SAINSBURYS are discriminating against Registered Childminders

baabaachi

Childminders are not being allowed to Register for the Sainsbury's Active Kids Scheme.

As a Registered Childminder I offer EXACTLY the same care as a nursery. I am inspected by OFSTED, I offer the same education (EYFS) as a nursery.

Every time the person on the phone at Sainsbury's Active Kids gave a reason why they would not Register me I gave a valid reason against their arguement.

They said I would not be able to collect enough vouchers - I have over 1,000 at the moment!

I told them with Tesco we were allowed to Register but their argument was Tesco were a bigger company and had been running the scheme for longer.

paulofessex

I would attempt to get as many childminders as you can behind you from this forum and more and collectively fight against it.

Perhaps a template letter could be prepared in order sent to childminders so they can send it to Mr Sainsbury directly. LA's or Ofsted may be happy to make childminders aware of the letter via council newsletters.

Wish you well with it, please keep us updated

RobertoMoir

At the end of the day, is it "discrimination"? Isn't it their choice who to open a scheme up to and who not to open it up to? Just as it's your choice to get all the people in the same boat as you who feel the same way to boycott them?

PrettyWoman

I tried to register with them today and was told I couldn't as I was 'just a childminder'. I have started a discussion on another forum related to my profession!

It is discrimination as the parents have the right to choose where to send their children. If they are collecting vouchers and their children are unable to benefit as Sainsburys won't allow the organisation to redeem them, then the children are being discriminated against for going to a childminder.

The lady I spoke to today told me that I should tell my mindees parents to send their children to nursery if they want to use the vouchers! Needless to say there are emails being exchanged now between myself and the Active Kids Manager. Does anybody want her direct email address?

DCFC79

Just because tescos allows childminders it doesn't mean sainsburys should allow childminders to register,

Broken_hearted

A childminder could get stuff for themselves then give up childminding a nursery would not be able to. Fair maybe not their scheme their rules.

flea72

Broken_hearted wrote: »

A childminder could get stuff for themselves then give up childminding a nursery would not be able to. Fair maybe not their scheme their rules.

nurseries stop trading all the time

however i think if sainsburys are allowing other 'for profit' establishments to use the vouchers, then why shouldnt a childminder

F

peachyprice

Perhaps they feel that they want to help organisations where large numbers of children will benefit, not just 2-3 children at a childminder. Seems perfectly reasonable to me.

As Broken Hearted rightly said, their scheme, their rules. And they make it quite clear who is eligible to join.

1. Who can register to Active Kids and collect and redeem vouchers?
   
   Schools of all ages, Scout and Guide groups and Clubmark accredited clubs can register to Active Kids and start collecting vouchers when the scheme launches on 17th February 2010.

gordikin

It's not discrimination, you are just not eligible under their scheme. Could you not donate the vouchers to a local 'organisation' that is. Perhaps the local school(s)?

williham

Maybe speak to a local school see if they'll give you what your 1000 vouchers are worth.. it's a long shot though

And how many kids do you look after? 1000 vouchers is what you get for a £10,000 spend!

trumpton

So are private nurseries allowed to register, but not child minders? Must say, I agree that it's Sainsbury's scheme so they can set the rules. I can see the logic that it is meant to benefit large numbers of children as opposed to 2 or 3.