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louisepretty
21-04-2010, 09:13 AM
:angry: :angry: :angry:

I'm so mad I had to come on here to let off steam. I think I may have just spoken to the most patronising woman in the world ever.

Trying to register so I can spend the 1000 vouchers we have collected and was told in no uncertain terms that head office have said not to register any childminders at all.

I had read the threads on here and was prepared for a bit of a fight but the woman shouted at me. I've got her name and an email address so going to compose a complaint when I've calmed down.

She said the children should go to nursery if they want to spend their vouchers. I used all the key words in my argument - Ofsted, discrimination, parental choice. I have 18 children in my care, I deliver free for 3/4 and parents choose to send their children to me instead of the local playgroup.

Why are Sainsburys so horrible? I told her that I know childminders who are registered and she said its a small office and that nobody has registered a childminder in there this year!

Thanks for listening :blush:

Hebs
21-04-2010, 09:48 AM
it is discrimination and i'm fed up of it

:angry: :angry: :angry:

next inspection i'm gonna say i dont deliver EYFS cos i'm not a nursery :angry: :angry:

RedDragon
21-04-2010, 09:49 AM
I've just had a long conversation with a lovely bloke called Mani from Sainsbury's Active Kids line.

He point blank refused to register me saying they have been told not to register Childminders.

He said he felt for me but there was nothing he could do.

I argued my case saying it was discrimination - he said it's because of the amount of vouchers we collect so I said what if they put a minimum amount to stop that problem - but nothing.

RedDragon
21-04-2010, 09:53 AM
I told him a lot of my CM friends were registered with Sainsburys Active Kids - he said those who were lucky enough to register will be ok but they are not taking any more on. He said it wasn't descrimation and that Sainsburys haven't been doing the vouchers as long as Tesco and Tesco were a much bigger company so hopefully Sainsburys would follow suit soon.

I had an answer for every bit of his arguement but he still wouldn't budge.

tracey36
21-04-2010, 09:58 AM
so frustrating how will we ever be seen as profesionals when things like this happen :( perhaps ncma should be contacted you never know they may just fight our corner

RedDragon
21-04-2010, 10:04 AM
Head Office of Sainsburys?

Wonder if Martin Lewis knows who it is. He usually gets things sorted.

Hebs
21-04-2010, 10:04 AM
so frustrating how will we ever be seen as profesionals when things like this happen :( perhaps ncma should be contacted you never know they may just fight our corner

i agree :thumbsup:

RedDragon
21-04-2010, 10:06 AM
If someone who can write a good argument on paper would do so I could pass it on to Martin's Money saving people-they are always up for a good cause - willing to fight our corner I bet.

What do you all reckon?



Also - would someone be willing to start a group on Facebook - I'm not confident enough to start one but will help in the running of it.

sandy64
21-04-2010, 01:55 PM
that is ridiculous c.m should have as much right as nursery after schoolcare and schools we work to all the national standards ofsted etc has anyone asked there network cordinators to ring? just a thought:)

georgie456
21-04-2010, 04:06 PM
If someone who can write a good argument on paper would do so I could pass it on to Martin's Money saving people-they are always up for a good cause - willing to fight our corner I bet.

What do you all reckon?



Also - would someone be willing to start a group on Facebook - I'm not confident enough to start one but will help in the running of it.

I would be up for joining a protest!!!! I'm not great at setting things up but would definitely add my support. I managed to register last year but am getting really fed up with Sainburys attitude to CM's. They register scouts and guides and I bet they don't get the patronising nursery excuse!

miffy
21-04-2010, 04:32 PM
That's really poor!

I'm lucky, I registered with Sainsburys two years ago (although it was a bit of a struggle then) and have had no problems since.

You could threaten them with the press and see if that makes a difference or if you live close enough to someone who is registered with them then you could give them your vouchers and let them order for you.

Miffy xx

Beetlejuice
21-04-2010, 04:38 PM
It makes me really cross :angry: I did manage to register this year but the guy on the phone wasn't going to do it. His argument was we wouldn't collect enough vouchers and the scheme was to benefit the local community. I argued that I served the local community - after a lot of sighing he registered me. Tbh I've not collected that many compared to my tesco vouchers and I wasn't that impressed with the sainsburys catalogue. I don't mind setting up a facebook page if nobody already has??

ETA if we have to deliver EYFS the same as nurseries we should be treated like them. I had a similar argument with the local fire station who refused to let our childminding association make an education visit :angry: but they wouldn't back down.

