Feel trouble coming on

Tiglath

swingaloo wrote: »

Considered it a few times but I don't want to traumatise anyone!

Can you wrap them round your head as earmuffs?

pigpen

lol.. I have 8 children of my own at home and my children tear about outside during the holidays. I often have my grandsons and niece round or childrens friends, I had 16 a few days over the summer holidays.. I wouldn't see it as a problem if she manages them well.. if she lets them run riot and trash the fence and throw things in your garden etc then you moan

There would be a lot more people moaning if she was not working and claiming benefits.. the poor woman is trying to make a living cut her some slack and see how it goes. You are obviously on good terms with her so you can approach her surely and talk about your concerns with her.

If she is like most /cm's she will be out most of the day at the park and play groups and school runs.. give it a chance.

Errata

So ........... how many toilets for both residents, staff and 12 children ? How many kitchens? Just wondering

meritaten

Errata wrote: »

So ........... how many toilets for both residents, staff and 12 children ? How many kitchens? Just wondering

Yes, there are very specific rules for this - and in an ordinary 3/4 bed home - there would not be enough to satisfy health and safety requirements.
which is why I think this lady is telling lies. The childminder who caused all the probs (previous post) was only allowed 3 children as she already had two of her own and the house and garden wasn't really all that big.

Rockporkchop

Sounds like a nightmare to me but I wouldn't worry unduly at this stage. She has to manage to actually get mindees before she can start minding and there is a huge amount of competition out there. Also hopefully when new parents come to view the premises etc they will be put off by the lack of space and small garden - I know I would be.

Maybe if you are home when any prospective clients come to visit her you can dress up like Waynetta Slob and start swearing at the top of your voice on the doorstep. Play some Metallica and Sex Pistols really loudly. And maybe get an old car without wheels to park in your space. Problem solved.

mysk_girl

My last childminder was registered for 12 children (minding as a couple) and they had only one toilet.

They did have an absolutely humongous garden, and a whole room downstairs just for the kids plus a large kitchen diner. One of the conditions that we signed was a map showing where we were allowed to park (obviously agreed with the neighbour) and told that they WOULD give us notice if we parked anywhere else. I don't think the neighbours were that keen, but again they had planning permission for change of use and OFSTED certificate.

I was devastated when they decided to retire at Christmas, although they have since decided to mind on a much smaller scale and will now have mine ad hoc whenever I need it which will be great for summer holidays and emergencies when I'm back at work.

Robisere

Check this out:
http://www.ncma.org.uk/childminders/become_a_childminder.aspx

-and find out if your neighbour is a member of the official organisation, plus what she will have to have done to get it.

claire16c

A family friend told me someone she knows has been approved to mind 10 children before & after school which sounded ridiculous to me as I didn't think they allowed that many but I wouldn't assume this woman doesn't have all the correct approvals.

michelle2008

Oh I have to admit I would be concerned about this. Precious days off woken very early by children being dropped off - noise throughout the day and increased traffic.

Don't get me wrong I love the sounds of children playing - and hopefully the neighbour will control the more exuberant - but it is much easier to tolerate the sounds of normal family life than someone running a business.

Just my opinion though!!

Like others not sure why this is considered snobby?

HurdyGurdy

As a former childminder, who lives in a Close with 22 houses, I would be horrified at what you have been told.

Yes, childminders now are more like mini-nurseries than home-based childcare (which is why I gave it up - I wanted to provide a safe, home-from-home-with-loads-of-fun setting, not be an education setting), but that number of children is bound to make a lot of noise. It's the very nature of children - the decibel level seems to quadruple with every child you add into the mix!

I would also be worried that, if I am correct, there are proposals to allow childcare providers to increase their numbers, meaning that you could potentially have even more children in and out next door.

I can not believe for one minute that she has been given the go-ahead for this from Ofsted, given the size of the property. And I am pretty sure that nowadays, local councils have nothing to do with childminders any more - it's all Ofsted, isn't it?

I think I would give Ofsted a call and see if they can reassure you.