Childminder reported to Ofstead involuntarily!

[aliperi]

Hi I have a BIG problem

I'm happy with my childminder. However, I did raised with her a concern and she belittled it....

I phoned Ofstead to ask what should I do? and they say it is their duty to investigate and so they are going to take it further even though I didn't want them to!

My childminder is going to know it's me as I'm the ony one that complained.

My concer is she is childminding in a different house to the one she is registered in and she has lodgers living there. I don't like the idea of my child being with people I don't kno and they all have keys to the house while the kids are there they can come in an out.

What will happen next? I feel awful now...but I wasn't happy with her response and thought I would ask Ofsted if it was 'normal'

Tell us where you live, maybe someone here has a vacancy

Cambridge city. I phoned all registered CM yesterday and there is only 1 person with 1 vacancy. If anyone knows anyone please let me know

you absolutely did the right thing

people coming into contact with your child should be police cleared

I hopw OFSTED have paid her an unannounced visit

if she is using different premises for those wjich she is registered for she will not be insured

childminding must be good, if she can buy 2 bloody houses!

You are completely in the right - I am now a registered childminder and also a parent. My little boy was with a childminder as a baby and we had an "honesty" issue where she hadn't exactly lied but equally hadn't told the truth - I wasn't comfortable and moved ds out - I found an excellent emergency childminder whilst I looked for something more permanent - help is out there!

Where do you live?

You might be able to find a CM who will have a space from September - lots of spaces get freed up at the start of the school year.

Ofsted would have to inspect the other house, plus do CRB checks on anyone over 16 years living there - I doubt they'll be happy with lodgers!

I hope you find another CM soon.

IMO parent's references should always be taken with a very large pinch of salt. We all like to think that we are doing the best for our kids so it is quite hard to say that the person we chose to look after our kids was anything other than fantastic. I sang the praises of our first CM for quite a qhite before I was forced to acknowledge that she was a mad woman who should not be trusted .

Current CM is of course absolutely fantastic

growingup OMG I wonder if it's the same Cm was she in Newmarket area? hope she doesn't use this website!

Totally agree. She should not be minding in unregistered premises. Your child and other minded children will not be insured whilst in her care. All over 16's in household need to be crb checked (including cm's own children). Check out www.childcarelink.gov uk or www.childcare.co.uk for childminders in your area.

It's a bit late now, but OP - would it not have been better to go to her childminding co-ordinator first?

Thanks MrsMerryHenry but had no idea the childminding co-ordinator even existed, my CM has never explained what to do if we had a concern, so I thought the thing to do was have a chat with her 1rst and if still not happy then ask Ofsted. I didn't want to put a complain just ask if it was within the rules to have lodgers, but as they had taken my detailes and hers they said no matter what I said they now needed to investigate.

No idea how long it will take or what will happen, but would never forgive myself if something happened to any of the children so think i've done the right thing.

Hi, sorry to bring this back from the depths but we're currently looking into childminders in cambridge, does this lady's name begin with a J? There's someone in the area you mention who says she started in 1988, is registered NCMA, nursery nurse etc so sounds great but not if she's the same you're talking about!

jumpjockey, yes I'm afraid starts with a j, but you may love her! as I said she has 25 yrs experience and a lot of happy parents...and she should have a vacancy now

Personally I expect more from childcare...my son came back with a red bum, poo everywhere, she changed childdren in the bare floor, they never did outings, my son never slept and was exhausted in the early afternoon...the list goes on...but I seemed to be the only unhappy parent there!

I pulled my son out and he is now going to a wonderful friend of mine that wants to become a registered childminder. He is a lot happier and doesn't cry when I leave him, comes back clean and rested and in a good mood so we are all a lot happier!

I have to say, we went to talk to her and told her about Ofstead as she is a nice lady and thought she deserved a warning.....she said she didn't know it wasn't allowed and would sort it all out with Ofsted, I've heard nothing since and really don't care anymore!

thank you all for all your replies xxxx