PixiePetal
21-04-2010, 04:39 PM
I have emailed Sainsburys active kids and waiting for reply :angry:

miffy
21-04-2010, 04:41 PM
I have emailed Sainsburys active kids and waiting for reply :angry:

I e-mailed them 2 years ago but got a sorry but no answer.

I got registered by ringing up until I found someone that agreed to do it.

Miffy xx

PixiePetal
21-04-2010, 04:55 PM
:update:

Just got the following email

Dear Jennie,

Thank you for your email.

Sainsbury's Active Kids is a voucher collection scheme for nurseries, schools, Scout and Guide groups and Clubmark accredited sports clubs. The scheme has not previously been open to Childminders.

We have a very thorough registration process to ensure that the organisations joining the scheme are properly checked and validated. So when a school registers to Active Kids we check their details against an educational establishment database and when a group or club registers to the scheme we check their details against databases that we have as a result of us working closely with the governing bodies of these organisations. We don't currently have a database of Childminders.

However, we have been talking to the NCMA about working with them to include Childminders in the scheme next year. Due to a number of registration requests from Childminders we are currently looking into whether we can register Childminders for Active Kids 2010 by using a registered Childminder's Ofsted number as verification. Please bear with us while we investigate this a bit further.

Please can I take your details and we will give you a call back as soon as we can to let you know if you can register.

Kind regards
Sainsbury's Active Kids Team



Well, we will see! NCMA are aware of the situation according to this so hope they fight our corner too.

louisepretty
21-04-2010, 05:05 PM
Hi Guys and thanks for the replies. I emailed Sainsburys after I ranted on here and this is the reply I received:

Hi Louise

My name is Victoria and I am the Active Kids Manager at Sainsbury’s. Your email has been passed on to me and I wanted to respond and let you know what Sainsbury’s are doing with regards to the issue you have raised.

I’m sure you know that Sainsbury’s Active Kids is a voucher collection scheme for nurseries, schools, Scout and Guide groups and Clubmark accredited sports clubs. The scheme has not previously been open to Childminders, however we are aware that some Childminders have been able to join.

We have a very thorough registration process to ensure that the organisations joining the scheme are properly checked and validated. So when a school registers to Active Kids we check their details against an educational establishment database and when a group or club registers to the scheme we check their details against databases that we have as a result of us working closely with the governing bodies of these organisations. We don’t currently have a database of Childminders.

We have been talking to the NCMA about working with them to include Childminders in the scheme next year. However, due to a number of registration requests from Childminders we are currently looking into whether we can register Childminders for Active Kids 2010 by using a registered Childminder’s Ofsted number as verification. Please bear with us while we investigate this a bit further.

I apologise that you didn’t get a better response from our contact centre. I will be in touch as soon as possible to let you know if we can register you.

Kind regards

Victoria

Victoria Redfern
Active Kids Sponsorship Manager
Direct no 020 7695 7808

I forwarded it all on to my mindees parents and some have sent their own complaints and pretty much got the same reply. In my original email I did mention NCMA and the local press but to no avail.

I also made her aware of the discussion on here as its not good for them. I've got this running on my own FB page but I've only got 38 friends :blush:

I don't know how to set up a campaign on FB but I know they are really effective and companies can change their policies. The whole excuse about not verifying us against a database is pathetic. Do they think we ring Ofsted and they just pop a certificate in the post, for goodness sake?

Oh, I had calmed down a bit as well :laughing:

louisepretty
21-04-2010, 05:12 PM
So I then replied to that email and this is the second response:

Hi Louise

Thanks for your reply. I am aware of the activity on internet forums and we are planning to put up a response so that childminders know we are looking into this.

We do want to ensure our registration process is proper and that’s why we use databases provided to us by the relevant trusted source, e.g. education direct and governing bodies. We don’t currently have a database for Childminders and so we are looking into whether we can get hold of one to verify registrations or whether there is a better process to follow. Please be assured if we did hold the childminders database we would of course comply with data protection rules.

The Ofsted certificate may well be the right way for us to verify registrations from childminders. We are looking into this as quickly as we can and so I hope to be able to get back to you very soon on how we will move forwards on this.

Kind regards

Victoria

Victoria Redfern

Active Kids Sponsorship Manager

Direct no 020 7695 7808

Not sure I like the idea of Sainsburys obtaining a childminders database. The way data gets lost so easily now I wouldn't want a list of every childminder in the country getting in to the wrong hands.

