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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

CM's Do you get dressed before mindees arrive?

89 replies

Rossco · 27/04/2010 11:13

I'm just curious really.

My CM greets us most mornings (8.50am) still in her dressing gown, usually just getting out of or going into the shower.

I was a bit at first but put it down to her being in her own home and getting ready at her leisure.

I feel its a bit unprofessional but in the grand scheme of things it is harmless.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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GoingPostal · 28/04/2010 09:20

what?! the door was open and you were expected to bundle your child inside and leave them? or hang round yourself making you late for work? you should report this woman, she sounds like a liability.

definitely don't give her a reference. If you really felt you had to give her the letter, just put dates nothing about activities - that seems to be rather economical with the truth to put the good stuff but not mention your concerns.

Acanthus · 28/04/2010 09:31

Yes, don't mention the activities because then you are stating positives. Just put the age of your LO and the dates, nothing more than that. OR decline to do it at all, which would be better really.

Blondeshavemorefun · 28/04/2010 09:41

literally state the facts, ie your dc was there from xxx to xxxx

any parent worth their salt would read between the lines

when you arrived this morning,were there any other mindess there and if so what were they doing?

foureleven · 28/04/2010 09:42

I think you have a duty to not make any positive comments in the reference in case it misleads future parents.

I imagine her kids were alone in a house with the door open and mum in the shower...? Anyone could come in and pinch the kids, she wouldnt hear a thing. Shudder.

5DollarShake · 28/04/2010 11:10

Wow. I am so surprised a CM would think this is OK.

Re the reference, I really would urge you to literally just put the dates, and leave it at that. Anything else at all, even if it's just about activities, will send an ambiguous message to other potential parents.

She doesn't deserve to be looking after children the way she carries on at present. Leaving the door open!

Crikey - I work from home (and have a little one), and I am dressed before breakfast, let along by the start of work. And I don't have 'clients' knocking at my door. I really don't get what her problem is.

Original poster

Rossco · 28/04/2010 12:48

I took DS in and sat in the dark room (couldn't find the stupid light switch) with DS on my knee until she came out of the bathroom. To be fair it was only a couple of minutes.

There was no apology. Today she only has 2 mindees, my DS and another boy of the same age but the other child usually arrives a few minutes after us.

I'll take your advice re the reference and will stick to the bare minimum. After reading your reactions I am really glad that DS won't be going there anymore.

OP posts:

FeelingOld · 28/04/2010 13:20

Oh my god!! I am a childminder and like the others have said I would never do this. I have been caught out once in 6 years when there was a mix up over the days when my 7am starter was coming but that was the one and only time I answered the door in my dressing gown.

She should be up, showered and dressed before mindees arrive. You pay her to work from 8.50, not 9.20 when she if finally ready. And she should definitely not be leaving children without supervision for that length of time, nipping to the loo is ok, but not having a shower.

As for the reference I would just not write one.

FrazzleRock · 28/04/2010 13:54

I'm embarrassed if I don't have my make-up on yet, never mind still being in my PJ's!

atworknotworking · 28/04/2010 14:11

I can't believe this it gets worserer.

Is she actually registered? Or one of the many who claim to be. I wouldn't bother with a reference actually I wouldnt even take my DC their again. It's not safe IMO.

Original poster

Rossco · 28/04/2010 14:15

She is registered and was inspected last year. Her report was satisfactory but there was a lot of room for improvement. CM moaned about the Care Commission's recommendations.

OP posts:

thesecondcoming · 28/04/2010 14:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

5DollarShake · 28/04/2010 15:33

I am very much of the opinion not to give her a reference at all - but got the impression that you felt duty-bound to give her one, which is why I would urge just putting the dates on it.

But to be honest, if it was me, I wouldn't give her one at all. What's she going to do if you don't? Threaten you? That's hardly the way to coerce a good reference out of someone.

AvadaKedavra · 28/04/2010 15:58

The Care Commission would definitely want to hear about this Rossco

atworknotworking · 28/04/2010 18:37

Well the report was wrong. It's not satisfactory to be undresed / going into or out of the shower / leaving the door open and the premises unsecured. She should be inadequate!

Its these berks that give good childminders a bad name.

Tell her exactly what you think of her "service"

Original poster

Rossco · 28/04/2010 19:06

How do I go about reporting her to the Care Commission? Will they tell her she has been reported or spring an unannounced inspection?

Why do I feel so bloody awful about this?! If someone was to ask me if I recommended her I would say no and tell them why.

I agree I should report her.

OP posts:

AvadaKedavra · 28/04/2010 19:16

www.carecommission.com - you'll find details on there of your local office (although you should have been given these details by your CM already) you can make contact with her named inspector if you have a copy of the inspection report (you should have been given one by your CM already) or you can get that by putting her number into the website.

You can do it entirely anonymously, although you'll not then get to hear the outcome.

They will make an unannounced inspection yes. Hopefully around drop off time!

atworknotworking · 28/04/2010 19:35

AvadaKedavra LOL do you reckon the inspector will let herself in, make a cup of tea and play with the unsupervised mindees whilst the said blue robed CM finishes her shower.

But seriously I also think this needs stopping, surely she must realise that this isnt acceptable, have non of the parents ever commented on it?

stripeyknickersspottysocks · 28/04/2010 19:46

My CM is often in her pj's when DD is dropped off but we do drop her off at 7oam so it doesn't really bother me.

AvadaKedavra · 28/04/2010 22:29

Let's hope so AWNW! Sometimes it's the only way for people to get the message that what they are doing is wrong.

People like this tend to give us all a bad reputation and it's hard enough being taken as a serious professional business as it is

Snooch · 29/04/2010 10:03

Oh. My. God! I am completely gobsmacked! REPORT REPORT REPORT.

PMSL at atwork's post there

5DollarShake · 29/04/2010 10:18

I'm guessing the other parents haven't commented on it, but it's why they're all withdrawing their children.

And the CM doesn't appear to have anywhere near enough cop-on to realise why they're doing it.

Original poster

Rossco · 29/04/2010 11:11

Well today is DS's last day with the CM. I wrote her letter but only put the dates which DS attended.

I have been on the Care Commission website and read her last inspection report. She scored 4's (GOOD) across the board and the report was very favourable. Any parent reading that would be reassured.

When I dropped DS off this morning she had clothes on . I am not looking forward to pick up time as she is not happy at us leaving and thinks we are doing the wrong thing. Having said that when the last child left (his Mum is on Matt leave and she has now had a new DS) my CM moaned that the child should still come to her and that there was no reason for him to leave!

I have paid her final bill and will dash in collect Ds and leave. I am working out the wording of my complaint to the CC.

OP posts:

AvadaKedavra · 29/04/2010 12:07

How about just printing off this thread and sending it to them with her details on?

[waves to her inspector, be nice to me next time I see you please!!]

Original poster

Rossco · 29/04/2010 13:18

Might just do that! I've picked up DS and CM wasn't there. Her DH had both children and told me that I'd "Just missed X". I presume she had an appointment but she never mentioned it this morning.

So that's it. No more CM for DS. If the time comes that we need a CM again I will find another one!

OP posts:

Hopandpop · 29/04/2010 13:20

what? is her DH registered i would never leave kids unless it was absolutely an emergency, or was fully agreed in advance>?!

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