Any advice? I don't know were to go from here!

[jadylasa]

Hi, I'll I'm new to all this posting, so please bear with me.
I have been minding 12 months now and have had this perticular family since March. I have always been very lenient with everything including late pay and late collection, I feel I've gone out of my way on several occasions to help. But now I don't know what to about my current situation......
The children I mind for this family are 2 boys ages 2 and 5 (I only have 5 yr old in school hols) this week the 5 yr old broke his leg on my trampoline!
My trampoline is in sound condition and I have parental permission for the children to use it. The child was simply bouncing on it, but landded funny and broke his leg. I did every thing I'm supposed to do; fisrt aid, call parents, report to ofsted and my insurance etc. But I still feel so bad it happened.
Mum took him to hospital and left her other son with me (we are now out of contracted time and what kind of person would I be to charge for this additional care!!!) She seemed fine with me at the time (obviously upset it happened but pushing no blame even said herself it could of happened at any time) but since then I feel she's been a bit off with me. I need her to read and sign my accident form, she seems reluctant to even read it. She didn't send either child the next day and has let me know today that she wont be sending them tomorow as she needs to look into things and she doesn't feel comfortable!
I understand she feels upset but she said it herself that it was an accident, I just don't know where I stand.
Has anyone else had a similar problem, or can anyone offer any advice?

[miffy]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Did mum say what she was looking into or why she no longer felt comfortable?

As long as you had her written permission for the child to use the trampoline and the child is old enough (according to the manufacturer's guidelines) to be on it, you have made a detailed written account of what happened and notified Ofsted and your insurers then I don't see what else you can do.

Keep a record now of any conversations about the accident and a log of what is happening - eg, showed mum accident report but she didn't sign (date), mum phoned X and Y will not be attending on..... etc, etc. This is just to cover your back.

If you think mum won't send the boys back to you then you need to try and talk to her.

Miffy xx

[breezy]

Miffys right.

Is there a dad, or nan involved? They may have said something to mum thats set her worrying.
At some point as Miffy said you need to find out why mum feels uncomfortable, it could be a guilt thing that something happened to her child and she wasnt there, she maybe just wants some time with them and doesnt feel comfortable leaving them .

[Mookins]

Maybe shes just a little bit upset still...after all its her son and its very upsetting when your child gets hurt.

as already mentioned aslong as your paperwork is all inplace and youve done the various calls etc then id say theres not much you can do

accidents happen

did your trampoline have the enclosure net on fo your minded children? think these are aa must have but could be wrong

xxx

[Pipsqueak]

Will second whats already been said.
I would, however, call NCMA or MM whoever you are with and ask for further advice in approaching this situation.
Perhaps you could send a get well card to the child, sounds pathetic in the circumstances but it will show that you are thinking about them. I would be careful though how you word anything in writing to the parents - hence me saying you need to take advice.

This may be a good time to review your RA's.

The thing is, accidents can and do happen - and this is just what it was - an accident, so of course you are bound to feel awful about it and even worried but don't beat yourself up.

[beerheaven]

Please don't feel bad about this. My daughter, when aged 4, broke her leg on a trampoline.To this day we are unclear how she managed it!! The accident happened at a friend's house who even to this day, 2 years on, is still apologising!! At the end of the day it was an accident - no one was to blame.

As long as you had signed permission and were using the trampoline within the approved guidelines, then you shouldn't blame yourself.

[jadylasa]

Thanks for your responces.

Unfortunaly, I bought the trampoline long before I even concidered childminding and didn't think to keep the leaflet with the guidelines on so I don't know what the manufacures advice on age is. But it does have a surround and I regularly check springs/mat/enclosure etc for signs of wear and tear. Going forward I have now decided to declare the trampoline out of bounds during minding hours (even for my own children).
With regards to other family members; I have never met/spoke or even seen dad, they are divorced, I don't know how much infleuence he has, but mum doesn't speak very highly of him. The only other person is the grandmother, but she came with mum to collect the other child after the hospital, and she was fine with me, telling me how brave the little boy had been.
Mum hasn't said what it is she's looking into.....may be sueing me????! or may be looking at alteritive ways of earning money so she doen't have to leave them???!
I total understand about how she must be feeling, I feel it when my own children so much as stub their toe! But she also has a legal obligation to her contract with me, which includes at least reading the accident form. Also fees are due tomorow and I don't know what her plans for this are. Is she gonna pay me? is she not? is she just having a few days with the kids? is she bringing them back? If not is she going to give me notice or just not come back? I know only she can answer these questions, but I just feel so frustraited, but on the same hand I understand she has a young child with a broken leg and a toddler and obviously has to sort arrangements with work, I know my finances are the last thing on her mind.

[Desi-101]

Oh dear, I remember being told in my training 2 years ago get whatever play equipment and permissions but a trampoline is hazy ground!! only children older than 6 can go on it! even if you get permisson from parent.

I may be corrected but most manufacturors only recommend aged 6 and above!

