childminder possible in breach of registration

[Nubbin]

Hi

I am due back at work in 2 weeks and had found a childminder I liked - local, nice etc. She was looking after her son (3) full time and doing a school pick up for a five year old. My dd is 6 months old and will be with her full time.

This morning she emailed to say that she has taken on 2 more full time girls (2 and 3). I think this puts her in breach of her Ofsted registration (she is registered as being allowed 4 children under 8 of which only 2 can be in the early years age group). Not sure what to do now - do I mention the Ofsted thing (in which case I imagine that she would probably dump my dd) - more than that would 4 under 5s in the care of one adult work?

Would love to know what other people would do - if anyone has that many kids and how it works? Just think that it does not seem very professional and that does not bode well???

Thanks

Nubbin - it wasn't easy, I can tell you. Fine to start with but then ds2 wanted bf'ing every 2 hours day AND night for 4 months once he hit 15 wks old, still we all survived and there's such a strong bond. It was challenging (but great) when they were 10 wks, 8 months, 17 months and 19 months old (triple buggy AND a sling!! lol) but now they are 2, 2.6, 3.2 and 3.4 and there is much more freedom. I, like many minders on here, have had ALL SORTS of age ranges with/without needing a variation and I'd say most do just fine. It's not the sort of job you can continue to do if extremely stressed, it's our job to make sure we can cope with who we have and if not, make the necessary changes

Don't discount the police - they have their faults but if you manage to find the right one they are good at sorting this sort of situation out. Find out if there is a safer neigherbood team in your area - they are ideal with this sort of dispute as they are exceptional at making a visit to explain to someone why their behaviour is not on without making it a criminal matter. If that deson't work the offence of assault/ harrasment does not require a physical action so you could make a complaint which would have to be followed up and would hopefully scare someone off.

Wish I had spelt neighbourhood right the first time but the advice still stands!

Thanks for taking the time I've had great experiences with the police sorting gangs out at our old home some years ago and they helped sort things without it going to far (luckily we don't live somewhere like that now!). The main problem is I don't know who is doing this, that's what I need to TRY and find out but because I'm in childcare, the complainant has protection! grrr

I may speak to the local community police officer to my school as I've chatted to her a few times, mainly so she can talk to the children about what they do etc.

Thanks for the advice, wish me luck!

Lots of Luck and definitely speak to her - my husband is currently on response but when he was a community officer it was exactly the sort of issue he would deal with - half the time it was just someone disgruntled trying to make trouble and warned off by a police presence.

Anyone with childcare suggestions for N8 London?

Nubbin - Have you tried childcare.co.uk or even childmindinghelp.co.uk both good sites..

Or the Family information service..
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