Random knocks at the door!

[rickysmiths]

Gosh I hate to say this but how horrible.

I would hate to have a sign like that in the front garden of my home because it is my home I am not a Nursery or institution.

I think you will find that in a Residential area unless you have Planning Permission that changes the use of your home from 'Domestic' to 'Business' and have permission to have a sign up you need to be careful. Also a neighbour could complain to your local council as well.

I would also have Safeguarding Issues with a sign like that outside adverting that I have small children in the house to strangers driving past. It is different if you near neighbours know but all and sundry? I wouldn't feel very secure being on my own.

Sorry.

I have just been on your someone site, address on your sign for all to see and as a burgler I now know roughly at what times of the day your house is likely to be empty!
I also know your name your dh name your childrens names and how old they are how long you have lived in your present house. This is all information that is useful for identity fraud. I know there is a lot of information out there and this had been discussed on her before. I wouldn't be wanting this kind of information about my family out on a public web site. I was told off when I questioned this sort of thing before and a few members said oh yes well I can find all that info about you but they actually couldn't when it got down to it. They the ones that knew my name found my FIS listing but that was the extent of it. I must say when my children were small I always got Ofsted to leave their ages off my inspection report as well as it is now ones business unless I tell them and it is my children's right to have their privacy preserved.

Sorry I'll get off my soap box now.

[caz3007]

I agree with you Ricky, I dont advertise to all and sundry that I am a childminder because it worries me that it makes me, my family and the children I care for vulnerable. I do tell people I meet in the park that I am a childminder but not my actual address, would pass on my mobile number if anyone was interested.

I have never had someone knocking my door, but have been chased up the road but that was someone who lives on my school run and knew I was a minder cos of all the after schoolies I used to have x

I am very careful about the information about my own son that I have out there in the public domain and only put photos of him on FB that family and close friends can access

[Ripeberry]

Maybe you should put on the board outside. 'Visits by appointment only' Don't think I could stand people knocking on my door all hours of the day/evening and weekends!

[rickysmiths]

I agree with you Ricky, I dont advertise to all and sundry that I am a childminder because it worries me that it makes me, my family and the children I care for vulnerable. I do tell people I meet in the park that I am a childminder but not my actual address, would pass on my mobile number if anyone was interested.

I have never had someone knocking my door, but have been chased up the road but that was someone who lives on my school run and knew I was a minder cos of all the after schoolies I used to have x

I am very careful about the information about my own son that I have out there in the public domain and only put photos of him on FB that family and close friends can access

Thank goodness I'm not the only one. I carry cards which have my mobile and email on but not my address.

[Bridey]

Thank goodness I'm not the only one. I carry cards which have my mobile and email on but not my address.

Me too - none of my literature has my address on it. This is not only to protect my home and my mindees but also to stop people taking my Ofsted number from my online report and claiming tax credits.

[notts]

Well thank you for your useful feedback. A real confidence boost that. Not.

I am merely trying to get a client. Once I have one, I won't have a sign. There will be no need. My Ofsted inspector was happy with my acquisition strategy regardless.

I find your comments about my 'own' not minded childrens safety both unnecessary and irrelevant.

[Mouse]

I once had a dad turn up at my door at 8am with his 2 children asking if I could have them that day! I was really annoyed because another cm had given him my address.

I don't advertise the fact I am childminding here. And I certainly wouldn't let cold callers in while I am working. I don't invite any potential clients round unless I have their address & contact details and we have spoken on the phone. Even then the first visit is always done outside of working hours. I don't have unknown people here when I have minded children present.

[VINASOL]

or one of those 'cold callers not welcome'

I put 'no cold callers' on my door and had someone knock on my door and say "I'm not cold"....grrrrrr

[caz3007]

Well thank you for your useful feedback. A real confidence boost that. Not.

I am merely trying to get a client. Once I have one, I won't have a sign. There will be no need. My Ofsted inspector was happy with my acquisition strategy regardless.

I find your comments about my 'own' not minded childrens safety both unnecessary and irrelevant.

I think you asked for opinions and we are all entitled to our opinions. I dont want to advertise so blatantly that I have young children in the house, but I am not saying its wrong, its your choice. But to be honest your sign is an invitation to people to knock on your door.