I wouldn't mind but the voucher schemes are all quite happy to have a photocopy of our Ofsted certificate and thats so the parents can claim tax relief. Worth far more than a few beanbags and wooden spoons, which is all I want!

PixiePetal
21-04-2010, 05:13 PM
Hi Guys and thanks for the replies. I emailed Sainsburys after I ranted on here and this is the reply I received:

Hi Louise

My name is Victoria and I am the Active Kids Manager at Sainsbury’s. Your email has been passed on to me and I wanted to respond and let you know what Sainsbury’s are doing with regards to the issue you have raised.

I’m sure you know that Sainsbury’s Active Kids is a voucher collection scheme for nurseries, schools, Scout and Guide groups and Clubmark accredited sports clubs. The scheme has not previously been open to Childminders, however we are aware that some Childminders have been able to join.

We have a very thorough registration process to ensure that the organisations joining the scheme are properly checked and validated. So when a school registers to Active Kids we check their details against an educational establishment database and when a group or club registers to the scheme we check their details against databases that we have as a result of us working closely with the governing bodies of these organisations. We don’t currently have a database of Childminders.

We have been talking to the NCMA about working with them to include Childminders in the scheme next year. However, due to a number of registration requests from Childminders we are currently looking into whether we can register Childminders for Active Kids 2010 by using a registered Childminder’s Ofsted number as verification. Please bear with us while we investigate this a bit further.

I apologise that you didn’t get a better response from our contact centre. I will be in touch as soon as possible to let you know if we can register you.

Kind regards

Victoria

Victoria Redfern
Active Kids Sponsorship Manager
Direct no 020 7695 7808

I forwarded it all on to my mindees parents and some have sent their own complaints and pretty much got the same reply. In my original email I did mention NCMA and the local press but to no avail.

I also made her aware of the discussion on here as its not good for them. I've got this running on my own FB page but I've only got 38 friends :blush:

I don't know how to set up a campaign on FB but I know they are really effective and companies can change their policies. The whole excuse about not verifying us against a database is pathetic. Do they think we ring Ofsted and they just pop a certificate in the post, for goodness sake?

Oh, I had calmed down a bit as well :laughing:


standard reply then - identical to mine! :angry:

RedDragon
21-04-2010, 05:13 PM
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2418881&highlight=sainsburys

louisepretty
21-04-2010, 05:25 PM
Thanks for that link - I've registered and posted on there too! As if EYFS wasn't hard enough we have all this to deal with as well.

Seriously asking myself if its worth ALL the effort :(

louise
21-04-2010, 07:04 PM
Hi. Sorry you guys are not able to reg. I managed to last year and i know a local childminder did this year. The only problem she had was when she was somehow added onto my account. Not sure how the hell they managed that but they did. Fair enough i dont get as much but i did get some nice bits. Any way a lot of the larger value stuff is stuff that come as a group of 6 scooters ect. If anyone is in west sussex i dont mind adding your order to mine.

louise
21-04-2010, 07:08 PM
Oh also if you go on the search orginisation and choose school/nursery you will see if anyone has managed to register local to you. I come up as a childminder 2 others come up by name

MacFi
21-04-2010, 07:18 PM
I registered with them a few weeks ago and I only have one mindee! Got a massive box through the post with a banner the size of my house.
More than happy to put through any requests people have for stuff if they dont come good.
What about the power of mumsnet? they love jumping on a band wagon :)

louisepretty
21-04-2010, 08:46 PM
I registered with them a few weeks ago and I only have one mindee! Got a massive box through the post with a banner the size of my house.
More than happy to put through any requests people have for stuff if they dont come good.
What about the power of mumsnet? they love jumping on a band wagon :)

That is so kind for you to offer but I'm hoping they will change their silly rules and allow childminders to register properly. Hopefully if everybody on this forum keeps ringing and trying to register they'll get the message!

Going to try Tesco's tomorrow as got loads of their vouchers too!

RedDragon
22-04-2010, 06:21 AM
Martin's Money Saving site is not being very sympathetic :panic:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2418881&highlight=sainsburys

RedDragon
22-04-2010, 09:05 AM
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...ght=sainsburys


I need someone to reply to the last post on the Money saving site.

Can anyone write a good piece saying how many children CMs usually care for and the fact neighbours and friends give us vouchers.

