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helenlc
27-03-2010, 02:05 PM
This is the email address for the journalist who wrote the article with the headline "Ryan,3, killed by the childminders" :

a.parker@the-sun.co.uk

I have sent a polite but detailed email about what I actually had to do to become a childminder and what I continue to do. I have not been rude to Mr Parker - simply asked that he does a future article that makes it clear these people were not childminders.

This is mine - please feel free to copy/tweak:

Dear Mr Parker

I write in response to your article entitled "Ryan, 3 ... murdered by the childminders". I do agree that this case is very alarming, very sad for this poor child and his family and despicable behaviour by the 2 "humans" responsible for his death.

However, I dispute strongly the use of the word "childminder". The 2 people responsible for this poor child's death were by no means childminders.

I am an Ofsted registered chilmdinder and I have had to jump through hoops to prove myself worthy in the eyes of Ofsted. I have a Paediatric First Aid Certificate, Public Liability Insurance, Business Use Insurance on my car, and attend many extra courses in my own time and at my own expense. I have tp have an Enhanced CRB check as does my husband and any other regular visitor to my house aged 16 and over.

I pay a yearly fee to Ofsted and in doing so, agree to adhere to the strict guidelines laid down to us in our role as childminders. I also have regular inpsections by Ofsted to ensure that the care I am giving is suitable and that the children in my care are safe and well looked after. Parents are given information that allows them to make a complaint if they feel my care is not up to par.

I have to do risk assessments on everything from outings to having my Christmas tree up during the festive period. I have to record any accidents/incidents that happen in my care ie a child falls and hurts themselves, one child hurts another, any inpappropriate behaviour by the child etc. I have to do duplicate copies of these - one goes to the parent and the other is kept by me and has to be kept by me for just over 20 years. I have to do a register to show at what (exact) times children arrive in my care and leave. I have to get permissions for everything - from taking children on outings to using reins, using sun cream, transporting them in my car, allowing them to sleep on the sofa.

I have to get personal details about the children to ensure the care I give is suitable and personalised to them. I have to take information about any allergies, medical conditions, regular medicines needing to be administered, any cultural dietary requirements etc. I have to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage - doing observations on the children in my care, following the guidelines to make sure children are achieving, write up assessmes on these observations and how I plan to move the children on with their development. I have to do short. medium and long term planning for each individual child throughout the year. The majority of this is done at weekends and weekday evenings when the children I mind have gone home. But I have my own 2 children at home and so this paper work takes me away from spending time with them. But Osfted require me to do this so I have to to be a good childminder.

I dont suppose the people responsible for poor Ryan's death did anywhere near what I do on a daily basis. From the images I have seen of their abode, it doesnt look like they were able to look after themselves let alone a child. So they certainly cannot be called child "minders". Ryan's poor mother was obviously so desperately unhappy and suffering that she saw her child being looked after by these people as a help and an answer to her problems.

Us childminders often have a bad reputation as people assume we earn easy money for just sitting around at home watching day time TV and drinking coffee, attending toddler groups (and sitting there drinking coffee) and meeting up with other childminders (and you've guessed it, drinking more coffee!). For the record, I dont drink coffee. I do sit at home - on the floor with the children playing games of make believe, reading, drawing, cooking, etc. I do attend toddler groups - and I watch the children and follow them and offer them help with their activities or just the confidence to go over and try something new. I do meet with other childminders - at a childminder drop in where we can all offer each other support and advice. We also meet up regularly on outings to allow our children some fun and to socialise with one another. They all have in common the fact that they are looked after by someone else while Mummy and Daddy go to work - it is important for them to feel like they are not the only ones not being looked after by Mummy and Daddy.

I hope to see a clarifying article by yourself and/or your paper that distinguishes these dispicable humans from us Ofsted Registered childminders. Also an apology for tarnishing us childminders with the same brush as these people. There is no comparison and it makes me sick to read my title associated with these killers.

auntym
27-03-2010, 02:14 PM
i have emailed to hon, not as good or lengthy (excellent email) but had to say something xxx

heres mine x

I am emailing you with reference to the story you printed in The Sun newspaper about the disgusting treatment of poor little Ryan Lovell-hancox. The appalling injuries and abuse inflicted onto this poor child were purely evil, and i pray no child ever suffers like this ever again.



The people who inflicted this torture onto this poor innocent boy deserve the harshest punishment known, any my prayers and thoughts go out to his poor family.



May i just ask please one thing from you? Your headline (quote) "RYAN, 3...MURDERED BY THE CHILDMINDERS", this headline clearly indicates that professional childminders were involved at the very heart of this. These people were so called freinds of the poor mother of this child, NOT childminders. Please revoke it.



