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Erika
29-03-2010, 07:35 PM
Hi guys I write as a parent, not a childminder. My (lovely) childminder had her inspection, during which the inspector noticed my daughter is not like other kids her age. Childminder explained that she has a disability which affects her co-ordination and has speech and language delay and gets occupational therapy and speech and language therapy to help with this. Well, the inspector has told my childminder that she has to "do things" (what things she didn't specify) with my daughter to help with her condition and she must write all of this down, including details of the professional therapy she gets. Childminder was a bit put out that she is expected to do therapy with DD and set up care plans for this and I agree with her wholeheartedly.

For goodness sake, she has 5 kids to look after all at the same time, in between school runs and all the ridiculous amounts of paperwork she has to contend with - she has enough to do as it is, without having to provide therapy too! Additionally, my childminder (though excellent) is not a therapist. Quite how they expect her to devise a plan of care for something she is not qualified in is beyond me.

Further, my daughters therapy is given by the therapists in school and I am also provided with exercises to do at home with her. The instructions I get from her therapists specify how many minutes of therapy for how many days and the type of therapy - this can vary from one week to the next. One thing that they have stressed to me is never to go over the time limits set as too much will be counter-productive to DD. So I have several reasons why my childminder should not be doing therapy aside from the fact that she shouldn't be ****** well expected to. It's 1:1 therapy too. I'm also quite funny about unessecery information being held about my children and don't feel that it's any of the Care Commision's business. My daughter's therapy is between me and her therapists. Even the school don't interfere with it, the therapists attend, do what they need to do and leave. Sure the childminder can write down on DD's personal file that she has a disability and receives therapy but that's all that is needed as far as I am concerned as her disability doesn't require anything other than what a "normal" child requires whilst at the childminder; she doesn't require specialist care.

Childminder advised me that the Care Commision are quite draconion when it comes to these matters and she'll get marked down next time if she doesn't do it, unless I specifically request this is not done. I told her that I would write a letter to the Care Commission about it.

so guys, I am looking for as many childminder's perspectives on this as I can get, to give me ideas of what to put in the letter.

sarah707
29-03-2010, 08:24 PM
There are a number mentions in the Care Standards for Scotland about disability and childminders working with children, other professionals and parents to support them in their care.

I remember when I was working through the Care Standards for a recent Scottish e-book I was writing, I was actually quite surprised by how much is expected of a childminder in this respect.

However, at the same time I totally understand what you are saying about the possible counter-productive way in which anything your childminder does might affect your child. As you say she is not a trained therapist and might do more harm than good if she starts meddling - plus of course she cannot offer the one-to-one therapy your daughter needs.

I would say the angle to take is 'play'. The Care Standards and the new Scottish Curriculum for Excellence both focus on play as the main remit of the childminder.

Therefore the childminder's responsibility is to meet the needs of each child through playful interactions and by following the child's interests in a playful environment.

If your childminder is doing this then it can be argued that she is meeting your daughter's needs... including offering the social aspects of a childminding service (they are called services in Scotland, not settings), plus of course the other aspects such as offering a healthy balanced diet, keeping your child safe etc.

Please do not hesitate to pm me if you would like any comments on any letter you put together.

I hope this helps :D

The Juggler
30-03-2010, 06:32 AM
that's awful! I think the point you mentioned about your therapists specifying specific time/s amounts of therapy is the best route and that the therapy has to be one to one. If there is group related therapy then clearly your childminder could be involved.

I would say that the important thing is she has copies of the therapists reports on your child's file at her house to show shared information (as long as you are happy) or to show she's aware at least.

What a lovely parent to stick up for your childminder like this. Let us know how you get on.

Blackhorse
30-03-2010, 06:55 AM
Hi,

I am looking after a child with additional needs and what I so is that I meet with her therapists to see what can be done. They share some activities with me that I can do with her in the home. I write the results of this down and hand it back to the therapists.
I have also devised some similar activities that I can do with the child in support of her needs that also include the other children so we can do things together...but that is all based on what I have been told my the professional support she has....
That way I show that I am working together with them and that I am supporting the child's needs.
In your case the therapists might just put a note to your cm to not do any of these things and the reason why. She can then use this as evidence for the cc that she is working with the other agencies and that she is doing what is best for the child. You could maybe also give her something in writing that she should not be doing certain things. Working in partnership with the parents surely must mean not going against their wishes!
It can be hard sometimes but I also think different care commission officers have different standards and if I was your cm, I would challenge this and gather my evidence.

hope that helps

Sarah, the curriculum for excellence is not for childminders but only for nurseries I have been told. (although I like the look of it we are supposedly not to follow it...what is your take on that?)

sarah707
30-03-2010, 07:12 AM
Sarah, the curriculum for excellence is not for childminders but only for nurseries I have been told. (although I like the look of it we are supposedly not to follow it...what is your take on that?)

Having read it, it contains examples of excellent practice for both care and education of young children.

I feel it is something which all childminders should at least be aware of... even to the point of looking through it and considering it from a self assessment point of view.

Perhaps if only to embed the very best bits in your service as there is no doubt the good practice it contains will benefit all the children.

It is different from the Eyfs in that it is not the law so Scottish childminders do not have to follow it... yet!

Hth :D

Curly Quavers
30-03-2010, 10:17 AM
From a parents point of view if you have been told that too much could end up having an adverse effect on your daughter then I agree you should send the cc a letter to say this and you do not want your childminder to be getting involved in this area.

I would also make sure your childminder has a copy of the letter you send to the cc to keep in your daughters file so come inspection time they can not plead ignorance.

If your childminder feels she has been down graded becuase of this then If I were her I would be ready to appeal it when the time comes and fight tooth and nail to get her grade pushed up.

We can not live in fear of ofsted and the cc if we feel strongly enough they are either wrong or simply sticking noses where they are not wanted or required to be.

I will climb down from my soap box now :D