Outside Tap Advice Needed

**mummyof3** · 11-02-2009, 11:55 AM

I've just received a letter from ofsted

to say I need to write and explain my actions for making the garden safe and it needs to be carried out by 18th Feb

I am waiting for my CRB etc etc so I wasn't planning on minding anyway for at least 8-12wks. Bit of a shock actually she said I had to tell her my actions not actually DO them yet!

Anyway, she also said that she did not like my outside tap - now I know most people have these - what can I do to make it safe?

I said it would be tight so they couldn't switch it on, also I would fully supervise but this wasn't enough

- what else can I do .......

**sarah707** · 11-02-2009, 12:01 PM

Mine has the hose attached to it all the time and the hose is coiled on 2 big hooks fixed high up on the wall. It's got a big black bin that I use for footballs in front of it... I've risk assessed it and it's never presented a problem.

What was the problem with yours? was it too sticky outy or was she worried about children turning it on?

**mummyof3** · 11-02-2009, 12:17 PM

Its sticking out of the wall but she was concerned they could turn the tap on.

**wendywu** · 11-02-2009, 12:19 PM

So they would get a bit wet, its not like it is hot water. Whats the problem

**Minstrel** · 11-02-2009, 12:20 PM

so they'd get wet!

I dont understand the problem here maybe someone could enlighten me. I have an outside tap and have just made sure it drains away properly and doesnt cause a standing water hazard. what else are we supposed to do???

**Minstrel** · 11-02-2009, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by wendywu

So they would get a bit wet, its not like it is hot water. Whats the problem

ooo i'm glad we are thinking along the same lines here!

**crazybones** · 11-02-2009, 12:21 PM

Mine is similar to Sarah's but they plastic playhouse slightly obscures it. Hope they dont come round to me in the summer hols when I am squirting them all with the hose

**pinklady** · 11-02-2009, 01:31 PM

My children seem to get their sleeves drenched upto the elbows just washing hands in the house...they don't need to go outside to get wet

Sometimes I really do wonder.........

Esther xx

**mummyof3** · 11-02-2009, 01:46 PM

Well I've rang osfted and they have agreed to take my garden off the registration for now until I can make it safe. I told them to expect me to complete it in 1wk in this weather was impossible!

I asked about the tap and they said it has to be made safe for the children to not access it and not be able to turn it on. I'm going to try what Sarah does and put a hose on it and attach a reel to the wall and hope this is enough!

If not I'll try and remove the handle off the tap that will stop them turning it on

I give up trying to please ofsted they are in a different league to us mere mortals obviously

**mum22** · 11-02-2009, 01:55 PM

blimey..... heaven forbid a child should get water on them, do they disintegrate then ??? anyone had this happen to them yet ??

right now i have had my bit of sarcasm for today someone else's turn

**Alibali** · 11-02-2009, 02:03 PM

This is ridiculous!! mine use the outside tap in the summer to wash their hands before snack!!! I think these people make things up ax they go along Risk assess it yourself and prove to them you have thought about it. Getting wet!!! My oh My.

**Alibali** · 11-02-2009, 02:04 PM

oh and i hope you don't ket the children wash their hands after toileting, they might get wet, heaven forbid

LOOPYLISA · 11-02-2009, 02:05 PM

Whatever next, my pre reg lady never said a word !!!

**pinklady** · 11-02-2009, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by mum22

blimey..... heaven forbid a child should get water on them, do they disintegrate then ??? anyone had this happen to them yet ??

right now i have had my bit of sarcasm for today someone else's turn

Maybe they think we'll be minding gremlins..

But you only have to avoid getting them wet after midnight!!

Esther xx

**rickysmiths** · 11-02-2009, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by sarah707

Mine has the hose attached to it all the time and the hose is coiled on 2 big hooks fixed high up on the wall. It's got a big black bin that I use for footballs in front of it... I've risk assessed it and it's never presented a problem.

What was the problem with yours? was it too sticky outy or was she worried about children turning it on?

Mine is the same a Sarah but I have also been able to put a small fence infront
it is one of the free standing concertina ones from Kleeneze, it just forms a barrier. I have one at the end of the garden blocking my compost bins as well.

**Tatjana** · 11-02-2009, 02:52 PM

I can't believe i'm reading this, a tap is a hazard? Why is a tap indoors different from a garden tap? Absolutely ridiculous.

xx

**Pauline** · 11-02-2009, 03:24 PM

Well looking at it from Ofsted's point of view a baby can drown in just a small puddle of water so perhaps that is their way of thinking if an older child turned the tap on?

Having said that you wouldn't leave a baby unattended but again their argument would be that you might in a serious emergency or if you were taken ill/injured while the children were outside.

**Minstrel** · 11-02-2009, 03:41 PM

i may have to risk assess how i can stop the rain falling from the sky

**Spangles** · 11-02-2009, 03:44 PM

Gosh it wouldn't have crossed my mind that an outside tap might be a hazard - how odd!

**Heaven Scent** · 11-02-2009, 04:51 PM

Mine is right outside my back door and no one has ever commented on it. So long as the water can drain away and doesn't form a puddle then what is the problem. I think a water tray used for water play or a basin on a low table with water in for washing up or water play can be a much bigger hazard than running water that drains away. Also I wouldn't take the head off the tap as the head usually has rounded ends on it and when you take the head off you are left with a rather dangerous squared off spike sticking up that a child could do serious damage to their face or eye on.

As everyone else says so what if they get wet.