Giving out Ofsted Reg number

**mgtrem** · 20-07-2011, 12:47 PM

Hey All,

I have read a couple of times on here that you guys dont give out your Ofsted registration number until parents have signed contracts. Can someone explain why this is please, I have included a copy of my reg cert in my info packs and now worried that I have done something stupid!!

Thank you

**Jiorjiina** · 20-07-2011, 01:07 PM

Parents use your reg number to claim for tax credits. If you give them the number, some of them will just take it an not use your service, while telling HMRC that they are just to get the money.

Also, other unregistered minders can hand it out as their own, and seem to be legitimate to parents who don't know any better.

Better to keep it safe until contracts are signed. You could include a photocopy of your reg cert with your number blanked out, if you really want. Or just have it on display at your house to show when parents visit.

**mgtrem** · 20-07-2011, 01:17 PM

Oh dear - had someone come and visit last week who was going to be using tax creidts, gave her a copy and not heard from her since. What a wally. Might give her a call

Thanks

**mumto3** · 20-07-2011, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by mgtrem

Oh dear - had someone come and visit last week who was going to be using tax creidts, gave her a copy and not heard from her since. What a wally. Might give her a call

Thanks

or u could ring tax credits to make sure shes not using ur number to claim

its very naughty how parents do this

**rickysmiths** · 20-07-2011, 01:39 PM

No I never give my number out until a Contract has been signed and a Deposit of 4 weeks fees is paid.

I will give them a copy of my report but it ha sthe number blanked off.

**mgtrem** · 20-07-2011, 01:55 PM

Whats even more worrying is that if you go onto the open family services website and put in your name there is a link on your page to the ofsted website with all you reg details on it

Surely that is just opening us up to a whole host of issues with tax credits. It also means that I can read the ofsted report of any childminder and know who they are. Not sure I'm happy about anyone and everyone being able to read my inspection report.

Thoughts?

**rickysmiths** · 20-07-2011, 02:14 PM

I have been fighting this for years. I have written to Ofsted and NCMA. I think we should have two numbers.

The one on all our registration info and no I don't have a problem generally speaking about anyone having access to it just the number.

Then another number that is used by parents for tax purposes etc.

**Ripeberry** · 20-07-2011, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by mgtrem

Oh dear - had someone come and visit last week who was going to be using tax creidts, gave her a copy and not heard from her since. What a wally. Might give her a call

Thanks

Just remind her that tax credits WILL check that the money is going to the right place. Might not be straight away but they will check..

**miffy** · 20-07-2011, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by Ripeberry

Just remind her that tax credits WILL check that the money is going to the right place. Might not be straight away but they will check..

Tax credits do seem to be checking up a lot more now than they used to!

Miffy xx

**flowerpots** · 20-07-2011, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by rickysmiths

I have been fighting this for years. I have written to Ofsted and NCMA. I think we should have two numbers.

The one on all our registration info and no I don't have a problem generally speaking about anyone having access to it just the number.

Then another number that is used by parents for tax purposes etc.

I agree

**Kezzle** · 29-07-2011, 01:18 PM

I too would ring tax credits and find out if your numbers being used or not when it shouldn't be.

**MAWI** · 29-07-2011, 01:25 PM

I definately wouldnt give it out until they sign contracts.

I had a lady come and visit me last week and all she was interested in was my Ofsted number and what day payment was due.

It was so blatantly obvious what she wanted, she has probably visited and got some other childminders number by now. She was not actually interested in anything I was asking about her child. Needless to say she has not called back as I wouldnt give her my number until contracts were signed.

Its awful, but we have to be wary.

**jaja** · 29-07-2011, 04:04 PM

i had a lady 2 weeks ago desperate for childcare apprently but when i said that i would need to meet them and discuss the childcare they needed before giving my ey number out they changed there mind all of a sudden, wasnt really suprised but i know some minders who would give it out witout question... xxxx

**Helcatt** · 29-07-2011, 07:07 PM

I had someone email asking for my number, saying they wanted to read my report.

I emailed back saying that I would give them a copy of my report to read when we meet and they would get my number on signing of contracts

Surprisingly, I didn't hear anything back!

**Susana0600** · 29-07-2011, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Helcatt

I had someone email asking for my number, saying they wanted to read my report.

I emailed back saying that I would give them a copy of my report to read when we meet and they would get my number on signing of contracts

Surprisingly, I didn't hear anything back!

I have exactly same thing a couple of weeks ago