You may not be covered even though you have parental permission. Call your insurer to make sure but after reading up about it 2 yrs ago I made a decision not to get one even for my son incase one of the other kids I have under 6 want to go on it!

Hope it all works out for you, please keep us posted.

xx

[charlie potato]

I recently did some training with regards of play for the older child. Our tutor said that people in their policies offer a safe environment but that she believes this is incorrect. She stated that life is associated with risk taking and that whilst children are growing up and learning there will always be an element of risk. I knew where she was coming from but parents dont always see this. good luck with it. xx

[jadylasa]

Oh no desi-101 I really hope you're wrong!!! he's 5! but i did phone insurance and gave them ALL the info, and they never said anything about the age, infact they were very reasuring (I'm with NCMA BTW, if it matters, who's MM are the reconmended for childminders?)

I have reviewed my risk assesments, and they are still valid, this accident could not have been avoided unless the trampoline was not in use. SoI have now said on my RA that I am withdrawing the use of the trampoline during minded hours for everyone. It's the only way of limiting this risk.

I have thought about the get well card and have been umming and arring over it, think I might get the kids to make one for him, one of my son's in perticular was really worried about him. Every text/phone call on my part I have asked how he is how he's slept is he eating etc, before I've got into any other conversation. I have also told mum (and the child) how bad I feel over it, not in any way an admition of guilt in that it was my fault, just that I feel sorry for the child, and I wish it didn't happen.

[AliceK]

Oh dear, I remember being told in my training 2 years ago get whatever play equipment and permissions but a trampoline is hazy ground!! only children older than 6 can go on it! even if you get permisson from parent.

I may be corrected but most manufacturors only recommend aged 6 and above!

You may not be covered even though you have parental permission. Call your insurer to make sure but after reading up about it 2 yrs ago I made a decision not to get one even for my son incase one of the other kids I have under 6 want to go on it!

Hope it all works out for you, please keep us posted.

xx

This was my worry with mine. I had the 4 and 5 yr olds who couldn't understand why they couldn't use it. We've now got rid of it. I knew I wouldn't be insured for them to use it.

I hope you can get this sorted.

xxxxxx

[Hebs]

accidents happen, my nephew broke his arm falling out of bed

mum gave permission for him to use it, i would also take photos of the trampoline to sure the general condition (springs safe, safety net etc )

xx

[Mookins]

i think you have to remain positive hun

you have done everything possible and it wsa just an accident

xxxxxx

[PRINCESSDAISYFLOWER]

Sorry to hear this Jadylasa

but as i posted on here once before my friend had something very similar happen to her. The child was 5 (guidelines said 6)

and im afraid to say she got the pants sued off her as insurance was null avoid due to the childs age.

Because she got successfully sued and the court said she was negligent for letting a 5 yr old on the trampoline Ofsted took away her registration


Obviously this is worse case scenario and i pray it doesnt happen to you. Just make sure the mum knows how sorry you are and hopefully she wont have the heart to sue you.

[Lick'le Oakes]

[jadylasa]

Awww, thanks Lick'le Oaks, a group hug is much needed! i'm still waiting to hear from parent as she said she'd call me today. Still don't know where I stand with her.
I really hope it doen't come to your example Princessdaisyflower! That would be awful, I hope she isn't cold enough to put me and my family through that, that would affect our situation so much, if I couldn't mind, I'd have to put my children with a childminder and I have 4, there is no way I could earn enough to justify it!! For now this is my only option. Not to mention the fact that I love my job. Ok the paperwork can be a pain, but I feel the job satisfaction more than makes up for it, hearing a 12 month old saying your name, or helping them with their 1st steps! just generaly seeing their progress and knowing you've played a part in it. Also the time I spend with my children, I've got used to always being there for them!

[carol cameron]

Hi, I have never been in your particular situation but I think we all have times when children hurt themselves and we beat ourselves up about it (if you know what I mean). I just wanted to say that I am sending positive thoughts your way and that I hope the situation is resolved soon for you.

[bekki0405]

Oh dear, I remember being told in my training 2 years ago get whatever play equipment and permissions but a trampoline is hazy ground!! only children older than 6 can go on it! even if you get permisson from parent.

I may be corrected but most manufacturors only recommend aged 6 and above!

You may not be covered even though you have parental permission. Call your insurer to make sure but after reading up about it 2 yrs ago I made a decision not to get one even for my son incase one of the other kids I have under 6 want to go on it!

Hope it all works out for you, please keep us posted.

xx

I was just thinking the same thing while I was reading through this thread. Mine is definitely for 6 years and up, and only 1 at a time.
I let my mindees have 3 minutes each, timed on an egg timer

[bekki0405]

Also I meant to say, I would think this is very raw for her right now, as it is for you.
Give her a little time to calm down, and then maybe suggest you meet, maybe you go to her, to clear the air. Hopefully she will be able to see this was just one of those things.

I hope it goes OK, but keep us updated. I'm sending you a ((((virtual hug))))

[miffy]

Hope she contacts you today and you can talk it over together - I'm sure you'll feel much better once you've spoken about it - it must be awful with it hanging over you.

Miffy xx