help asap!! assistant.sick
Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  1
Dislikes Dislikes:  0
Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Halesowen (Near Rowley Regis)
    Posts
    350
    Registered Childminder since
    dec 12
    Latest Inspection Grade
    OUTSTANDING
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default help asap!! assistant.sick

    Ok....assistant has called in sick. Shes reliable and its sick sick so.blergh.good girl callin.in

    Problem. In the process.of sorting second assistant to.work part time so.they.cover each others sickness etc....obviously not got one yet!

    I.have.5 in today....one being my own son.

    What an.earth.do i do?

    *cancel 2 children if so....who
    *or can i ask a childminder friend.if she wouldnt.mind.coming.over if.she has spaces so kiddies are in.familiar.environment and.she has.those 2 kiddies.fees which helps? Or.is.it a nono as she isnt.registered.for.my.home

    Argh.never.thought.i.would be.in.this situation....im in a right flap

    Any.help be fab.sorry.bout the full stops on my new phone and my sausage fingers dont like the screen

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    south coast
    Posts
    2,978
    Registered Childminder since
    Oct 12
    Latest Inspection Grade
    over it ;-)
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I was in a situation like this and I did cancel 3. I just looked at the hours of them and what I could realistically do on my own. I considered preschool drop offs and collections too. I have now safeguarded myself against this happening again by not replacing some when theyve started preschool. I couldn't bare making those decisions so I am back to working on my own.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Tunbridge Wells, Kent
    Posts
    1,378
    Registered Childminder since
    Sept 10
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    as long as you don't go over 6 in an emergency you can go over your numbers and grant yourself a variation......have you got a minder friend who can come over?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Halesowen (Near Rowley Regis)
    Posts
    350
    Registered Childminder since
    dec 12
    Latest Inspection Grade
    OUTSTANDING
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Ok breathhhheeeeeeee

    So would a situation like this be classed emergency? Should i call ofsted? Have one kiddley in at moment so i can do a risk assessment while.they munch brekky ermmm

    I have an under 1 in at 9 will this cause anymore problems?! Yes i do have a minder friend but wether she could make it round here i dont.know......

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Somerset
    Posts
    4,247
    Registered Childminder since
    may 05
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I would grant yourself an emergency variation providing you ask the parents in advance and you are sure you can manage. Do you have to do a school run though, that would be my only concern a) that your could manage to get everyone to school safely and b) that someone wouldn't see you with 5 children and report you.

    I have 7 different children over the week all aged between 11 months and 4 - mostly 3 each day, 4 on a Monday with a variation but obviously I wouldn't have any need to try it but I honestly think that I could have all 7 here at once and would survive. They have all been with me since babies and know my routines.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    in the never never land fighting off fae
    Posts
    7,026
    Registered Childminder since
    july05
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    9

    Default

    There is no ringing ofsted anymore you have to refer to the guidelines.

    Im not sure whether or not this is covered as you took this children on because you had an assistant surely you need an assistant to keep them today. What plan did you put into place if your assistant was unable to work. Did you warn the parents you might not be able to offer care that day?
    When someone tells you nothing is impossible, tell them to go slam a revolving door

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Cheshire
    Posts
    37,504
    Registered Childminder since
    1994
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    21

    Default

    No reason to call Ofsted - they can't help - they will expect you to have contingency in place for emergencies...

    You can keep 4 for continuity of care in exceptional circumstances without that many problems... just do the risk assessment and make sure parents understand what you are doing and why -

    Changes to Conditions of Registration

    5 is theoretically possible but Ofsted inspectors are generally very unhappy about it because they say that children are not getting a high enough level of teaching and care when there are 5 - so please be very, very careful about that one.

    Hth x

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Somerset
    Posts
    4,247
    Registered Childminder since
    may 05
    Latest Inspection Grade
    Outstanding
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sarah707 View Post
    No reason to call Ofsted - they can't help - they will expect you to have contingency in place for emergencies...

    You can keep 4 for continuity of care in exceptional circumstances without that many problems... just do the risk assessment and make sure parents understand what you are doing and why -

    Changes to Conditions of Registration

    5 is theoretically possible but Ofsted inspectors are generally very unhappy about it because they say that children are not getting a high enough level of teaching and care when there are 5 - so please be very, very careful about that one.

    Hth x
    I would follow Sarah's advice then but try ringing the parents and explaining the situation maybe one of them can offer to swap days or has an emergency back up plan of their own. Minding 4 would be easier than 5 and not get you into any arguments with Ofsted.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Posts
    688
    Registered Childminder since
    sept 10
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    In future I would recommend allocating key children to your assistant. Then those would be the ones that would have to stay off if sick and parents would be made aware of this when signing contracts

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Halesowen (Near Rowley Regis)
    Posts
    350
    Registered Childminder since
    dec 12
    Latest Inspection Grade
    OUTSTANDING
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    All parents were made aware when signing up.or reviewing contracts.

    I decided to cancel.the 2 shorter contracts one being a parent.who.doesnt go.to.work but uses my.service so child mixes with.others. Both families were ok.and.happy and understood.

    thanks for advice guys and.hopefully this thread can.help someone in.future or.someone.weighing up.pros and cons of having an.assistant.

    Im so prone to having a flap lol

  11. Likes hectors house liked this post
 

 

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Quick Links and Advertisements

Important Information Links
Some Useful Quick Links
Advertisements

 

You can also find us on:
help asap!! assistant.sick help asap!! assistant.sick help asap!! assistant.sick

We use cookies to make this site as useful as possible. They are small text files placed in your browser to track usage of our site but they don’t tell us who you are.
By continuing to use this site you are consenting to cookies being placed on your computer. Find out more here: Cookies in Use

Childminding Help and the Childminding Forum are part of Childcare.co.uk