Childcare Guidelines

[red2357]

HI,

I was just wondering if anyone on this site knew where I could obtain a copy of the childcare guidelines that Childcarers have to work to. I tried getting this off the Ofstead website but the Link wasn't working.

Thanks

[sp54]

I am a Childminder.

If the link wasn't working you could try Googling it or else, do you have a local Childrens Information Centre?

I can tell you that children should always be within the sight or sound of the childminder

[StoneHenge]

That's good advice SP.

I was looking into child minders recently as my husband was thinking of going back to part time work. I was very careful to check they had the correct facilities in their house (stair gates, appropriate toys for the ages, a place to sleep, catering if this was offered).

I checked about what insurance they had, qualifications, outside secure play area etc.

I'd try the site again. Might just have been busy or an off moment.

I got one here as well:

Child Care (http://www.direct.gov.uk/Nl1/Newsroom/NewsroomArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=10038080&chk=Z07wG/)

[red2357]

Thank you SP54, I will have a search this afternoon.

My particular points with my childcarer neighbour is kids not playing in a secure area but just in the street around people cars, property. What can you advise? As well as not being watch ALL of the time, but how can I prove this - its just my word against hers.

Following on from Stonehenges point about catering - did either of you watch 'You are what you Eat' last night? The lady on there (who was lovely by the way, but...) was shown to be feeding the children in her care sausage rolls, pasties, crisps, pop, etc. It might be just me, but I wouldn't been too happy my child being fed this? I know children can be difficult when it comes to food, but I would expect them to be fed a much, much healthier, balanced diet than this from their childminder.

[sp54]

It is difficult and there are 'grey' areas with childminding.

We are set 'standards' which must be adhered to and a healthy diet is one of them. As in all walks of life there are good and bad childminders.

Your neighbour should not allow them to play out in the way she does. Dring our OFSTED inspections, our gardens are carefully checked to make sure they are secure and children cannot get out.

It must also be said that I would doubt very much that your name was given to your neighbour by OFSTED, it is more likely the case that she guessed it was you. OFSTED are normally very good at keeping anonymity if a complaint is made, and if they did give your name, they most certainly should not have done, and you would have reason to complain.

You cannot photograph the children as proof [even we need written parental permission to photograph children in our care] so all I can suggest is you contact OFSTED again and advise they visit unnanounced at a time when the children are most likely to be playing outside. For example, is this a daily occurrence after school, perhaps? If so, advise OFSTED of this. All complaints are taken seriously but can be difficult to prove. I know childminders in my area who I would never leave my child with, but they never quite cross the line of neglecting the children. Others are fantastic and devoted childminders. If you have real concerns about the welfare of the children, all you can do is report her again and give times etc and hope the inspector visits then.

[red2357]

Thank you SP54, thanks for listening/reading and giving me advice on this.

It has certainly made me more aware of the type of care I would expect for my child when I have one, because I do plan to and would like to still work even if its just part-time.

I did suggest to Ofstead to make an unanounced visit one day, later in the year during spring/summer when the kids are outside but that, disappointingly, seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

It frightens the life out of me thinking that one day I could be trying to reverse my car out of my drive, trying to negotiate my awkward driveway, cars, toys in the street and a child runs out of her house behind my car and I don't see them in time. Anyway, thanks again................

[red2357]

Hi again,

I just wanted to pick this thread up again and ask another related question to SP54 or anyone else who is qualified to answer.

After I complained to Offsted and the S**t hit the fan so to speak (nasty letter thru my door, other neighbour friend of theirs threatening me) I recently looked on the website which shows the reports of childminders and the assesment Offsted makes, etc. Well, I notice that no mention has been made of a complaint? There is a section in the report but it actually says no complaints! Even if they deemed my complaint unsubstanciated, shouldn't it still be on her report?
To me, this just says Ofsted didn't take my complaint seriously, they didn't come round and check (my husband was home that week and can varify this) and Offsed are frankly another useless goverment dept who cannot keep children safe.
Since my last complaint to Ofsted I have since seen the children playing in the back yard and going up onto their decking (which it says in her offsted report they must not be allowed to do) and there was dog poo in the yard around where they were playing!
I'm very, very reluctant to complain to offsted after there lack of concern and the fall-out I got after last time.
To me, Offsted are as irresponsible as she is!!

[red2357]

Hi

I don't know if I'll write again, I have to be honest. I had so much harassment after the last time it is making me think twice - but them thats what bullies do isn't it, intimidate their victims, 'cos thats what we are, aren't we?

I rang the council regarding the dog fouling our driveway and them leaving the dog poo in their back garden for days on end and basically they said their was nothing they could do - can you believe it!? Unless its smelling really badly would they follow it up, and if it poos on our driveway its classed as private land so the council woman said she could do nothing, even though we could have CCTV evidence. UNBELIEVEABLE!! :eek:
Whilst the police in our case have been as helpful as they can be with regards to criminal issues the council have been sh*t with regards to anti-social issues.

What do you think my next move is? Solicitor or MP?:(