I am a proffesional childminder, I care for children and provide a loving, caring environment, and anyone who glances at your headline will IMMEDIATLEY associate this story with childminders!!!!!



Childminders have a very difficult but fulfilling job, and headlines such as yours provides nothing but negativity towards us, and to insinuate in your headline that childminders were involved is completley dishonest.



I only ask of this as the professional childminders who have viewed your article have all been deeply saddened by whats happened but also very upset their professional names have been brought into such headlines. As childminder we take safeguarding children extremely seriously, and do not appreciate being associated like this.

Bushpig
27-03-2010, 02:17 PM
I have emailed them too - am furious!!!! Your email is excellent Helen :thumbsup:

To Andrew Parker,

RE: This article: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2909943/Horror-of-new-Baby-P-victim.html#comment-rig

Having read your article about little Ryan who was so maliciously harmed and killed... I feel I need to write to you to ask you to get your facts right.... a childminder is an OFSTED registered carer of children, who has been CRB checked, has insurance, regular inspections of their setting etc. etc. etc.

Here is some info for you to read: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/About-us/How-we-inspect/Childminders/(language)/eng-GB

Unregistered care is not right as it's not regulated in any way, and is one of the reasons childminders have been so against friends looking after friends children for reward.

It's a great shame when writers do not do their homework and research properly, prior to having an article published. It can be dangerous and unfair ... in this case, to childminders. I do hope this will be the last time you lend so little care to your work and such offense to us, the reader.

Regards,
xxx

An actual childminder

Pipsqueak
27-03-2010, 02:17 PM
Put it on Netmums in the working for yourself section - childminders and also in the work, study childcare sections and ask people to email as well.
Lots of minders go on there.

thats a wonderfully worded email, thank you for sharing.
I had already emailed Mr Parker - politely.

I do wonder if he would like to be called an essay writer instead of journalist!

nell57
27-03-2010, 02:18 PM
Well wrote Helen, this article has made me so angry. But I am useless with words and wouldn't know what to write without making myself sound stupid. So if its okay with you I will play around and use what you have wrote:blush:

Just asked my DH for some inspiration, but daren't use any of his suggestions:panic:

Mollymop
27-03-2010, 02:26 PM
It's disgraceful -poor little Ryan. I have sent email and posted all over facebook too!

sarah707
27-03-2010, 03:10 PM
I am writing with reference to the story you ran today about poor Ryan Lovell-Hancox.

I wonder if you give any thought at all to the thousands of professional childminders who offer outstanding childcare to families throughout the country when you used the word 'childminder' in the title of your article to describe two animals who were not Ofsted registered and were not in any way childminders.

As a professional Ofsted registered childminder I am dedicated to caring for children and I have certificates and reports and courses etc to prove this. I live in a house which is Ofsted checked and I take great pride in my work and in the care I offer to the parents and children with whom I work.

Such a sensationalist headline might sell newspapers, but it harms childminders like myself and I am deeply offended by your use of my professional name to make a bit more money for your newspaper. I would very much appreciate seeing you make a public apology for the harm you have done.

Please pass my thoughts and prayers to Ryan's family.

helenlc
27-03-2010, 03:21 PM
Thanks Helen, I am back now - have stuck the thread so that it stays at the top for all to see. :thumbsup:

Thank you Pauline.

I was looking for my post and couldnt see it - I didnt think to look in the Stickies!:blush:

Glad you did though.

I did say if anyone wants to use it as a template and jiggle it around, thats fine. Please feel free!!

The more that get sent, the better!!!

helenlc
27-03-2010, 03:34 PM
Have posted on netmums too:

http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/working-yourself-76/wfy-discussion-ideas-research-79/403345-please-read-re-childminders.html#post4318065

I have put it in the Working For Yourself and Work Study and Childcare sections.

It will be interesting to see what responses it gets!!!

mama2three
27-03-2010, 04:08 PM
ladies have you considered copying the press complaints commission your emails. Unfortunately im sure that the tabloids are used to getting disgruntled people objecting to their headlines - but only act when the pcc becomes involved.
the damage is done now , and even if we get an apology it will be 2 lines in tiny writing on page 20 something. Unbelievable.

Tam's Tribe
27-03-2010, 04:33 PM
Poor little Ryan, I cried when I read his story . . . how he suffered and at least he is resting in peace now!! . . . I dont feel sorry for Ryan's mum for the child killers . . . my heart aches for that little boy who no one loved or protected!!

and here is my email to the so called Journalist . . .

