 3 were aged 2 and 1 was 9 months and this was also because 2 were siblings. Luckily mum has deferred going back to work for a couple more months so i didn`t need to go through with it in the end, but there are certain circumstances. What are the hours she has them and what days are they full or part time ?

looneytune · 02/04/2009 14:29

Yeah but 4 is quite normal to be accepted but as HSMM said, Ofsted have said they won't allow 5 and actually, it looks like it's 6 she has! Maybe an overlap of less than an hour might be ok??? but not sure what hours the OP knows they do?

NB27 · 02/04/2009 14:37

If in doubt phone ofsted Im pretty sure theyll let you put the "complaint" in confidentailly they are hot on following confidentiality protocols and they are obliged to investigate any complaints, theyll soon sort out whether or not shes over her numbers and if she has nothing to hide there wont be a problem. Good luck I wouldnt want to be in your position with a friend, its not easy but it is the right thing to do.

Original poster

keelybooboo · 02/04/2009 14:55

I'm pretty sure that she's got another cm's kids whilst the other one is on holiday, think i might e-mail ofsted rather than ring that way i cant blurt out my name accidently!!

OP posts:

Supernanny19 · 02/04/2009 14:56

Why are you going to do that to a friend?

squirrel42 · 02/04/2009 14:58

You can make a complaint and not give your name, but it carries more weight if you give you details and just ask them to keep it confidential. Then they cannot say who raised the concern. With things like being over numbers it could be neighbours/fiends or even strangers in the street who've seen her with a bunch of kids - there's nothing to tie it to you.

Try to be specific about the dates, times and ages of the kids, as well as any specific times she might have been out and about with them. The more details the better they can investigate by checking registers etc.

squirrel42 · 02/04/2009 15:01

Supernanny - caring for more children than you are registered for, so being in breach of your conditions of registration, is breaking the law. Ofsted could (and has in extreme cases) prosecuted people for it.

It's a slippery slope - one extra child, then maybe two or three. The restriction in numbers is there to protect children and ensure their needs can be met, otherwise you'd end up with baby farms.

solidgoldshaggingbunnies · 02/04/2009 15:03

If she's your friend, why not talk to her about it? She might have made special arrangements for overlap or whatever. You might be able to help her manage the situation.
Unless you think she's a moneygrabbing bitch who doesn't give a toss about the children, your first impulse shouldn't be to grass.

HSMM · 02/04/2009 17:30

Have to say ... if it was one of my CM friends, I would speak to them about it before reporting them. I remember going to a meeting once where 2 CMs talked about covering for each others holidays, and said it was allowed as 'emergency care'. They were soon put right

maggi · 02/04/2009 18:30

I know a cm who has a variation for 5 under 5's but works with an assistant that day and doesn't have any over 5's.

geraldinetheluckygoat · 03/04/2009 15:46

yes, if she is your friend, talk to her, it does seem a bit off to report a freind out of the blue like that. I agree that if she is over her numbers , then that is wrong, but also there might be a legitimate reason for this, I wouldn't want to but anyone, let alone a friend through a surprise visit from Ofsted unless absolutely necessary.

thebody · 03/04/2009 18:39

I am sorry Keely but with friends like you who needs enemies... She might be making a very silly mistake and you should talk to her but to report her behind her back is despicable, imo.

Pehaps she has been tempted, like we all can be, because she is short of cash, you report her and she looses her registration... how would you feel??? talk to her first and when you say you are her friend, then be one...

thebody · 03/04/2009 18:43

and Squirrel,would you honestly report a friend without talking to her first, how two faced and underhand can you get.. I am sorry ladies but I am bloody glad you arnt a friend of mine.. disgusting behaviour...

Supernanny19 · 03/04/2009 18:51

I completly agree with you THEBODY i hope i have no friends hiding in the grass

ScottishThistle · 03/04/2009 19:01

I'd have a word with her before even thinking of reporting her.

At the end of the day it's for the children's well being, nobody can look after that many children properly on their own!

looneytune · 03/04/2009 19:02

Sorry, when I came in saying I WOULD report, I was thinking this person was fully aware of what they were doing etc (as had someone like this a few years ago round here!). If you can talk to her about it then that would be much better I agree. Good luck, not easy!

thebody · 03/04/2009 20:09

Thanks supernanny,
you sound normal, cant believe some of the smooth acceptance of going behind a friends back, that some of the posters feel is ok.. what price, 'you could do it anonymously', What are they teaching their own children, I have always told mine to be honest and straightforward and never lie.. what an example in sneaky behaviour they are setting.. is there a EYFS sticker for that...

Original poster

keelybooboo · 03/04/2009 20:57

you are right, i didn't do it in the end - i did talk to her though after reading the posts.....

i actually feel sick at myself for thinking about reporting her

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