:)

Thanks whoever can do it.

loocyloo
22-04-2010, 09:32 AM
i've replied!

a mum said last year, that she would rather give them to me, so the children actually benefit from the equipment, rather than school buying something her children will never use!

louisepretty
22-04-2010, 09:40 AM
I've replied to that thread and quoted numbers relevant to myself as I don't have any official statistics.

Not heard from Sainsburys either today but considering ringing them daily just to try and register. If lots of childminders keep doing it they may get fed up!

Have I already suggested that, going slightly mad with it all now :blush:

aly
22-04-2010, 09:46 AM
it's funny how they worked with ncma for this

http://www.*************/pdf/NCMA%20eNews%2003-04-09.pdf

but then not allow childmidners to have the vouchers!!

louisepretty
22-04-2010, 09:47 AM
Why are the MSE's being so horrible? Had to reply to the 'childless' one - s/he could give all his/her vouchers to me so that I CAN'T redeem them!

aly
22-04-2010, 09:47 AM
http://www3.sainsburys.co.uk/littleones/parenting/item/you/choosing-chidlcare

RedDragon
22-04-2010, 09:52 AM
Strange how the MSE'ers are not being their usual charitable selves lol

Ah well - WE know we should be allowed to redeem the vouchers - the replies you have given are brilliant.:thumbsup:

louisepretty
29-04-2010, 01:15 PM
I have just received the following email from Sainsbury's:

I am writing to let you know that Sainsbury’s has reviewed this issue and unfortunately as this year’s Active Kids scheme is already well underway we are unable to change the registration rules at this late stage.

As you know schools, Scout and guide groups and Clubmark accredited sports clubs can take part in the scheme. We've focussed on these organisations because they cater for large numbers of children, so when these organisations collect vouchers and participate in Active Kids many young people benefit from the scheme. Over 42,000 organisations are registered to Active Kids and almost every school in the UK is registered and therefore benefits from Active Kids. We do review the scheme every year and as a consequence the scheme has evolved since its launch 5 years ago to include groups as well as schools.

I appreciate you will be disappointed with this decision. Please feel free to contact me on the below number.

Kind regards

Victoria

Victoria Redfern

Active Kids Sponsorship Manager
Direct no 020 7695 7808
Mobile no 07825 935 755

Now they were registereing childminders until 2 weeks ago and they changed their registration rules to not allow childminders to register any longer. Now it seems they are unable to change their rules as the scheme is already running. With all the talk about best outcomes for children with the looming election I am amazed they are being so openly discriminatory.

I haven't replied beacuse I am too cross at the moment!

maisiemog
29-04-2010, 01:49 PM
I've managed to register with sainsburys no problems but it makes me laugh that they say we don't care for enough children!

I help to run a guide unit as well and I have more children on my books than we have guides at the moment! Admittedly I didn't tell Sainsburys that 2 of children I have on my books are school holidays only but thats not the point!

I'm not doing too badly with the vouchers but it does help that my sister is a checkout girl at sainsburys.

I bet they'd have something to say if we decided to boycott them and not spend our money there! They'd soon want to register us if they started losing customers!

louisepretty
29-04-2010, 08:34 PM
I have forwarded all the emails on to a freelance journalist acquaitence(?) of mine. She writes for the big broadsheets and she is going to look in to whether she can make a story out of it. She specialises in education pieces!

Failing that she is going to put the wind up the Sainsbury's press department :laughing:

I looked on Jamie Olivers website too as their attitude is not really in keeping with his healthy kids campaign but there isn't a way to contact him. Can't post on his wall on Facebook either!

louise
29-04-2010, 08:43 PM
How about his Twitter account? Good luck with it all

louisepretty
29-04-2010, 08:50 PM
Now - I've heard a lot about Twitter but haven't plucked up the courage to even look at it?

Is it easy? Will I get bombarded with emails from them? :panic:

louise
29-04-2010, 09:12 PM
I don't get any emails unless someone asks to follow me or i get a personal message. All it is is like facebook updates. I don't really message on it as i just like having a nose at eveyone else. Mind you i updated that i was waiting to go in for Strictly come dancing and they started to follow me!Jamie Oliver adds a lot on it at the mo so might be worth ago.

RedDragon
30-04-2010, 09:49 AM
http://www.jamieoliver.com/contact/

You can write to Jamie's office: Enquiries, P.O. Box 51372, London N1 7WX