Andrew

I have just read THE SUN headline RYAN 3, MURDERED BY THE CHILDMINDERS . . . while this is a SHOCKING story and it beggars belief that it has happened to yet another poor innocent child, I take great offence.

Can you please let me know the Ofsted Number for Kayley Boleyn and her boyfriend Christopher Taylor for their professional childcare service. Of course I understand you must have this as you have referred in your headline that they are indeed CHILDMINDERS!... See more

They are not CHILDMINDERS as they are NOT trained or registered with OFSTED which would incorporate a CRB check and a doctor’s report. Childminders who offer a professional childcare service have all this and more, we also have public liability insurance!

At best, they are friends of Ryan’s mother. Ryan’s mother left him in their care, to abuse and torture and eventually KILL!! They are NOT CHILDMINDERS, they were providing unregistered and unlawful care of a poor little boy who no one protected!!

I would have thought as a Journalist *raised eyebrow* that you would need to get your facts correct Andrew Parker. You and THE SUN NEWSPAPER are giving our profession a BAD name.

I became a childminder 8 months ago and I love my job. I, like all my fellow childminder friends and colleagues’ provide quality childcare in a safe, friendly, fun home environment.

It is hard enough in this recession for childminders (and parents) to make a living to look after their children without it being made harder by inaccurate news stories designed to JUST SELL MORE PAPERS!!! . . . I think that you should print a headline retraction but then again you wont coz that wont well more papers will it . . . never mind the harm you could be doing to hard working childminders whose phone wont be ringing for sometime and also because I guess you will already be on your next sensational headline, never mind the facts hey Andrew!!

Blackhorse
27-03-2010, 04:59 PM
Mr Parker,

I was very saddened to read this article in the Sun today. There are no words to describe the horrible tragedy that has
happened to poor Ryan Lovell-Hancox.
My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.

I would like to point out though that I am very upset to read the title of your news story when you say he has been
''murdered by the childminders''
These ''animals'' as you refer to them are not childminders, but your headline brings as whole profession into disrepute.
Childminders work very hard to provide excellent service for the children they care for and go through a lot of training and
are all police checked, first aid trained and fully insured to look after other people's children.

I feel that there is great damage being done to our profession through articles like this one and I think that a public apology
would help a little bit in limiting the damage this article has caused to my business reputation as well as that of thousands of other childminders
across the country.

I would appreciate your feedback on this matter

Bananabrain
27-03-2010, 05:11 PM
NICE ONE HELEN! YOU ROCK.

Alibali
27-03-2010, 05:34 PM
I have e-mailed too.

caz3007
27-03-2010, 05:43 PM
I sent an email to Mr Parker too. I bet he will wonder what on earth is going on with his rather full inbox

Twinkles
27-03-2010, 05:50 PM
Well I had to put my tuppenny worth in too......


Dear sir

I was disappointed and dismayed with your reference to Childminders in the recent article about the horrific murder of Ryan Lovell-Hancox.

I would ask that you please put the record straight , these monsters are not 'Childminders'.

It takes training and dedication to become a childminder.
It takes registration with OFSTED , it takes a CRB check and a safeguarding children course , it takes a paediatric first aid course , it takes six weeks of initial training with your local authority ( and much further training whilst doing the job ) ,it takes stringent checks and inspections from OFSTED.

We carefully monitor and record a child's welfare and development. We plan activities and outings that enhance that development.

To refer to someone who illegally 'looks after' someone else's children as a childminder is not only an insult to real childminders , it is misleading to the general public.
I have been in childcare for over 30 years and a childminder for 16. During this time I have witnessed our profession becoming more respected and recognised by other professionals and the general public. Misleading references in articles such as this one does untold harm to dedicated childminders who work hard to deserve that title.

Perhaps an article exploring the dangers of using unregistered childcare would address this imbalance.

Blackhorse
27-03-2010, 05:51 PM
well done twinkles...I like your email!

helenlc
27-03-2010, 06:58 PM
ladies have you considered copying the press complaints commission your emails. Unfortunately im sure that the tabloids are used to getting disgruntled people objecting to their headlines - but only act when the pcc becomes involved.
the damage is done now , and even if we get an apology it will be 2 lines in tiny writing on page 20 something. Unbelievable.

Have done so now. Their email address is :

complaints@pcc.org.uk

And this is what I wrote to them:

To Whom It May Concern

I am writing to complain about an article published in today's (27/3/10) The Sun. Here is a link to the article:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2909943/Horror-of-new-Baby-P-victim.html

In both the headline and article, references are made by Andrew Parker that the couple responsible for young Ryan's death were childminders. They were not. They were friends of the boy's mother who were asked to look after him as his mum was struggling.

