FUMING!!!

[~Chelle~]

Or I would book an appointment to see her making out I was looking for a minder.Imagine HER face if you turned up at her door

Angel xx

Would love to be a fly on the wall there lol

[Maza]

How annoying. You could really make her squirm if you are feeling naughty - keep emailing her asking if she would like her place and tell her you have turned down other parents because you are waiting to hear from her, making calls pretending to be a potential parent and arranging an appointment etc. Or you could follow some of the more professional advice given!

[caz3007]

I had a mum ring me to make an appointment. I went to toddler group the next week and was introduced to said parent as someone who was registering. I cancelled the appointment, I wouldnt have minded if she had asked for help, but to underhandly ring me and then turn up at toddler group, was a bit out of order.

[Blue Boy]

So sorry to hear your news As Playmate said it happened to us aswell Are you a member of the NCMA and if so have you got a local Development Officer? if so it might be an idea to speak to them and tell them what has happened. If the other Low Life(Sorry but that is what thet are )is also in the NCMA they the DO will know and the can have a little word with them.
I know it wont solve anything but they may think again if they know they have been caught out.

[Chimps Childminding]

If she was just out to get your policies etc. then that its just downright mean. After all, as others have said we have all been new minders at one time or another and needed help, but to ask for help rather than steal someone elses ideas, not to mention time would have been better.

On the other hand she could genuinely be looking for care for her child .

I would be inclned to chase her up, saying you have others after the space and is she interested and if she messes you about, then maybe do as someone else suggested and ring to see if she has any spaces and go visit!!!

The look on her face would be priceless!!!!

Whatever you do, I would certainly make sure that she knows that you know

Good luck

[georgie456]

I think a few of us have learnt the hard way in the past to never give out policies etc until contracts are signed and deposits are taken!!!!

Sorry this happened to you. I would most definitely be contacting my development officer to voice my displeasure!!! What an underhand thing to do

[Rubybubbles]

that sucks

[funemnx]

What a rotten thing for her to do!

If she was genuinely looking for childcare then she would have mentioned that she was a childminder or ex-childminder herself in conversation surely? It would only be natural!

Maybe we should all e-mail her with an enquiry

[holly...007]

Thanks for all your help girls, you really are a lovely bunch! x

.... Angel... I like your style!

.... as for chasing her up an confronting her, I'm a chicken when it comes to standing up for myself.... I felt better after posting my rant!

I'll just put the whole thing down to experience and a hard lesson learnt. I've also learnt that it's dog eat dog out here in the world of self emloyment! lol!

P.S. I never even thought that she could actually be an ex childminder! Could happen I suppose... but strange not to drop it into a 2 hour long visit!

[candylove13]

If its genuine she will get in contact. I would definitely do a follow email or phone call to see if she wants the place. If you don't want to confront her head on then don't let on you know she is a CM.

I would get a copy of her flyer and show it to development worker and ask if they know her. Its a terrible thing and I think most of us if just asked would be willing to help or share ideas with others. You only have to visit this forum to see that.

I had a lady ring a few months back enquiring about childcare. I don't know why but the questions seemed strange and she was very clued up for a parent looking for childcare (knew all about Ofsted regulations) I agreed to call her back as it was home time and lots of parents at the door. I googled her number and it was another CM I laugh it off now but its not nice.

Although, when I was pre-reg my DO suggested ringing round local minders to find out about fees and competition, not letting on who I was. This was something I could not do, its way too sneaky and its not hard to find out the going rate in your area. It may be the case she has been advised to do it, to strengthen her business but taking the policies is really

Name and shame

[The Juggler]

i would phone her and ask her outright why she did this. I have to always find out.

Tell her you would happily have helped a newbie out but this is out and out stealing and laziness.

sock it to her

[Tealady]

What hours is she after? If she's advertising perhaps she has a part time job until things pick up.

I have a part time job and was looking for a childminder. Sent out 5 enquiries fully explaining that I was a Childminder but as I had no mindees I was working part time so needed care. Not one got back to me, and I wondered if it was because they thought I would poach ideas, paperwork or mindees.

My DS therefore started Pre-school at 15mnths and I feel such a hypocrite being a childminder and then sending my LO to Pre-school

[holly...007]

It was care for full time. Anyway, I emailed her lastnight after the gentle persuasion from you lot! I didn't let on I know she is a childminder (have done more research, she has an ad on gumtree... A very recent one!!!) .... So far nowt back

Its a lesson I've learnt.... I won't be so open and time giving with my next parent visit! Friendly but professional

[rickysmiths]

Oh dear. Well I'm a great believer in 'What goes round comes round'. She be done herself one day and hear her bleat about it.

[cupcake22]

I had a couple come to see me a few weeks ago. I gave them my profile folder with info about myself & all my references & a folder with all my polices & paperwrk. The had a quick flick through my policies & the hubby said " can we have a copy of these to take away & read at home as its & lot to read now".
All other parents that have come to see in the past haven't had a problem reading it there & then. I said no these are my own work & have taken hours to writing to get them perfect. I refused & said you will be given a copy of them if & when the contact is signed. I also said you will need to sign to say that you have read & understood them.
They didnt even bother to read my references. They soon left & I never heard from them again although on an advertising website they are still looking for childcare. You can never be to carefull.

Cupcake22

[holly...007]

Yeah, I have a parent file with all policies printed too for parents to read while I play with lil one or make a cuppa. She told me it was too much to read in one go! I'm so silly and kicking myself over the whole thing. Too trusting is what I am!

On another note... I have a plan .... My sis is goina give her a visit next week... just to see exactly what she has copied from me ... (If anything!) Its not just the policies I'm annoyed about, I showed her around every room on my ground floor, recipe books I'll be using, a scrap book of activities, planners, there was nothing I couldn't answer for her. I worked my ass off that evening trying to seal the deal.

TIMEWASTER!!!! I HOPE YOU ARE READING THIS POST!!!!

[fiona]

i know how you feel, i had the same thing when i first started 4yrs ago now, and then we were both inspected and the inspector came to me first, turned up at the other cm's house a week later (we registered the same day) and recognised my paperwork!!!!! i was asked to produce proof they were mine!!!! lucky for me they had my little sayings in and i had the memory stick, she had nothing but hard copies!!!! i was given a good she got poor!!!!! serves her right, we haven't spoken since!!