Why do parent not fill on there profile on childcare.co.UK?

[Anacrusis]

I've had a few of these and it's usually because they've just joined the site and their profile is being approved - when I checked again the next day the profile has been there.

[bunyip]

I am not familiar with what parents can put on this particular profile but...personally...the only information that is useful is what I gather when I interview parents on their 1st visit and from the reference they give me for them

Parents can put what they like on their profile...some appear to be confused between a CM and a baby sitter as well?
That won't do.

I can understand parents being confused about a "childminder" and a "babysitter". Leaving aside the fact that I know some babysitters who are far better with children than some CMs, to many parents it's nothing more than a matter of terminology which seems to matter more to those who are 'in the business' than those who want to use their services.

The ones I really cannot understand are the parents who are advertising for a babysitter (only) but say they must have "relevant qualifications". Would that be a level 3 in babysitting, or the full Babysitting DPhil (Oxon) ?

[tulip0803]

My favourite local one is still the parent looking for someone (childminder/part-time nanny/babysitter) who can help during early morning, some afternoons, almost every other and some evenings. Also "CRB's are a must as well as 3 references that come from a professional (eg. Someone works for the NHS, Government, Council, Emergency services or military.) British Nationals only as we saw a programme recently of human trafficking and how foreign nationals can easily smuggle kids out of the country. Passport and drivers licence needs to be presented and will be photocopied. THIS IS NO JOKE!" They are still looking after more than a year - keeps being updated with an ever changing age for child as LO gets older.

And the one that needs a childminder for when their children are ill and off school.

[rickysmiths]

My favourite one at the moment is someone wanting a babysitter/childminder to go to the home but experience not needed as only there to support grandma with the care for 1 child and you will never be left alone with said child. They have viewed my profile

I saw that one too!!!

[Simona]

I can understand parents being confused about a "childminder" and a "babysitter". Leaving aside the fact that I know some babysitters who are far better with children than some CMs, to many parents it's nothing more than a matter of terminology which seems to matter more to those who are 'in the business' than those who want to use their services.

The ones I really cannot understand are the parents who are advertising for a babysitter (only) but say they must have "relevant qualifications". Would that be a level 3 in babysitting, or the full Babysitting DPhil (Oxon) ?

Or it could be that some parents are aware that CMs can now wear many hats?
We can work from home or in someone else's house...join a school for wraparound care and such like

One thing I am aware of is that parents are not worried about paying babysitters a lot more than they would a CM...not sure about your area Bunyip but around here babysitters are paid 50% more than CMs receive in funding with all the related regulations, paperwork and forever changing legislations.

[bunyip]

From what I've seen and heard, babysitters in my area generally want 300%+ of the funded childcare rate. (Tbf, they'll do the hourly rate for up to 3 children at a time.) Plus they frequently expect the parents to provide a taxi home.

In my day, you did babysitting for a few quid and a raid of the fridge/drinks cabinet/mum's knicker drawer/etc. whilst you got your homework done.

[bunyip]

My favourite local one is still the parent looking for someone (childminder/part-time nanny/babysitter) who can help during early morning, some afternoons, almost every other and some evenings. Also "CRB's are a must as well as 3 references that come from a professional (eg. Someone works for the NHS, Government, Council, Emergency services or military.) British Nationals only as we saw a programme recently of human trafficking and how foreign nationals can easily smuggle kids out of the country. Passport and drivers licence needs to be presented and will be photocopied. THIS IS NO JOKE!" They are still looking after more than a year - keeps being updated with an ever changing age for child as LO gets older.

And the one that needs a childminder for when their children are ill and off school.

I think this, together with many, many parent profiles on childcare.co.uk suggests that a large chunk of the general public divide the childcare industry into:-

1. nurseries
2. everybody else.

Fat lot of use asking for references from "professionals". The word was long since rendered meaningless as everyone in any sort of employment, including the teenager working the Saturday night shift at MacDonalds regards themselves as a "professional" these days. The list of suggested "professionals" is helpful though; they're clearly limiting it to 'professions' under regular investigation for safeguarding scandals plus a few trained killers.

Can't imagine why they seem to be struggling to find the right person though...........

[smurfette]

I did actually have a parent recently who wanted a photocopy of my registration cert and mine and Dhs passport!

[KateA]

I did actually have a parent recently who wanted a photocopy of my registration cert and mine and Dhs passport!

