advice: CM change of location...

[omaoma]

hi folks, i have just started my 1yr old at a childminder who i was really delighted to find, lovely woman, has great kids, great with my child who is sole mindee and loves her, she ticked all the boxes. however she is in a bit of a house-sale nightmare - i knew she was about to move and don't have a prob with that. but due to the usual chain problem she's having to move out before she can exchange on the house she's moving to (round the corner) and so has to move in with her parents (also nearby). clearly not an ideal situation not one of her making. parents' house has enough room for her fam and my child, they wont' be around when she's working as they work too, but, er how can i say this... it's full of kipple (piles on floor) and could do with a good hoover when i saw it. i'm sure it will get better when she moves in, she was clearly embarrassed and talking about how she is chivvying her 'rents to tidy up. question is: am i being naive, should i look for another CM now? my heart really sinks at the thought as i really like her and it was so hard finding someone. but there's no telling how long they might have to be there - housing market being what it is. and does the situation have too many potential issues for a young child to deal with?

hi should also add - in an average day they only really come home to eat and sleep, she goes to groups AM and Pm so they won't be in the house for hours...

if you like the childminder I would put up with a lot. I imagine there will be certain things that have to change purely for ofstead and mess will be one of them.see how it goes if it is a problem you can always look anyway for another cm,

Good childminders especially for 1 year olds who do have a bit of seperation anxiety are like gold dust and are worth working around

If she is just waiting to exchange contracts i can't imagine it will be a very long time 6 - 8 wks max?.

I think if your dc has settled then I would stick with it. From what you said the
CM was aware the house is a mess so she will probably do her best to clean it whilst she and her family are their anyway.

My immediate thought was has she cleared this with Ofsted? because her registration will be linked to her ?home? address and so will her insurance. Could she temporarily mind from your house? that way it wouldn?t come under Ofsted & you wouldn?t worry about the state of her parents house. Just a thought.

Has your CM contacted the regulator (Ofsted if in England) with regard to if she is permitted to childmind from her parent's home? There used to be big issues over childminders moving house... can't recall if there was ever a outcome to that... some CM's may be along soon to say if Ofsted are still a pain when it comes to CM's moving home. It's a change to the registration, so may mean she is unable to childmind for a period of time.

The CM only cares for your child and her own. That is probably quite unusual, so you may not be able to find someone else in a similar situation. CM's I know often care for several children during the day, plus more after school, up to their maximum permitted number.

I would look around for another childminder, just in case your existing one can't actually provide care for your child when they move out of their home.

i think as she only looks after your child and her own it would be a good idea if she came to yours and wrked during the day until she moves into her new house and has it registered with ofstead

hi thanks for all this - i spoke to ofsted today and they said it's not nec a prob to change addresses: CMs have to apply for a variation and get a new certificate in new address, do a risk assessment - & if ofsted aren't happy they'll come and inspect. you do have to have a certificate with new address tho otherwise it's illegal. i will check this with her also the insurance issue.

it seems the thing to do is to raise the issues above with her in a friendly manner and monitor how it goes. i'm happy nobody was up in arms in horror about the situation! interesting point about her working from my house - i don't think it would work tho as she has 3 young kids, and youngest is just a bit older than mine so needs to be in their own home for tea and on, i think?

when i moved house i just phoned my insurance they took the new address details and i was covered from the new address from that point in time i didnt have to wait till the new document came through