I am an Ofsted registered childminder and am livid at my job title being used to describe these murderers. I also despair at the title being used in the same sentence (headline) as the word murdered.

I have had to work hard to become a childminder to meet the high standards as set out by Ofsted. I have to continue to adhere to these high standards all the time I am a practising childminder. I have to risk assess everything I do with the children, get insurances for public liability and to use my car with the children. I have to record when the children are in my care and record, in duplicate, any accidents or incident and keep records of these for just over 20 years after the accident/incident occurred. I have to do observations, planning and assessments and follow the Early Years Foundation Stage with the children to chart their learning and development. I currently work 50 hours a week and spend many more doing paper work, accounts etc.

Dont get me wrong, I love my job and wouldnt want to do anything else. There is nothing more pleasing and rewarding than having a child happily and confidently come to you and enjoy everything you do for and with them.

It is for this reason that I feel the need for clarification about the term "childminder" in this particular article and headline.

Often, people do not read a whole newspaper - they simply skim through and read the headlines. Therefore, someone reading the headline of this article will just assume that Ofsted registered childminders were responsible for this poor boys death. They will not know that it was just a friend who was "looking after" him.

I am not complaining about the article itself, as I do very much believe it is news worthy and what these detestable people did should be made public.

What I am complaining about is the use of the word "childminder" to describe the killers. I can kind of see how, in wanting to make a snappy headline, the word "childminder" is easier than putting "the people entrusted to care for him". But at no furher point in the article does the journalist make the clear distinction between these friends asked to look after Ryan and Ofsted Registered childminders. The two are completely different and this needs to be made clear.

I have written to the writer of the article, Mr Parker, expressing my same views. I also know other childminders have done so too.

But I do feel the need to complain to yourselves as it is very misleading and derogatory. I feel very angry and violated in having my job title used to describe 2 murderers who were asked to look after a child but abused the poor little mite and ultimately caused his sad death.

Thank you

sandy64
27-03-2010, 08:04 PM
thanks i will email to. your emails are all very good i really hope somone does a good write up with an apology to all us good childminders, pity it wouldnt bring back the lovely baby boy. so sad and never should of happened:angry:

babs
27-03-2010, 08:53 PM
ive emailed as well. might not be as good as some but i think i got my point across....

helenlc
27-03-2010, 09:45 PM
ive emailed as well. might not be as good as some but i think i got my point across....

Dont think it matters how good or bad they are - its the point about them being called "childminders" that is the most important.

And the more the merrier to get our point across!!

beccas
27-03-2010, 09:58 PM
i emailed him and press complaints lets see what happens.

dlissaman
27-03-2010, 10:52 PM
Hi i sent a private e mail to the man.

I explained that, in my opinion, his article was extremely insulting to all Ofsted Registered Childminders and suggest that he publically appologise for his ignorance of the correct job description of a 'Childminder'.

After a lot of waffle i concluded that i considered

'Your article has brought our professional name into disripute'.

jumpinjen
28-03-2010, 08:04 AM
I just wrote to the PCC:

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: http://www.kathybrodie.com/articles/sustained-shared-thinking-important.html

I am writing to complain to you about the Sun newspaper's inaccurate and damaging use of the word 'childminder' in connection with the sad death of this little boy. The people involved were NOT childminders, they were 'friends' of the little boy's mother and they killed him.

I am deeply offended, angry and concerned that the Sun should refer to them as 'childminders'. I am a professional childminder, ofsted registered, fully insured, I have an enhanced CRB clearance, as does my husband, I attend regular training and continuing professional development sessions, usually at my own cost and I strive to provide a loving, safe, stimulating environment in which the children I care for can thrive.

This type of coverage harms the image and status of childminders everywhere and actually increases the chances of such a tragedy happening again, as parents will read this and worry about sending their child to a registered childminder, so send them to friends instead.... and look what happened when Ryan was sent to friends.

I think the Sun has been incredibly irresponsible in printing this; if they were slurring an individual in such a blatantly incorrect and damaging fashion, they could be taken to court..... I am asking you to take them in hand over it and ensure that that they realise the impact of their irresponsible editing decisions.


I hope it makes a difference!

jen :(

jemima
28-03-2010, 09:39 AM
I just emailed Andrew Parker :eek: not like me at all!


I am writing to complain about your article "Ryan, 3... murdered by the childminders" published on 27 March 2010. As an Ofsted Registered Childminder, I take great offence at your use of the word 'childminders' to describe two monsters who are not Ofsted registered and therefore are NOT childminders.

