Fed up with NCMA attendance reg, does anyone make their own?

**berkschick** · 27-01-2009, 09:51 PM

The NCMA attendance reg is annoying me now! I spend so long flicking back and forth through it trying to find the right child and month. I think its harder because I have 9 part timers so there are pages and pages to look through.

So I have decided to use my own one in a folder seperated into names for ease and also confidentially reasons.

Does anyone do anything similar? Does anyone have one a could have a peek at?

**squiggle** · 27-01-2009, 09:56 PM

i use a large diary.

I list each childs name and put time in and time out and each parent signs in. but i found out on a course last night that parents need to sign a child in and sign them out so got to add an extra bit in on mine.

have done this since i started minding and it has worked well
xx

**miss mopple** · 27-01-2009, 09:57 PM

I do my own. I have one sheet per child, per month and detail contracted hrs, actual hrs with a seperate column for overtime hrs to bill for my records

**green puppy** · 27-01-2009, 10:02 PM

Sorry, I use the ncma one and stick a post it note on the side of the pages in use with childs initials on and remove it when page is complete and signed off. Could you take the binding off of the ncma one, hole punch and pop in a folder?

**rickysmiths** · 27-01-2009, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by miss mopple

I do my own. I have one sheet per child, per month and detail contracted hrs, actual hrs with a seperate column for overtime hrs to bill for my records

The whole point of the reister is not to record contracted hours but to record ACTUAL HOURS to the MINUITE that the mindee is in your care.

This is vital from a child protection point of view. It is also very important that the parent signs the register at least once a week confirming that the times are correct.

Also if you have a dispute with parents over hours and it has surprised me over the years, some of them will swear black is white but if you have a signed register you have an acctual record that they have agreed to.

If you are a member of NCMA be aware that if you do not have a signed copy of their register and you need to use the free legal help you will be stuck. They always ask for copies of you signed register in respect of the child and copies of your conracts.

I have been using the NCMA registers for13yrs now and have never had any problems in fact to the contrary. I have lots of children on my books at the moment as well.

All you need are some post its with each childs name on sticking out from their page in the book and you can find the right page very quickly.

Just seen your post Green Puppy. Thank goodness there is someone else out there!

The number of times the register question is raised I was beginning to feel I was the only one doing this.

**misst104** · 27-01-2009, 10:21 PM

Blimey, it all sounds very confusing

**sue m** · 27-01-2009, 10:35 PM

I use the childminding record of attendance from the Bromley website. I always put exactly what time they arrived and left and Dad signs it and me at the end of the week.

**Sophiestar** · 28-01-2009, 05:59 PM

I use ncma attendance forms but pull them out of the book and put them in the childs own individual folder.

**StaffsMinder** · 28-01-2009, 09:03 PM

I have a signing in and out book. Just an a4 book with childs name, time in, parent sig, time out parent sig across the top. For visitors I have a seperate book.

**mrs c** · 28-01-2009, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by sue m

I use the childminding record of attendance from the Bromley website. I always put exactly what time they arrived and left and Dad signs it and me at the end of the week.

You just said "Dad signs me" So where exactly do you get signed?

Sorry - I've just had a long dreary night trying to sort policies and your comment has cheered me up. Thanks

**mum2two** · 29-01-2009, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by rickysmiths

If you are a member of NCMA be aware that if you do not have a signed copy of their register and you need to use the free legal help you will be stuck. They always ask for copies of you signed register in respect of the child and copies of your conracts.

NCMA do ask for it, but I didn't realise at the time, and only I had signed it. Still sent it off - wasn't questioned, as at the end of the day the parents agree to pay for the contracted hours, not actual hours, and I obtained a CCJ. No money - but that's another issue!!

I do now get parents to sign the register every month!

xx

**HomefromHome** · 29-01-2009, 06:02 PM

i've always used ncma's blue register book with no problems.
i just get parents to sing off the weeks every month.
i've only got two at the mo so not so bad, but the post it note idea's a good one - thanku!

**PixiesDen** · 01-02-2009, 09:09 AM

Does anyone know where you can get the stick on tabs like pieces that go on the edge of papers in a file ( its like having a divider in there but is more flexible.....the ones I have seen are plastic fold over design and would help with this kind of query.

**charlie28** · 01-02-2009, 03:42 PM

i do my own, its so easier

**Jules12Wed** · 01-02-2009, 06:17 PM

I've done my own tabs for other things. Just type or write on a piece of paper and use the wide clear tape that you can get two for a £ from the £shop. and stick it on to a piece of paper or card works really well.

I do make my own attendance records which I print off of the computer. I'm not with NCMA so assume this is ok. If anyone wants a copy I'm happy to share.

**The Juggler** · 02-02-2009, 01:23 PM

I do my own as I have 8 part-timers. I do fill in actual hours for CP reasons but had no idea it had to be signed off.

May get parents to sign monthly to say they agree but like the idea of a sign in and sign out book too.

Thanks. would never have been aware of this if I hadn't read the site!

nx

**HomefromHome** · 02-02-2009, 01:25 PM

have just found a new pack of post-its (clear out at the weekend) and they have tab thingys in them too!!! how cool is that!!! (i know sad, but i lurve stationary!!)

**magicminding** · 02-02-2009, 07:43 PM

I was told by an Ofsted inspector that parents don't need to sign - and it isn't in the welfare requirements.

I see and take the point re NCMA legal - don't use them i use Morton.

I do however have diaries for my families where I confirm times on a daily basis, so they can always query it with me if they disagree!

big debate on my dhc at the moment - so this was an interesting read!

**barbarella68** · 02-02-2009, 08:09 PM

You are right you don't need to sign,if you had some of the parents I have they are always moaning and whinging about all the paper work they have to sign,when I first started I did it all the time after a while the parents started saying (oh I signed that last week).They are a right pain in the rear,I feel like saying just sign the b****y register will you.

**huggableshelly** · 04-02-2009, 02:13 PM

I made my own but its the same layout as the ncma page.

my pc is in the same room where *****mind so I have the document open on my pc each day and just open each childs spreadsheet when needed.

This is then printed at the end of each month and signed by parents and myself, parents know the information is kept on the pc and are happy that the register is kept in this format.

I used to use the ncma book but I have 11 part timetimers and find it a pain to keep flicking pages.