Illegal Childcarers
PRESS RELEASE AS SENT TO ALL BEDFORDSHIRE NEWSPAPERS
I would like to inform your readers about a recent shocking increase in the amount of illegal childcarers being brought to the attention of the Bedfordshire Childminding Association.
A childminder is defined as a person, who looks after one or more children under the age of eight years of age, to whom they are not related, on domestic premises for reward, and for a total of more than two hours in any day and is registered. Those who are not registered are illegal childcarers who are breaking the law.
Registered childminders are inspected by Ofsted, their homes inspected for safety and police and health checks are carried out. Illegal, ie non registered childcarers have none of these safety precautions taken. These unregistered persons are very unlikely to have public liability insurance, (most childminders have between 2 & 5 Million pounds of cover), have had training or offer emergency cover. They are often guilty of defrauding the tax office and may find the illegal minding renders their house insurance and car insurance invalid. By far the most import consideration is they may be putting the children they care for at risk.
Registered childminders will have a registration certificate and a public liability insurance certificate. Before you leave your children with someone providing childcare please make sure you see these. Registered childminders will not mind you asking.
If a parent or member of the community suspects someone of operating illegally you can check with the CIS on Tel: 01234-228229. If they are not listed with the CIS report the person involved to Ofsted, on 0845-6014772. If you don’t feel you would like to deal with these official authorities please contact our chair, Tunja or the Project Manager for the National Childminding Association, see contact details, who will pass on your information, keeping your name anonymous.
Registered Childminders are professionals and will provide your children with a loving, caring and safe environment in which to play, learn and develop. Illegal childcarers give the term childminding a bad ‘press’.
If you would like more information on Registered Childminding or how to become a Registered Childminder you can contact the Bedfordshire Childminding Association at:
Chair Bedfordshire Childminding Association,
Email: child.minder@virgin.net
Project Manager National Childminding Association,
NCMA Regional Office,
55 Goldington Road,
Bedford,
MK40 3LT,
Tel:01234 340241
