Help. ..again!

[mookie]

Hi all....I really would like some advice and some support please....

Anyway, I've been a childminder for 8 years. I'm not outstanding and certainly do not claim to be the best there is. I'm just a childminder but I care very much about my role and try to do my very best for the children and their families.
That said, I am very concerned about 1 child. She is 30 months. She has been here on and off since birth as I've been a back up childminder for her. I've always had concerns over the child's development, but having seen on social media how the child has flourished in the other minders' setting and seeing all mums posts showing the things the child has done and made, I just assumed I was over sensitive etc.
The child now comes to me more regularly. Her parents feel there are no problems and she is just a shy child. Paperwork (basic) has been passed to me from the other minder and mum has made it clear that I am not to contact the other minder regarding her child.
I remain concerned.
While I am no doctor, specialist etc, I can't stop worrying. There is no social interaction, little facial expressions, seemingly no understanding of basic rules of the setting, play, routine.
I have mentioned to mum who says not to worry as she will be leaving work in a few months to start maternity leave...
But I can't stop being concerned. I did an activity with the child yesterday. The same activity she had apparently done in her other setting. She could not do it. Could not even comprehend what was happening. In my opinion, if she had done it, she would have had to have had her hand held and guided to have accomplished it. (Finger painting.)
I'm reading up on lots of learning difficulties in the eyfs but like I say, I'm not a dr.

Can I just ask, what would you do???

[Jessymax]

don't know if this will help but was first bit of advise that came to my head... when I had my pre reg inspection I remember so clearly the lady from ofsted in regards to when you have concerns about a child whether that be safe guarding or developmentally she said if you have tried to approach parents and they are not working with you or listening to your concerns over ride them and go above them or you are not doing your job. hope this helps xx

[mookie]

don't know if this will help but was first bit of advise that came to my head... when I had my pre reg inspection I remember so clearly the lady from ofsted in regards to when you have concerns about a child whether that be safe guarding or developmentally she said if you have tried to approach parents and they are not working with you or listening to your concerns over ride them and go above them or you are not doing your job. hope this helps xx

Thank you Jessymax. ..x

[Mouse]

Has the child had a 2 year HV check done yet? Has the other setting done a 2 year old progress check?

If they have, I would tell mum that it is a legal requirement for you to have a copy of the 2 year old assessment on file so you are going to have to ask the other setting for it, or she will have to provide you with a copy.

If they haven't had an assessment and haven't yet had their V check, it's an ideal opportunity for you to raise your concerns there.

Does the child still attend the other setting? It does seem strange that mum doesn't want you contacting them at all.

[mookie]

Thank you. I didn't realise that. Mum said the other setting didn't do a 2 year check and I hadn't thought about the HV.

I will have another ask....x

[FloraDora]

I do a detailed assessment across the areas using the outcomes and write it up like the 2 year review - though I just call it a review every term. I then meet with the parents and go through each area showing my evidence of why I have assessed a child to be where they are, which in my case also includes the info and photos that my parents put on their online learning journal too. This highlights the areas where a child has not yet reached achievement and what next steps are needed to be followed to enable them to do so, there is a section where I write in the parents comments too and together we decide where they are at as regards development along the early years outcome statements.
If you did this you would have specific evidence that the child is not achieving at the expected level and an oporTunity to talk about how you both can support and whether an outside agency may be needed to assist and do an assessment too.

I have been in a situation of another childminder assessing a child as being able to do something when they clearly can't. I put it down to them not fully understanding that a child has to be able to achieve something several times, without adult support, in their daily play both in my setting and at home before they can be assessed as achieving. Often people who don't do specific observations will just tick the boxes in a " oh yes I think they can do that " way when they leave a setting as a catch up assessment to give to next setting.

Please don't say 'just a childminder'! You are clearly an experienced, caring knowledgable childminder or you wouldn't be raising this issue - have confidence - say you are an experienced childminder - drop the ' just ' word from your title.

[mookie]

Lol...Thank you! I am going to collate all my photos etc and the one piece of evidence I have from the other setting. I feel sad that there isn't (apparently if the parent is believed) a 2 year check. Surely this is exactly why the 2 year checks are so very important. For their experienced carer to observe and record where they are and what they could need in order to help then develop.
Thank you and I am going to spend this evening and tomorrow evening sorting out the Pw xx