I wouldnt like it, often on a sat morning I do the housework in my pj's with birds nest hair and if someone knocked my door, I wouldnt get the work, would scare them

[Mouse]

Well thank you for your useful feedback. A real confidence boost that. Not.

I am merely trying to get a client. Once I have one, I won't have a sign. There will be no need. My Ofsted inspector was happy with my acquisition strategy regardless.

I find your comments about my 'own' not minded childrens safety both unnecessary and irrelevant.

Many years ago there was an incident in our area of people posing as social workers calling at homes and trying to gain access to the children. They mainly targetted parents, but did actually call at a childminder's house as well. It's possibly an over-reaction to a one off situation, but since then I have always been very wary of advertising the fact that this house is used for childminding. Obviously people around here know *****mind, but complete strangers don't.

If you are happy with your advertising, then stick with it. It's obviously getting people interested enough to knock at your door. Perhaps just be wary of inviting them into your house without really knowing who they are. I would take a phone number and tell them you will give them a ring at a more convenient time. Perhaps have your leaflet by the door so they can have a copy of that to read before you phone

[Baildon bears]

Wow I think your sign looks fab, and very inviting, I would think also this is the reason you are getting people dropping in. I would be happy for people to call as long as it was not at a bad time, I don't do airs and graces, I am what I am and if people don't like my setting then that up to them. Thinks its a fab way of getting work when you start out, I would leave it up until someone tells you to take it down, its not harming anyone, but thats just my opinion

[pinkellifun]

ooo didn't know that

I had a look into this and in my area a sign can be 3ft by 2ft (I think, can't remember for definite now) and not have to have planning permission. I found this info out on the council website. I will say though that I had to go through a fairly large document to find out that tiny piece of info so it might be better to ring them and ask.

HTH

[rickysmiths]

Many years ago there was an incident in our area of people posing as social workers calling at homes and trying to gain access to the children. They mainly targetted parents, but did actually call at a childminder's house as well. It's possibly an over-reaction to a one off situation, but since then I have always been very wary of advertising the fact that this house is used for childminding. Obviously people around here know *****mind, but complete strangers don't.

If you are happy with your advertising, then stick with it. It's obviously getting people interested enough to knock at your door. Perhaps just be wary of inviting them into your house without really knowing who they are. I would take a phone number and tell them you will give them a ring at a more convenient time. Perhaps have your leaflet by the door so they can have a copy of that to read before you phone

This is one of the reasons I choose not to advertise with a sign or stickers on my car either. I don't even have a web site. I certainly don't want to put the names and ages of my children on a web site but of course that is my own choice. You just never know who is out there and I am very conscious of being in the house on my own with other peoples children.

It is for this reason as well that I never interview new families for the first time when I am childminding. If they then want to come when I am minding fine.

[rickysmiths]

Well thank you for your useful feedback. A real confidence boost that. Not.

I am merely trying to get a client. Once I have one, I won't have a sign. There will be no need. My Ofsted inspector was happy with my acquisition strategy regardless.

I find your comments about my 'own' not minded childrens safety both unnecessary and irrelevant.

I sorry you feel upset by my comments. I was just expressing how I feel and pointing out a couple of possible areas that might cause a problem in the future for you.

[notts]

I had a look into this and in my area a sign can be 3ft by 2ft (I think, can't remember for definite now) and not have to have planning permission. I found this info out on the council website. I will say though that I had to go through a fairly large document to find out that tiny piece of info so it might be better to ring them and ask.

You are right, good work. My sign is smaller and my house is a business address regardless but you are right in your investigations

My neighbour and a lady around the corner are both CM's. Part of the thinking behind my sign is to advertise to families using/visiting/enquiring at their houses, an awareness generator.

I'm happy with what information I share about my family and how I market it, even if random callers are annoying. It's hopefully going to get me my first client, when I'll no longer need it and my whole strategy will change - ie I will be actually minding children so won't accept random visits, strangers into my setting, exposing them to minded children.

It is my choice with my own children who I talk to/if I talk to them but when I'm minding, my safeguarding policy is in full swing which wouldn't allow this. For my own family purposes mind, I'm a good judge of character, and Mum and Mum always knows best, I would never put me or my children at risk and if all else fails, I have a great big dog