childminder letting kids play xbox 18+

Janepig

Mojisola wrote: »

She does have control whether an unsuitable game is kept at her house.

Exactly! DS is 9 and he has played GTA at his friend's house - the game belonged to the partner of his friend's mother (if you can follow that!) but he knows full well that neither me or DH would allow him to have an 18 cert game here, and he knows why. I can't say I'll make him wait until he's 18, but he's certainly not having it at 9. If someone bought him a copy then I'd either take it back to the shop or put it somewhere DS couldn't get it. The PS3 is also in our living room so he plays it as and when allowed and I know exactly what he's playing. It's not difficult to do.

I wonder whether the OP's childminder is actually registered - sounds like she's got alot of kids there for the size of the house. My two went to day nursery for the reason that you've no idea what a childminder is doing behind closed doors.

Jx

RuthnJasper

I don't think the GTA games are suitable for 18y/os - let alone children. Misogynistic, vicious and makes sport/entertainment out of violent crime. Nasty stuff.

I would be absolutely fuming if I was the OP. The game should have been well away from any area where the children were sitting or playing. What's been seen can't be unseen.

RuthnJasper

pinkshoes wrote: »

She is being PAID for childminding services.

This does NOT involve your kids sitting in her son's bedroom playing inappropriate computer games.

The fact she hadn't locked the game away suggests she thinks it is OK for her son to play it.

I Would be looking for another childminder and perhaps consider contacting Ofsted.

I agree re. Ofsted. Someone who is happy for their own 8 year old to play violent games (and, potentially, also watch 18-rated dvds) is not someone I would be paying to look after my own children.

tea_lover

Is she registered? She doesn't sound it.

bobbybuttons

She is registered with Ofsted and has been for around a year. I have her registration number and have checked it before i started sending them there. I have made my mind up that i will be sending them elsewhere, my childrens safety comes first. I have a meeting on Monday with another childminder who has been going years, i will be sure to discuss all aspects inc playing computer games and ask to see the rooms the children have access too.

carmina_piranha

If they play Call of Duty too, this is not just one game that the ex left somewhere the boy could get hold of, this is the mother allowing more than one of that type of game in his bedroom because she thinks it's okay. Even if she thinks it's okay for her own 8 year old it's beyond me how she thinks it's okay for somebody else's child!

It sounds like she has more children than she can handle in the holidays. My 9 year old is currently on his xbox, I don't think it's a bad thing in moderation, but playing an 18 game isn't something I'd allow.

Nicki

bobbybuttons wrote: »

She is registered with Ofsted and has been for around a year. I have her registration number and have checked it before i started sending them there. I have made my mind up that i will be sending them elsewhere, my childrens safety comes first. I have a meeting on Monday with another childminder who has been going years, i will be sure to discuss all aspects inc playing computer games and ask to see the rooms the children have access too.

Good luck with the meeting. It definitely sounds like the right decision given that you have now discovered this is not a one off. I wouldn't let my 15 year old play GTA or Call of Duty never mind a 6 and 8 year old under my own roof at least and hope he isn't doing it round his mates.

Madmel

I'm a teacher and as a staff we have been warned about the appropriateness of certain video clips on e.g. YouTube. I use YouTube a lot in my lessons because there is some fantastic stuff on there for my subject, but I have to screen everything first before I let the kids watch it. If there is even one 14 year old in the room, I am not allowed to show a 15-rated film unless I have the permission of the parent or guardian. Failure to adhere to this is viewed by my school as gross misconduct.

It frustrates me that someone with very limited training can seemingly get away with what has happened to your children with few repercussions, when I would rightly have the book thrown at me. This probably sounds harsh, but I would get on to Ofsted. At the very least, she should have told you herself; the fact that it came from your children would make me very unhappy at leaving them with her again.

bigmomma051204

bobbybuttons wrote: »

She is registered with Ofsted and has been for around a year. I have her registration number and have checked it before i started sending them there. I have made my mind up that i will be sending them elsewhere, my childrens safety comes first. I have a meeting on Monday with another childminder who has been going years, i will be sure to discuss all aspects inc playing computer games and ask to see the rooms the children have access too.

I HATE to say this, because I work with childminders and use one myself, so am aware that they can't be perfect and have a hard job BUT I think you should be talking to OFSTED about this.

As a registered childminder she MUST have contractual agreements in place with all of the families who use her services. For numerous reasons. Ifind the fact that you have used her services for a year and have had no contract in place odd at best, worrying at worst!!

Also, it sounds as if they have played numerous unsuitable games - I have no issue with the idea that on a rainy Feb holiday, she would let them veg in front of xbox/telly etc - what parent wouldnt do the same!? BUT to allow them to play 18 rated games - on various occasions by the sounds of it (Call of Duty, GTA etc) or at the very best, be unaware of what they are playing in her care... is unfortunately unacceptable and must be looked into.

You need to speak with your children again - ascertain how often they have played these unsuitable games during the time they have been with her. And also might be worth asking whether they ever watch dvds up in the bedroom too....? :cool:

Someone also raised the question about bedrooms - actually, there is no "law" which says that they aren't able to use bedrooms BUT usually childminders will avoid allowing the children to go into their "personal space" because if nothing else, who wants other people's kids mucking around in your bedroom??! Bad enough that they are trashing your downstairs area lol!

Oh and just a point of note which I haven't seen mentioned - once children are 8yrs+ , they no longer count within a childminder's ratios... So her 8yr old and OP's 8yr old are not counted within her numbers. In fact interestingly, I always think, the number of over 8's has no restriction at all - apart from to say that the childminder has to use their discretion really... And a lot of that is based on people per sq footage in property - so if you had a mahoosive house, you could squeeze 20 8yr olds in there :eek: LOL

Ps - Please consider contacting OFSTED. I know it will be uncomfortable BUT I do feel that unfortunately she is not safeguarding the children in her care from inappropriate images/content. As you are aware that this situation is happening, it will continue to do so with other children there... so really you have a duty (sorry) to the other parents/children to ensure that all others in her care have their wellbeing looked after. Of course, remove your children as you feel necessary but please don't see that as an end to the situation - how would you feel if you spoke to another parent next week who said "Oh yes, my kids used to go to her before yours started there, but I took them out because I found out that they were playing sexually explicit, violent video games in her bedroom and she did nothing about it".......? I am guessing that you might be slightly peeved...

FBaby

It sounds to me that she decided to become a childminder because it suited her lifestyle, ie. being available for her children whilst earning an income rather than because she is dedicated to the job.