My profession is already very misunderstood and many people do not know what is involved in Childminding and quite wrongly believe that I sit around all day drinking coffee and reading a magazine while the children in my care play. I am dedicated to caring for children and have had to go through a lengthy process to become registered as an Ofsted Registered Childminder. I am enhanced CRB checked as is my husband even though he rarely comes into contact with the children I care for, my house and garden have been checked by Ofsted. I have risk assessments for everything from outings to christmas tree decorations and attend many training courses (14 in the past 8 months) including Paediatric First Aid, Level 2 in Food Safety and Safeguarding Children. I work many hours a week (many of them on unpaid tasks such as training and paperwork), but I find my profession very rewarding.

I am sure that you did not consider Ofsted Registered Childminders like myself when you wrote your sensational headline and described these two 'humans' as childminders. I am deeply offended by your use of the word childminders to describe them and I would very much appreciate a public apology for the harm that you have done.

venus89
28-03-2010, 10:31 AM
I have also email the journalist and the PCC - let's hope they take us seriously and do something about this.

Alibali
28-03-2010, 03:16 PM
I've e-mailed PCC too.

Minstrel
28-03-2010, 08:09 PM
Anyone had any replies?

venus89
28-03-2010, 08:21 PM
Not yet - I almost feel sorry for the man. He'll open his inbox tomorrow in his seedy grubby little office and be confronted by hundreds of emails all demanding that he apologise for the slur on our good name.......

beccas
28-03-2010, 08:24 PM
i was thinking the same lol not expecting reply to at least tuesday...

venus89
28-03-2010, 08:26 PM
I'm not expacting a reply, unless it's an automated 'thenk you for your email' style reply. I imagine he's got quite a few emails to get through before he gets to mine.....

helenlc
28-03-2010, 08:47 PM
I think if he replied to each and every one of us, he will still be sending emails at Xmas!!!:laughing:

babs
28-03-2010, 08:49 PM
if we dont get a reply by friday i think we should all resend them till he does reply:laughing: :laughing:

beccas
28-03-2010, 09:38 PM
ha ha ha ha ha thats a good idea

Spangles
29-03-2010, 12:42 PM
I have read the online story now and I am annoyed that the people the child was given to were labelled as 'childminders' especially in the headline but I am more upset about the poor little man and how he was treated than that so, on this occasion, I'm not going to complain at the moment.

Maybe later when I'm not so upset by the story.

Good on you all for making the journalist aware of this though.

I can't believe that this sort of thing goes on, I know it does as there are so many stories but I just can't bear it. It breaks my heart, the things some poor children have to go through. Why on earth would anyone do that?

I just hope that they get what they deserve and not some pathetic, short sentence which doesn't relate to the monsters that they are. They should be locked away for the rest of their lives in solitary confinement with absolutely no perks and made to suffer.

Blackhorse
29-03-2010, 03:26 PM
SCMA have also sent a complaint about this news article.

I thought you might want to know...:thumbsup:

Alibali
29-03-2010, 06:32 PM
Got en e-mail back from PCC, they wanted to know which clause the complaint was under and will be happy to look into it.

Pipsqueak
29-03-2010, 06:35 PM
Got en e-mail back from PCC, they wanted to know which clause the complaint was under and will be happy to look into it.

Ditto:thumbsup: will have a look at the 'code' laters

helenlc
29-03-2010, 07:42 PM
My email from PCC said the most relevent one will be Code 1 which is Accuracy.

I shall compose and send my response tomorrow as brain has gone to sleep already tonight!!:laughing:

Karaza
08-04-2010, 08:25 AM
Was wondering if anybody had received any feedback yet pcc sent emails asking what clause it fitted but has anybody received an email reply from the sun or seen any article I may have missed correcting the error officially?

Desi-101
13-04-2010, 09:02 PM
I will be sending an email too! I will also be speaking to NCMA and hope they get involved in requesting an apology for all Childminders. I am fed up with the non-recognition we get.

Your letter was fantastic and sums us up pretty darn well thank you!

christine e
14-04-2010, 03:32 PM
I will be sending an email too! I will also be speaking to NCMA and hope they get involved in requesting an apology for all Childminders. I am fed up with the non-recognition we get.

Your letter was fantastic and sums us up pretty darn well thank you!

NCMA did respond - see link below

http://www.*************/news_and_events/news/january_to_june_2010/letter_to_the_sun.aspx

Pipsqueak
15-04-2010, 04:42 PM
Anyone heard anything back from The Sun or PCC?