This is where I would be polity saying sorry no you cant not have a copy, they will always be here for you to see. Does anyone actually give copies of these? Would thought this could leave you open to all sorts of identity theft.

[smurfette]

This is where I would be polity saying sorry no you cant not have a copy, they will always be here for you to see. Does anyone actually give copies of these? Would thought this could leave you open to all sorts of identity theft.

Exactly! So I didn't give it and actually they were very nice to work with once we got past this! He was a social worker

[Simona]

I think this, together with many, many parent profiles on childcare.co.uk suggests that a large chunk of the general public divide the childcare industry into:-

1. nurseries
2. everybody else.

Fat lot of use asking for references from "professionals". The word was long since rendered meaningless as everyone in any sort of employment, including the teenager working the Saturday night shift at MacDonalds regards themselves as a "professional" these days. The list of suggested "professionals" is helpful though; they're clearly limiting it to 'professions' under regular investigation for safeguarding scandals plus a few trained killers.

Can't imagine why they seem to be struggling to find the right person though...........

Perhaps the place where they advertise should make clear the difference between nurseries, preschools, nannies and CMs before parents place the advert? does it have a separate section or is it all in one?


Are parents really that confused as Wilshaw says that it is a nightmare for them to navigate and find the right sort of childcare ?
I personally do not think so if you listen to mothers' gatherings at Stay and Play sessions I think they are all too aware of the difference.

You are possibly right that references may not be that useful...neither is what parents put on a profile...however...I wonder how many Cms actually ask parents for 'their' references to check their potential as good payers and for general info...my feeling is that a lot of CMs feel they are being interviewed by parents when in fact it is the other way round?

[bunyip]

Perhaps the place where they advertise should make clear the difference between nurseries, preschools, nannies and CMs before parents place the advert? does it have a separate section or is it all in one?


Are parents really that confused as Wilshaw says that it is a nightmare for them to navigate and find the right sort of childcare ?
I personally do not think so if you listen to mothers' gatherings at Stay and Play sessions I think they are all too aware of the difference.

You are possibly right that references may not be that useful...neither is what parents put on a profile...however...I wonder how many Cms actually ask parents for 'their' references to check their potential as good payers and for general info...my feeling is that a lot of CMs feel they are being interviewed by parents when in fact it is the other way round?

Richard's website is absolutely clear about the differences - have a look for yourself. As with most sites, the most useful stuff can be found via the links at the foot of the homepage. Within 5 seconds the user can be on pages headed "what is a childminder?" or "what makes a good babysitter?" or "what is the difference between a childminder and a nanny?" and so on and so forth.

Unfortunately, in this high-speed modern information age, a lot of people are too busy being 'high speed' and don't take the time to find out the information. In fact, research on webpage design shows that most people think that scrolling to the bottom of a page is way too much of an effort.


But, as you say, there are a lot of parents who do take the time to find out the facts. Remember we're dealing with people and generally speaking, people tend to be a problem to a greater or lesser degree: some will and some won't inform themselves.

TBH, I'm not sure it's Richard's job to filter out the wheat from the chaff in this way. Now if it were my website, the first thing they'd have to do is click on a checkbox confirming they're not a complete idiot. But then that would be "offensive", wouldn't it...............?

[Simona]

Richard's website is absolutely clear about the differences - have a look for yourself. As with most sites, the most useful stuff can be found via the links at the foot of the homepage. Within 5 seconds the user can be on pages headed "what is a childminder?" or "what makes a good babysitter?" or "what is the difference between a childminder and a nanny?" and so on and so forth.

Unfortunately, in this high-speed modern information age, a lot of people are too busy being 'high speed' and don't take the time to find out the information. In fact, research on webpage design shows that most people think that scrolling to the bottom of a page is way too much of an effort.


But, as you say, there are a lot of parents who do take the time to find out the facts. Remember we're dealing with people and generally speaking, people tend to be a problem to a greater or lesser degree: some will and some won't inform themselves.

TBH, I'm not sure it's Richard's job to filter out the wheat from the chaff in this way. Now if it were my website, the first thing they'd have to do is click on a checkbox confirming they're not a complete idiot. But then that would be "offensive", wouldn't it...............?

If you say the website is very clear than no reason to go and check...I do not use it myself
The reason for saying was a result of what one parents mentioned a while ago...maybe she was confused herself

Thanks for the replies ...again very useful and triggering reflection on how to inform parents