Statement from Childminder

[Boe]

I am at present going through a custody case and received x2b's statement's at the beginning fo the week - am furious as all load of cr*p but was quite concerned that the childminder had put a letter into the court saying what a charming, intelligent etc etc. child my daughter is - I of course do not disagree with this.

What I do disagree with this is that she has used her NCMA No and her Offstead Reg No on the letter - I feel that 1. she has something to gain if my husband gains residenc of my daughter (a big chunk of ££ each month) and also that she has no idea what went on in our household, abuse (mental and physical), threats to stop me seeing my daughter and lots more. I feel that as a childminder she is wrong putting her name as a sort of witness when she did not know all of the facts (hope you understand that).

I am seriuosly thinking of putting a complaint into Offstead and the NCMA and just wondered if everyone else thought I was right or was nuts. (am slightly nuts but if you were walking in my shoes you would be too!)

Have you written to her saying, calmly, what the real circumstances are?

No - I have spoken to her when all of this first happened and she sort of made - well is sad but better to happen when kids are small type noises.

I really did not want to tell the world what had gone on (is easy when you are anonymous) - my husband of course has told anyone who will listen!! Just think as an adult we should realise that things go on within relationships behind closed doors that we have no idea about and well I just think what she has done is wrong.

I am sure if I did write to her the letter would only be shown to my husband and I would not want it ending up in court looking like I am being spiteful or anything - I am trying to play everything by the book to give no one any excuse to hold anything against me when we go to court.

I think you've kind of answered your own question then - if you report her to Ofsted or the NCMA then that too will get back to your husband and could be construed as being spiteful. I think you're going to have to simply ignore it unless your solicitor can put in a "counter statement" type thing saying what the childminder has to gain by your DH gaining residence and how she does not know all the facts.

Ok - just that we are unable to put in anymore statements - just have to wait until CAFCASS comes round and bring it up then or wait until we go to court.

I have to agree Boe that it is a bit off for her to have done this in her 'official' capacity. However in her defence I think that you have kind of hit the nail on the head regarding her having something to lose fiancially. This may have been put across to her by your ex in a not so subtle way (having read what he is like!). He may have said something along the lines of looking for another childminder if she didn't. I would contact Ofsted etc. and ask their advice/opinion as to whether she has actually done anything wrong. I hope everything goes well for you in the end. Good luck.

Thanks - will just ask advice - can always put in objection to Offstead and the NCMA after case has been heard.

Will give them a call on Monday as will have privacy then.

I was a childminder and have been asked to make a statement about something that I thought was nothing to do with me (very minor issue) and refused as I thought that I could not be unbiased and I did not know the family well enough to give any sort of advice or comment which could unknowing to me affect the child.

Is there anything in her statement that is untrue, or anything she, as a childminder, is not qualified to comment on? If so, point it out to your solicitor and ask for advice.

If not, there's little to gain by complaining - she can't be blamed for what she doesn't know and hasn't said. The court doesn't require every witness to consider all the facts before they make a statement...only to testify honestly to what they know themselves at first hand.

The court is not likely to give your husband all the credit for your daughter's good qualities and they know that the childminder, as his employee, isn't impartial.

You were absolutely right in refusing to give a statement on a matter that was nothing to do with you. But if all the childminder has done is put a true statement about your daughter into court, along with her qualifications for making it, I think she is right too. Sounds as though it could have been difficult for her to refuse...not that that matters if she has lied.

This must be agonising for you...sorry I haven't read all the history, but it must be especially painful if you know the childminder and feel she is 'taking sides'.

I have just found Mumsnet and have been browsing some of the messages. As a registered childminder myself, I'd just like to point out that I provide parents with a service which they pay for - I am not their employee.